by Stephen Waite

Neighbours have raised strong objections against plans for new homes which they have branded "garden grabbing".

An application to build four bungalows behind houses in Borden Lane, Sittingbourne, has been submitted to Swale council.

The applicant, known only as AS and BS, wants to demolish a garage to create a shared drive to the plot, which is at the bottom end of three back gardens.

Borden Lane residents James and Sandra Fassenfelt, who live next to the proposed development, said they were outraged when they found out.

Mr Fassenfelt said: "We feel that it is unacceptable that someone else can just come along and destroy what is the sanctity of your own private garden. We understand the need for housing as it is in short supply. However, this is not the solution."

The Fassenfelts said they did not entirely blame developers or people who sold off their gardens, but suggested the council was responsible for the problem for granting permission.

Mr Fassenfelt said: "There is no doubt that if this permission is granted there will be more instances of this as landowners try to make cash in tight financial times."

Gary Adkins, of Westerham Road, whose garden backs onto the site, said: "The worrying action of garden grabbing appears to be becoming the latest fashion around Sittingbourne."

He said he and his family lived in a "peaceful and disturbance-free atmosphere" and enjoyed a "huge amount of privacy" which would be destroyed. A statement accompanying the application, put together on behalf of the applicant, stressed the proposals were in line with government and council planning guidelines.

It said the proposed homes – two two-bed bungalows and two two-bed chalet bungalows, including garages and parking – would retain the character of the area and added to the "family" housing stock.

The scale and position of the properties, it said, would maintain the privacy of neighbouring homes and every effort would be made to safeguard planting at the boundaries of the site.

A council spokesman said the authority did not have any specific policies relating to development in back gardens. She said a number of its planning guidelines included reference to preventing "town cramming" which can be used to determine whether an application is acceptable. The earliest council planners will make a decision on this application is Monday.