A controversial development of affordable homes on part of a historic vineyard has been rejected amid an “unheard of” amount of local opposition.

Developers Gold Property initially planned in 2018 to build 19 homes at Lamberhurst Vineyard, but went back to the drawing board after receiving advice from Tunbridge Wells council.

In 2020 the developers altered the plans to instead build 15 properties and then later submitted plans for seven homes in 2021 but withdrew them.

Last year, Gold Property re-applied, having changed the plans again to comply with council officers’ recommendations.

In planning documents submitted to the local authority, Gold Property said: “The vineyard is currently unviable with grape sales being less than the cost of production.”

Council officers were recommending members back the bid prior to the meeting, citing the “sustainable development” of the scheme, and the council’s lack of a five-year supply of housing, which means they have to look more favourably on housing developments

Laura O’Brien, the agent for the applicant, attended the meeting of the council's planning committee on April 12 to speak in support of the bid.

“The application before you is for a small development of seven social rented homes for people on the housing register with a local connection to Lamberhurst,” she said.

“The houses will be retained in perpetuity as social rented affordable housing to be managed by a housing association with strict restrictions on the rent levels that can be charged.

“Although 10 affordable housing units have recently been approved as part of the larger Down Farm development in Lamberhurst, they do not provide the same mix of affordable, accessible homes proposed and are not ringfenced for people with a local connection to Lamberhurst.”

The development was set to include three two-bedroom bungalows - one detached and one semi detached, three three-bedroom terraced houses, and one detached four-bedroom house.

However, opposition to the scheme was strong, with 194 people writing to the planning department prior to the meeting to object to it.

Ms O’Brien said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by some local residents and the organised campaign to gather objections to the proposals.

“It is much more than we would have expected for a small development to provide much needed social housing in the village.

'It is unheard of for any application to garner 194 objections'

“However, it seems that the objectors are principally concerned with the fact that more housing might come forward on other parts of the vineyard and surrounding areas in the future, but that isn’t what we’ve proposed.

Goudhurst and Lamberhurst representative Cllr Dr Linda Hall (Con) attended to speak against the development, saying: “I have served on this planning committee for 20 years, it is unheard of for any application to garner 194 objections, it simply confirms the outrage of the Lamberhurst community,” receiving applause from residents in attendance.

Lamberhurst resident John McNamara was the first of several residents to speak at the meeting.

He raised fears the plans were the “thin end of the wedge”.

“When will we hear about phase 2, 3, and 4, involving many more dwellings?” he asked.

“I cannot think of a less appropriate place to start building,” he added.

Mr McNamara and others argued that, as a 26-home development in the village at Spray Hill was approved last month, including 10 affordable homes, no more developments of affordable housing are needed.

Objectors also argued the plans were contrary to Lamberhurst’s Neighbourhood Development Plan - a document which planning authorities such as TWBC have to take into account when deciding planning matters.

Resident Sarah Woodcock added: “The village should not have more affordable housing just because another parish council is failing to provide.”

Cllr Graham White - chair of Lamberhurst Parish Council - told members the plans will "drastically affect a treasured asset in our village: Lamberhurst vineyard, which is one of the oldest in England”.

Villager Tim Cornick added the bid would “destroy permanently part of the vineyard, which is the single most iconic site in Lamberhurst”.

During the debate, committee member Cllr Raymond Moon (Lab) said: “It’s not perfect, I accept that, but my overall feeling is that the social housing is definitely a need.

'I cannot think of a less appropriate place to start building'

“There are many in the villages that cannot afford affordable housing, no one locally who’s got a job can afford an affordable house.

“Overall I do support the application.”

Cllr Alex Britcher-Allan (Lab) also praised the plans for more social housing, and said: “As much as I appreciate the anxieties of residents and the concerns of parish council I will be supporting this.”

Cllr Jamie Johnson (Lib Dem) opposed the scheme, saying it would “stick out like a sore thumb” and be a “blot on the landscape”.

“I appreciate what everyone’s saying about the social housing but personally speaking that should be found somewhere else,” she added

The planning committee voted by eight votes to four to oppose the development.

Speaking after the meeting, cabinet member for housing and planning Cllr Hugo Pound (Lab) said: “Tunbridge Wells is the only district or borough in Kent whose 25-49 year old population is diminishing, not increasing.

“And the reason that our 25-49 year old population is going down is that we don’t have enough housing for young people and families and they can’t afford to move here

“We have to have housing, it is just ridiculous how people resist the idea that we need to be building housing.

“You’ve got to have new, young families coming into the borough to give economic and social vitality and vibrancy, and we’re not achieving that really at the moment.”