Maidstone Housing Trust to appeal against Planning decision

Maidstone Housing Trust intends to appeal to the Government's Planning Inspectorate after an application for planning permission for a site in Maidstone was turned down.

On Thursday 1 November the Maidstone Borough Council Planning Committee rejected an application to build a development of 12 apartments on a site in York Road, Maidstone. The site is currently underused garages and the land is owned by the Trust.

Chris Blundell, the Trust's Director of Asset Management and Regeneration said "We are extremely disappointed in the reaction of the Planning Committee to our application for the site at York Road and will be lodging an appeal with the government's Planning Inspectorate."

"When this land belonged to Maidstone Borough Council they commissioned a study which recommended putting 18 two bedroom flats on this site. When we acquired the land we reconsidered the site and the most suitable use for it. Our proposed development sits on the lowest point of the site, with a low profile, curved roof."

"We recognise the sensitivity of the site and have consulted fully with Councillors, planning officers, the conservation officer, KCC Highways and English Heritage in the development of these plans. Following encouragement from the planning officers and a number of committee members we progressed with our plans, with considerable investment."

"We feel this a high quality scheme, sensitive to the local area, and would provide much needed affordable rented housing for local people on the Council's housing register including homeless cases."

date published: 07/11/2007