Up to 50 homes at Hoplands Farm, Island Road, Hersden

“The application site is an open, mostly rectangular agricultural field in clear view of the highway and other public vantage points. It is almost flat, with the topography of the land falling away to the south.”

“It is located opposite two storey housing to the north, it has vacant land to the south which falls away to the railway tracks beyond. Further south are the Stodmarsh and Westbere Lakes. To the east are some residential properties and the MOT testing Station. To the west is the newly completed (Redrow) residential estate and an industrial unit, which is used by East Kent Colleges as a training centre in construction skills.”

“CA/16/00404 - Outline planning application for a neighbourhood extension for the creation of up to 250 houses including affordable housing, neighbourhood centre (comprising Class A1 foodstore (400sq.m), Class D1 medical centre (380sq.m), Class D1 dentist (150sq.m), Class A1 pharmacy (150sq.m), Class D1 nursery (120sq.m) and Class A1 convenience retail (360sq.m)), commercial estate (comprising Class B1 business floorspace (up to 5572sq.m), Class D1 apprenticeship centre…”

“The proposal is an outline application for up to 50 residential dwellings with all matters reserved except for the point of access onto the site. The site forms the business park component of the approved outline application for the neighbourhood extension (16/00404) and the Reserved Matters approval of 5,400 sq m (GIA) for the Business Campus.”

“CCC Open Space - Fixed play space should be provided on the site (for 50 dwellings this would be a minimum of 0.035 hectares), whilst other open space typologies (Parks and Gardens, Green Infrastructure, Amenity Open Space, Outdoor Sport, Allotments and Semi- Natural Space) could be provided off site, through a financial contribution towards the Hersden Recreation Ground Masterplan improvements.”

“Environment Agency - No objections subject to safeguarding conditions being imposed covering land contamination and drainage. As surface water is proposed to be discharged to watercourses, and not to the ground, no objections are raised.”

“Loss of wildlife • Impact upon local infrastructure • Impact of development over the former mines • There is a need for traffic calming measures…”

“Hersden Parish Council - Objects to the development on the basis that there are too many planned developments already and the approved business development on the site would bring employment opportunities and is preferred.”

“A proposal was put that planning permission be GRANTED for the development described in the above application, with an amendment to condition 5 to include the provision of an equipped play space 0.035 hectares in area within the development and an informative recommending that this play area is centrally located and overlooked.”

“When put to a vote, the proposal was AGREED.”