A developer has formally submitted plans for a new estate just weeks after neighbours raised fears over a lack of infrastructure in the village and potential flooding.
Cantium Land and Development announced it had earmarked a plot of land in Smarden, near Ashford, for 35 “much-needed” homes in March.
But during the consultation, residents labelled the plan “diabolical” amid fears the village is getting swamped with housing.
This is said to be leading to an increase in vehicles on the roads and the number of potholes.
They also say the proposal would affect wildlife, such as breeding barn owls, on what is a Flood Zone 1 area – which has the lowest probability of flooding.
However, two months on and the Faversham-based company has applied to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) for full planning permission for the 5.2-acre estate in Water Lane.
The developer maintains the homes would benefit Smarden and the borough – despite residents previously declaring it is all “build, build, build” in the village.
Planning documents, submitted by Ian Bull Consultancy on behalf of Cantium, say: “There were a number of constructive comments supporting the delivery of affordable housing and a request that any Section 106 [funding] includes contributions to the Smarden Primary School.
“Concerns were raised that related to various factors outside the control of the applicants, including the impact on schools, doctors, highways and drainage.
“However, contributions will be made towards infrastructure requirements through a S106 agreement.”
During the consultation, one resident said: “I can’t believe this would get the go-ahead. This land floods every time the river breaks its banks.
“It seems to be build, build, build regardless – we won’t have any green land left soon.”
But the planning documents say: “The development is located solely in this area (Flood Zone 1) to reduce risk of future water damage or flooding. Sustainable drainage systems will be proposed to reduce the risk of any surface water flooding.”
Cantium says the application should also be approved because ABC can no longer “demonstrate a five-year housing land supply”.
Yet the site, which is currently grassland, does not feature in ABC’s Local Plan up to 2030.
If rubber-stamped, it would comprise a mix of 35 detached, semi-detached and terraced homes.
Twenty-one would be private houses, of which 12 would have at least four bedrooms and nine would have three bedrooms. The remaining properties would be made up of four social homes and 10 affordable houses.
A total of 97 car parking spaces and 70 cycle spaces are proposed, with vehicles accessing the site towards the north of Water Lane.
The development will also allow for an extension to the nearby burial ground, which is almost at capacity.
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Cantium’s director Julian Wilkinson previously told KentOnline: “We have a national housing crisis. We have consistently failed to deliver sufficient homes over many years, and Ashford Borough Council is currently subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
“Pre-application meetings have taken place with the relevant highway and drainage authorities, who have raised no issue with the proposals.
“The proposal is relatively modest at 35 houses, so it is not large enough to provide its own infrastructure, but significant financial contributions will be made towards local services, including schools.
A decision on the application is expected by August 12.
