Medway council’s decision to refuse plans for 26 flats in residential area overturned
The scheme was originally for 33 flats but was revised down
A council’s decision to refuse plans for 26 flats in a residential area has been overturned by the planning inspectorate at appeal.
The application, by Freshbloom Ltd, for three blocks of flats on a former quarry in Broom Hill Road, Strood, was rejected by Medway Council in October last year.
In May, the Rainham-based company launched an appeal on the decision and, on September 18, the planning inspectorate ruled in their favour, overturning the authority’s refusal.
The scheme was originally for 33 flats but was revised down ahead of the committee meeting where they sought approval in order to reduce the scale; however, councillors still voted against it.
They said the plans for 10 one-bed flats and 16 two-bed flats across three, four, and five-storey blocks would represent overdevelopment and wouldn’t be within the character of the area.
The application also received 89 letters of objection from local residents, who also raised problems of overlooking of nearby properties by the blocks, the increased pressure on services and additional traffic.
While the planning inspectorate decided in favour of Freshbloom, it didn’t grant the company’s request for Medway Council to pay costs as it believes the authority had not acted unreasonably in refusing the application.
Inspectors visited the site on August 18 and ultimately decided that, although the proposed buildings are significantly taller than those typical of the area, because they were at a lower ground level, being in the former quarry, their impact was reduced.
Medway Council’s lack of a Local Plan also contributed to the decision, as without the five-year plan for housing supply there is an assumption in favour of sustainable development.
The inspectors also said the new homes would benefit the area in the long-term economically and the additional traffic caused by the new residents would not be substantially greater.
Cllr Stephen Hubbard (Lab), who urged the planning committee to refuse the application last year, said the inspectorates decision was disappointing and the council had previously approved an eight-home scheme which was much more suitable.
He said: “Obviously, I’m disappointed at the planning inspectorate’s decision, and my concerns still remain.
“The eight houses approved seemed adequate for the site – this proposal, although it sits in the pit, will still impact the area, particularly through the ingress and egress of traffic from the site.
“It also means all the trees that line the road will disappear, so it will be more open and will represent a significant loss of greenery.
“I think the committee made the right decision to approve the eight-house version which would have been in keeping with the area – but these flats are likely to make more money for the developer.
“It was the right decision to refuse this proposal and I’m very disappointed with the inspectorate’s decision.”
The planning inspectorate published its decision supporting Freshbloom Ltd’s appeal on September 18, granting permission for 26 flats on land at 20 Broom Hill Road, Strood.