Decision on plan for 800 homes to go to inspector

A government inspector will decide whether 800 homes can be built near Wainscott after developers appealed against a delay.

Richborough Estates submitted plans for the site north of the A289 Wainscott Bypass in January, but Medway Council did not rule within the statutory timeframe.

The council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to set out how it would have decided the application.

Officers will set out their case for refusal at the meeting, including that the location is "unsustainable", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Richborough Estates appealed to the Planning Inspectorate on grounds of non-determination, meaning the decision now rests with the secretary of state.

The proposals include 800 homes – 240 affordable – plus a primary school, community centre and retirement home on 50 hectares off Lower Rochester Road.

The bid has drawn 176 objections and opposition from local groups, including Medway Ramblers, parish councils and the Hoo Consortium.

Concerns include traffic, air pollution, loss of agricultural land and pressure on GPs and NHS dentists.

The council says the development would help it meet its housing targets and bring social and economic benefits.

But officers have also highlighted a lack of viable routes for sustainable transport and a loss of agricultural land.

Richborough Estates Ltd, a land promotion company, submitted an appeal to the planning inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination.

This means the authority has not decided in time and so it is passed upwards to a government planning inspector for a final verdict.

The proposals include 800 homes – 240 affordable – plus a primary school, community centre and retirement home on 50 hectares off Lower Rochester Road.

The bid has drawn 176 objections and opposition from local groups, including Medway Ramblers, parish councils and the Hoo Consortium.

Concerns include traffic, air pollution, loss of agricultural land and pressure on GPs and NHS dentists.

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