A section of Senacre community field has been sold by the council as part of a road-widening scheme, despite residents not being consulted.

The 414 square metre arc of the land off Betsham Road, behind Maidstone Skills and Community Centre, is needed to widen Gore Court Road to 5.5 metres.

The mature hedgerow that borders the field will be torn down and replacement hedging planted about two metres further back, with fencing already erected and work under way on this part of the project.

It is seen as necessary due to the increase in vehicles from the recently approved 250-home Bicknor Green estate, with many objectors to the development citing an increase in traffic as their main concern.

But the required land, which was owned by Maidstone Borough Council and used by Senacre residents, was sold to Bellway for an unknown amount at the end of July without any consultation.

Gordon Newton, borough councillor for Otham and Downswood, said he had fought against Bicknor Green as no section 106 money had been pledged to build a much-needed new community centre, and he had also objected to the Senacre field part of the scheme.

He said: “The council said part of Senacre field was ‘surplus to requirements’ and sold it without consulting residents.

“Bellway already ripped out one hedgerow without permission, which they were made to replace at considerable cost. I secured a condition work on the road will not start until a new mature hedgerow has been planted and allowed to take hold. Anything short of that is unacceptable and I will be making sure it happens.

“It’s an absolute disgrace what is going on in respect of planning in Maidstone. No one is being consulted on anything and people’s views are ignored.”

An MBC spokesman said residents were consulted on the overall Bicknor Green project, which included the road-widening project aspect. However, the plans made no mention of Senacre field. She said the amount the land was sold for was commercially sensitive.

For information on the development, go to bit.ly/bicknorgreen