Fears part of a town will become a “car ghetto” have resurfaced as developers attempt to overturn the rejection of their bid to build a 250-home estate.
Campaigners were overjoyed when the proposals for land off Ham Road, on the outskirts of Faversham town centre, were dismissed in June, even holding a street party to mark the occasion. However, it appears they now have another battle on their hands.
The land off Ham Road where 250 homes could go. Residents maintain the proposed development will affect services and wildlife across Faversham
Gladman Developments, which previously argued the site “provides a clear opportunity to make efficient use of greenfield land”, has appealed the decision made by planning officers at Swale Borough Council.
It means the application will be decided by the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which could overrule the local authority’s verdict when it makes a decision on March 18.
After the scheme was originally unveiled, residents set up a protest group called Save Ham Farm, arguing the estate could damage wildlife, disrupt historic walking paths and increase congestion and flooding due to the removal of tree cover.
And objectors are now once again adamant the scheme should not go ahead.
Upper Brents resident Frances Beaumont believes the proposed estate is simply not viable for a town she says is already struggling to cope with an influx of new homes.
Faversham residents celebrated the Ham Road development proposal being rejected in June with a street party. But now the decision has been appealed.
The 81-year-old explained: “Anything being built on that space is just crazy really, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed as the plan has always been speculative.
“Housing across Faversham is changing and we just don’t have the capacity for it as we are swamped already.
“There’s no infrastructure with the roads not getting wider, schools not becoming larger and surgeries not getting bigger.”
In response to the latest development, a spokesman for Save Ham Farm said: “Due to this site’s position on the northwest fringes of Faversham, away from shops, schools, and doctors, and with no bus service, any development on this site will inevitably become a car ghetto.
“The only routes in and out of Ham Road are a reminder of the town’s medieval history. The roads are narrow, one-way, and full of pinch points, or they are narrow, congested and heavily polluted.”
Campaigners launched a protest group when Gladman Developments launched the schemeA CGI sumbitted of how the divisive project could look. Picture: DHA Planning
In documents lodged with the appeal, Gladmans argue any harm caused by the project does not outweigh the positives.
The company said: “There is a need in the borough to develop on the best and most versatile [land] if the borough’s housing requirements are to be met.
“The harm does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development.”
In its original application, Gladman said residents of the proposed homes would have brought more than £8 million of spending to the area.
The properties, 87 which would have been affordable, would have provided homes for first-time buyers, they argued.
If given the go-ahead by the Planning Inspector, the development would neighbour two existing schemes – a 26-home estate called The Goldings and the 330-home Faversham Lakes
However, when rejecting the project in the summer, council officers said it could have led to increased flooding, and noted the site was not allocated for homes in the authority’s Local Plan – a blueprint for housing in the area.
They also said the application had failed to provide measures to mitigate its impact on local services.
Had it been approved, the proposeddevelopment would have neighboured two existing schemes – a 26-home estate called The Goldings and the 330-home Faversham Lakes.