Sevenoaks District Council has rejected plans to build hundreds of new homes in Edenbridge.

An application to construct up to 300 properties and over 2 hectrates of public space on land west of St John's Way and Enterpise Way was submitted for consideration earlier this year.

But plans have now been thrown out by councillors amid claims the site could flood up to once every five years.

A council spokesman said a number of reasons were given for the refusal.

Planning bosses are concerned the proposal would be out of character with the surrounding area and said although the application indicates it would provide 40% affordable housing, there was no evidence of this in documents.

Concerns over the size of the development and potential traffic issues were further issues raised at the meeting held on May 28.

The Environment Agency objected to plans because the site lies within a flood zone.

"This is land that should be allowed to flood during an event and will flood as often as 1 in 5 years" - Environment Agency

In a written statement it said: "This is land that should be allowed to flood during an event and will flood as often as 1 in 5 years. The road, allotments, kickabout area and other communal areas, which are located within Flood Zone 3b, would therefore be flooded on a regular basis and will be waterlogged – wet for most of the year and may prove to be unusable."

Edenbridge Town Council objected to the proposal and gave 37 individual reasons. In a report it said:

"Members would wish to see housing of similar density to that existing on the Beeches Estate, as this would be in keeping with the area.

"The current Doctors' Surgery is already running at an estimated shortfall of ½ a doctor and has an urgent need to find new premises.

"Any expansion to the number of places required at local primary schools would require additional classrooms and other facilities being provided. Currently there is no secondary school in Edenbridge and insufficient places are available at schools within a reasonable distance."

When the proposal was submitted the applicants, Cooper Estates Ltd, said the development would make a significant contribution to meeting existing unmet housing need in the district.

They now have the option to appeal the council's decision or re-submit an advised application.