A plan to build 14 flats close to Ashford town centre has been rejected for a third time.

Developers hoped to build the apartments on land next to the roundabout between New Street and Magazine Road.

But the main issues highlighted by the council's decision are the lack of off-street parking, and the use of a private access road off Kent Avenue.

An original 14-apartment plan emerged for the 0.3-acre site in 2010, but the scheme was refused in December that year.

Then, in February 2017, a similar proposal was thrown out by Ashford Borough Council's planning committee.

Despite unanimous refusal among councillors, planning agent BTL Design resubmitted the proposal on behalf of developer Sideland Property Holdings Limited in May 2020.

A design and access statement noted how "it was refused for one ground relating to the use of the existing access track to provide vehicular access to the development".

It added: "As the applicant did not have the opportunity to lodge an appeal against that decision, due to the option on the land expiring, the scheme is being resubmitted, to allow for discussions with officers to continue with a view to resolving the issue raised by the committee."

It noted that planning officers at the time had recommended approval and identified the access and parking as compliant with required standards.

However the planning authority has again refused permission for the 13 apartments and one studio flat.

The authority's report states: "The proposed additional use of the private access to the rear of properties in Kent Avenue would be likely to lead to conflict between existing and proposed users by virtue of the access roads substandard nature and in particular narrow width, to the detriment of amenity and contrary to the national planning framework."

Furthermore the applicant couldn't ensure the development, which was set to feature a mix of one and two-bed flats, would not have an impact on the Stodmarsh lakes conservation area near Canterbury.

Housing projects across east Kent - including Ashford - have been held up in recent months after poor water quality levels were found at the internationally important nature reserve.

Experts discovered waste water discharges from existing housing developments filtering into the River Stour catchment area and Stodmarsh’s lakes were the cause of the problem at the reserve.

The ABC report also said sufficient developer contributions could not be secured, as well as reiterating concerns over parking.

It reads: "The proposed scheme would provide insufficient off-street parking... [and would be] likely to lead to increased parking pressures in the surrounding area detrimental to the amenities of local residents and highway safety."

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