Council officers have recommended that planning permission is given for 187 homes in Barming , despite MPs calling for building to halt in the area because of recent sinkholes.

Developer Taylor Wimpey wants to build the houses on land off Oakapple Lane, known locally as the pea fields, but the plans have been met with fierce opposition by nearby residents, over sinkhole fears and a list of other concerns.

In 2018, a huge hole opened up near the Tonbridge Road junction, with repairs blocking off part of the road for five months.

It was one of several which appeared that year, with others forming in Broomshaw Road and on the Orchard Fields estate.

Last month, a hole was found on a reservoir, off Hermitage Lane, managed by South East (SE) Water, prompting MPs Helen Grant and Tracey Crouch to ask the Government for an urgent halt to house building.

SE Water said it had monitored the latest sinkhole which opened up on September 25, and had found no further ground movements during daily surveys.

A site investigation report which accompanied the application aknowledged the recent sinkholes, but recommended that ground conditions can be managed through the design of foundations and infrastructure.

Campaign group Give Peas A Chance, who object to the application, say it will result in more traffic, particularly on Hermitage Lane, loss of countryside and impact wildlife.

There have also been warnings of noise from a quarry next to the site, where Kentish Ragstone is mined.

A report commissioned by Taylor Wimpey found there would be an adverse impact on the closest of the proposed homes, but concluded the noise would "not be prohibitive" if measures such as acoustic glazing and garden fencing were implemented.

The field is currently used for dog walking, cycling and running by nearby residents.

The application is set to be decided tomorrow evening at a Maidstone Borough Council planning committee meeting, but ahead of this, officers have recommended it for approval, subject to legal agreement and conditions.

A report prepared for councillors points out that the site is allocated for 187 homes in the current local plan, and the application ensures that open space areas areas are provided throughout the development.

Kent County Council have not objected to the proposed access points into the sites.

Among the terms which need to be agreed for building to go ahead, officers propose Taylor Wimpey pay £40,480 towards upgrading two public rights of way and £50,000 for a cycling hub with CCTV coverage at Barming train station.

Taylor Wimpey has submitted an application on part of the field, which falls under Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's jurisdiction, for 118 homes. This has yet to be heard.

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