An application for 10 new houses branded ‘totally bonkers’ for its parking and pedestrian access has been rejected.

Swale’s planning committee voted unanimously last week against plans for new homes on agricultural land east of Lynsted Lane, in Lynsted, near Sittingbourne.

Whilst the proposal was for only 10 homes, the developers made clear in their submission to the local plan consultation that the ultimate aim is to build 50 houses on the plot.

It was stated that the new homes would cause traffic congestion and air pollution in the narrow lane.

Julien Speed, chairman of Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council, said: “I don’t understand why the officers recommended approval in the first place.

“This application was so deeply flawed that not one single member of the planning committee voted in favour.

“There may be a lack of housing supply in Swale but that’s no reason to build houses in the wrong place.

“Lynsted Lane already has restricted width, poor alignment and a sub-standard junction with the A2. It can’t cope with any more traffic.

“Yet the developers came up with a hare-brained scheme to narrow the lane still further, making it even harder for agricultural and emergency vehicles as well as buses to get through.

“And pedestrian access was through a busy joinery yard. Totally bonkers!”

During the discussion it was explained that residents who currently park their cars outside their own homes would be forced to park further down the lane on a blind bend.

Mr Speed added: “The planning committee did a really professional job, taking time out to inspect the site and see the highways and access issues for themselves. This is a victory for common sense.”

After the unanimous vote, Swale’s head of planning, James Freeman, decided to ‘call in’ the application.

This means a report will be prepared looking at any reasons why the developer might win if they were to appeal and the cost implications for ratepayers if the council was to lose.

This then gets referred back to the planning committee for a final decision.