Countryside campaigners are preparing to fight a scheme for a vast holiday and retirement village to the south of Canterbury.

The backlash – including the potential threat of a judicial review – comes after the Kentish Gazette unveiled plans to build on an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) at Highland Court Farm, near Bridge.

The ambitious scheme includes 300 luxury holiday houses, 150 retirement homes, a 50-acre business park, a health club and spa, and a new £4 million home for Canterbury Rugby Club.

But it has been met with “supreme incredulity” and “dismay” by the Canterbury District Green Party and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), which both say it should remain untouched.

Green Party spokesman Dr Geoff Meaden says developers “cannot be allowed to make a fast buck” at the expense of some of the area’s most precious countryside.

“It is with supreme incredulity that I have just absorbed these proposals,” he said.

“With vast swathes of development already in the pipeline, it is the last thing the people of south Canterbury and Bridge need.

“If we are going to let developers pick and choose these precious areas for their financial gain, then we may as well abandon all planning rules.”

The scheme is being drawn up by landowner Highland Investment Company (HICO) and developer Mark Quinn.

Dr Meaden says national planning policy insists that “great weight” should be given to conserving landscape in AONBs.

He said: “HICO managing director Gary Walters seems to think that more human intervention in AONBs equals more pleasure and that more of the naturally beautiful landscape should be opened up so that even more people can benefit.

“So why not put in a fun fair or artificial ski-slopes to utilise the hilly Kent Downs – there are no end of thrills and experiences that could be achieved.

“Does Mr Walters think that this approach is sustainable? “Hasn’t he noticed that almost the whole panoply of our wildlife has been declining at unprecedented rates, primarily because there are too many developers around to whom a fast buck is far preferable to unspoiled, naturally beautiful countryside?

“For the sake of those who may follow us, please leave our AONBs in tranquillity and peace.”

Kent CPRE spokesman Barrie Gore says the plans could likely be challenged in court: “I’m surprised and dismayed to see these plans and can’t think of a worse place to put a scheme like this.

“It’s not even a modest proposal. The CPRE recently won a case against development in an AONB near Dover after we submitted a judicial review, and we shall certainly be preparing an objection to this.”

Mark Quinn, of Quinn Estates, says he wants to work with the CPRE and the AONB committee “for the betterment” of the landscape.

He says the special status of the area does not mean it cannot be developed, adding it has been achieved successfully elsewhere. He said: “I accept we have some high hurdles to get over, but it is going to be a landscape-based and managed development, including tree planting, which I believe will actually enhance it.

“We have a reputation for quality development and doing things well. I don’t want my kids growing up hearing stuff like ‘your dad was responsible for that mess’.
“I think that when people see the detail, they will appreciate it makes some sense and we are working for the betterment of the countryside.”