Campaigners have expressed bitter disappointment after a planning inspector approved a new 300-home estate in a Kent village.
Littlebourne Parish Council and residents were left to fight the appeal after Canterbury City Council chiefs ruled there were insufficient legal grounds to challenge the application.
Parish council chairman Peter Farrow called the decision “a huge disappointment” after the inspector rejected their appeal against the scheme, brushing aside fears over flooding, sewage, and traffic.
“But it’s only outline permission, which leaves key issues we raised, including flooding risk and sewage management, still to be resolved,” he told KentOnline.
The development, submitted by Gladman Developments, covers 40 acres of farmland between The Hill and Bekesbourne Road.
Plans include a community hub, a play area, and housing for the elderly.
Although city council planning officers had recommended approval, committee members initially rejected the scheme following overwhelming resident objections.
Officers then declined to defend the members’ decision at the hearing, leaving villagers in a “David versus Goliath” battle with developer experts.
The inspector took just under two weeks to recently rule that the proposal offered “substantial benefits”, though with a series of conditions.
Now, Cllr Farrow has warned the strain on the drainage system could rise by up to 50%, with Southern Water tasked with creating adequate capacity.
The inspector said the developer would be required to work with Southern Water to meet demand.
Other concerns, including the impact on the countryside, loss of farmland, pollution threats to a chalk stream, and extra traffic, were also considered.
The inspector concluded the development would cause only “moderate” harm to the landscape in the first few years, before landscaping took effect.
He noted the loss of farmland was outweighed by the urgent need for housing, which is not currently being met. Conditions could also ensure adequate drainage and traffic management.
Summing up, he said the benefits, including affordable homes, “very substantially” outweighed any harm, supporting the granting of permission.
City councillor Lee Castle described the outcome as “bitterly disappointing.”
He added: “While the decision represents a significant milestone for the applicant, further submissions and approvals will be required before any building work can commence. “The parish council, the action group, and I as city councillor will continue to engage in the planning process as the remaining details are brought forward.”
