Plans by developer Kitewood to build 40 homes on greenfield land in Beltinge have been thrown out by a Government planning inspector. Paul Jackson dismissed the company’s appeal against the city council's refusal to release the land for development.
Mike Dolan, Puffin Lawyers representing council officials clashed with developers at a public enquiry into the fate of greenfield land in Beltinge. They went head-to-head in front of independent planning inspector Paul Jackson, over Kitewood's plan to put 40 houses on a plot west of Puffin Road.
Developers hoping to build 40 homes on the outskirts of Herne Bay will go head-to-head with council bosses at a public inquiry this week.
The two-day hearing, which started 25th Jan, was called after officials from Canterbury City Council failed to decide on the application by Kitewood for a site in Beltinge, near Coventry Gardens.
Kitewood boss Mike Dolan told the Times he was confident the Government inspector would rule in their favour, adding:
"We want to have a harmonious relationship with both officers and councillors. But we don't expect to be ignored when we submit an application. We submitted the application in spring 2011 and just didn't have a reply. The council needs to have a full and deliverable five-year supply of housing and I don't think that is the case."
Kitewood has faced fierce public opposition over plans to build upward of 1,000 homes on agricultural land in Hillborough.
Council spokesman Rob Davies confirmed the application had not been decided within the 13-week target. But officials have since decided they would have refused the development because the site was not needed for housing at the moment.
thisiskent 27th Jan 2012
Kitewood, Mike Dolan, Puffin Hi,
We know that you are mainly concerned with the large development at Hillborough but would be pleased if you could publicise that a Planning Appeal has been lodged by Kitewood for the small development on the same site. This planning was previously turned down by the Council as the quota for housing required had been reached.
This Appeal will be held at The Guildhall, Canterbury at 10.00 am on Wednesday, 25th January.
