Plans for a 100-house development have been sent back to the drawing board after councillors refuse to approve it.

Concerns over affordable housing and the neighbouring listed buildings are among the reasons why the development in Tenterden was not green-lighted by Ashford Borough Council this week.

Chatham-based Redrow Homes designed a housing estate filled with two-storey homes and three blocks of flats in Tilden Gill Road.

However elected officials on the planning committee at Ashford Borough Council rejected the plans and deferred the application.

Paul Young, who lives in the listed Belgar Farmhouse, spoke out against the development on behalf of his neighbours.

He said: "We are all of the view that the current proposals are simply not good enough.

"They don't protect the setting of the listed building, they have not shown the trees will be unaffected and the design ignored existing and easily noticeable constraints."

Mr Young claims the design is "inappropriate and damaging" to the setting of the listed buildings, which are warmed by a "often noisy" biomass heating system.

He added: "The feeder for the boiler is immediately located on the boundary, it can be noisy and we are surprised Redrow Houses have done nothing to screen the potential residents, who may find this noise to be a nuisance."

"We are all of the view that the current proposals are simply not good enough..." Paul Young

John Crawford from the Tenterden Town Council raised concerns that the proposed location of the block of flats "compromises the landscape character".

He added the council are in favour of affordable housing but suggested moving the plans further away from the listed buildings.

Representing the developers, Kathryn Waldron from Urbanissta said: "The layout has been the result of negotiation and detailed amendments.

"Redrow has sought to create a scheme that preserves and enhances the listed building with additional planting and screening that will not inadvertently affect the special interest of the property."

Despite Ashford council officers recommending the current plans, elected officials decided to postpone a decision so the developers can address the issues raised.