Developer wins appeal to build 24 village homes

A DEVELOPER has won its appeal to build 24 homes in a picturesque village, despite fears over road safety.

- By MARY HARRIS

The plan for St Mary's Platt, from Rydon Homes, which had been under the name B.Yond Homes Ltd throughout the planning process but switched its name before appealing, was rejected last April by Tonbridge and Malling District Council.

But a planning inspector has given permission for the scheme on just over three acres in Platinum Way, which has the A25 Maidstone Road to the south, and a railway line and then Platt Industrial Estate to the north.

Rydon Homes said half of the homes would be affordable housing.

Before the inquiry opened, the borough council withdrew from defending its stance. The inspector said the council accepted it could not demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land, based on a need of 1,097 new homes a year, along with a 20 per cent buffer, against the revised National Planning Policy Framework.