Kent Village Faces Near-50% Expansion as Council Withdraws Opposition

A contentious housing development aiming to increase the population of Littlebourne by nearly 50% is now poised for approval after local councillors decided not to defend their earlier rejection of the project. The developer, Gladman Homes, proposes to construct 300 homes near Howletts Animal Park, a plan that has faced strong opposition from residents since it was first submitted in April 2023.

The initial decision by Canterbury City Council (CCC) to reject the application in July was marked by warnings from planning officials. Simon Thomas, the head of planning, cautioned that rejecting the proposal without sufficient evidence could lead to a costly defeat in an appeal process. He emphasized the need for robust justifications, particularly regarding concerns over sewage management, which he asserted could be controlled through appropriate planning conditions.

Despite these alerts, councillors unanimously voted against the development, citing risks associated with pollution, inadequate transport links, and potential damage to the rural character of the village. Residents expressed their concerns vehemently at the July meeting, with over 300 letters of objection submitted. Local parish councillor Melanie Moore warned that the development would exacerbate existing sewage issues, stating, “In times of high rainfall, sewage is backing up into people’s toilets. Imagine what it will be like with 46% more people in Littlebourne.”

Former Environment Agency ecologist Richard Andrews added that the development could threaten the Little Stour river, which is considered a rare chalk river. He urged the council to prioritize the ecological impacts of the project, highlighting the legal responsibility to assess the river’s health.

After the rejection, Gladman Homes promptly filed an appeal, prompting a re-evaluation by the council. In a letter to residents on November 11, Simon Thomas confirmed that the planning committee had decided not to contest the appeal. He indicated that councillors had concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to uphold their earlier refusal.

According to meeting minutes, the decision came after legal advice was closely considered. Out of the voting members, eight opted not to defend the refusal, one voted to continue the opposition, and four abstained. Councillor Lee Castle of the Liberal Democrats, who had previously condemned the plans as “a car-dependent sprawl in a rural village,” noted the significant financial risk of pursuing the appeal without a solid foundation. He stated that continuing the fight could result in substantial costs awarded against the council, a burden that would ultimately fall on local taxpayers.

If the Planning Inspectorate determines that CCC acted improperly in denying the application, the council might be liable for the developer’s legal fees, which could have escalated had they contested the appeal. Castle assured residents that if the project moves forward, he will advocate for strict regulations to ensure that wastewater disposal and surface water management are addressed adequately to mitigate environmental harm.

The planning inquiry is set for February 2024, where the Inspector has indicated that interested parties will have the opportunity to present their views. A spokesperson for CCC confirmed that council officers would attend the inquiry, advocating for stringent conditions if planning permission is granted. They reiterated that development would not commence until satisfactory arrangements for wastewater disposal and surface water management are established.

Gladman Homes has been approached for comment regarding the latest developments.