A block of new social housing is to be built in Chatham despite suggestions it could exacerbate the childhood obesity problem in the area.

MHS Homes’ application for six two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats on green space at the end of Hampshire Road was approved by 12 votes to one last Wednesday.

Cllr Gloria Opara (Con) spoke against the proposal claiming the loss of some of the site would prevent children from exercising and enjoying the outdoors.

Although she accepted there were other green spaces in the area, she claimed youngsters were not able to utilise them due as they are unable to cross the busy North Dane Way safely.

Cllr Opara told members: “The usual issues of parking and overbuild is an issue here, however, we’re not going to focus on that so much.

“What you see regarding open space is there is a very busy road running parallel, so the children on the proposed development site don’t actually have anywhere to go.”

The ward councillor went on to say the loss of open space could “further worsen” the growing number of overweight children in Princes Park. But planning committee members were unconvinced, concluding that some of the area – which is not regularly used anyway – will remain green, while there are sufficient facilities nearby.

Cllr Adrian Gulvin (Con) added: “I agree we’ve got far too much child obesity, but we’ve also got a problem with the lack of suitable affordable housing. The aerial view shows pretty comprehensively Princes Park is pretty well endowed with open space. I think it’s more about encouraging children to use the open space there already is.”