Hundreds of homes could be built in a rural part of the Kent countryside despite fears it could “completely change the character” of the area.
Taylor Wimpey has submitted an outline application to build 450 homes on the Hoo Peninsula, between Hoo and Chattenden.
The plans also factor in a local centre for a community hall and shops, allotments, and play areas.
However, the proposals have already been met opposition from deputy leader of the Independent Group on Medway Council, and ward councillor for Hoo St Werburgh and High Halstow, Cllr Michael Pearce.
He labelled them “predatory” and is calling on residents to vote in favour of the upcoming Hoo and Chattenden Neighbourhood Plan in order to prevent the plans, as well as the Gladman Developments Ltd application which was submitted in August 2023 for 240 homes on a site adjacent.
In a video posted to his social media, Cllr Pearce said: “This Neighbourhood Plan will protect beautiful spaces and areas like this so it’s very important you turn out and vote.
“The community as a matter of urgency as a first step needs to turn out and vote on Thursday November 7 and vote yes to the Neighbourhood Plan. Help us to help protect our community from these predatory developments.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Pearce added: “This development will join Hoo and Chattenden together which is completely unacceptable.
“This development will also completely change the character of the Hoo Peninsula, particularly as you enter coming up Four Elms Hill and Peninsula Way.
“The principle of this proposal is completely unacceptable. Medway Council needs to refuse this application like they did last time with the Planning Inspector also dismissing the appeal.”
The site was previously the subject of an application for 475 homes in 2014, but these plans were refused by Medway Council in April 2015, with officers saying the scheme was “unsustainable” and would harm the landscape.
Councillors unanimously refused the application and called the developers “outsiders” and “chancers”.
Cllr Pearce says nothing has changed since the last application but Taylor Wimpey insist they have adapted the plans significantly since the last bid.
Developers would have to apply again with detailed plans of how the development would look, how it would cope with the new residents in terms of infrastructure, and how it would mitigate its impact on the environment.
However, in the documents accompanying the application there is a layout of the houses as well as the open spaces, play areas, and allotments for the site.
It also states the designers have considered characteristics of houses and other buildings in the nearby villages in order to create plans which match the surrounding area.
Nick Fenton, chairman of the Kent Housing and Development Group, a forum for housing organisations across the county, said such developments could bring needed investment to the Peninsula – but developers need to strike the right balance to benefit the area long-term.
He explained: “There are a whole host of reasons that the Hoo Peninsula is popular with housebuilders right now, and while this can be unsettling for existing communities in terms of adjusting to change, it can provide the investment in services areas desperately need.
“Housebuilders need to show in planning terms that they have done everything they can in their planning application to prove that the benefits of their scheme outweigh any negative impact.
“The challenge whether you’re a local housebuilder, planning authority or affected local community is getting the balance right – working together for developments that, in the round, benefit an area for the long term.”
He added that often developments need to be of a certain size in order to be able to afford to make contributions to local infrastructure.
The original application in 2014 received more than 1000 letters of objection from locals, and the 2023 application by Gladman Developments Ltd for 240 homes on the adjacent site has also received 28 objecting letters.
The new application for the site off Main Road and Ratcliffe Highway was submitted on October 3 and is open for responses from residents.
The council has set a target date for making a recommendation to councillors of January 2 2025.
To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area,
The referendum on the Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Plan is to take place on November 7
Residents living within the boundary of the 2740 hectare neighbourhood area will get to vote on rules which will apply to all further planning applications.
