A developer has been told a mound made up of building rubble on a new housing estate must go.

When permission was granted to build Kemsley Fields in 2005 a flat landscaped belt with trees was meant to be provided between the Northern Relief Road and the houses as well as a 1.8m high brick wall on the back edge of the footpath that runs alongside Swale Way.

Instead a large bund was constructed and a post and rail fence.

The breach of landscaping conditions led to Swale council officers issuing Taylor Wimpey with an enforcement notice instructing them to revert back to the original plan.

But it was put on hold until a decision was made on its retrospective planning application for the retention of the fencing and the mound, which it claimed would have shrubs and trees, planted on top of it.

Phil Hannabuss, vice chairman of the Chandlers Croft Residents’ Association, urged planning committee members to refuse the plans when he spoke before them at Swale House in East Street, Sittingbourne.

He said: “The bund being predominantly a pile of builder’s waste and rubble on which nothing larger than weeds will grow, does nothing to provide any sound protection and previous tree saplings that were planted did not establish and were subsequently mowed down.

“The original plans, unlike those proposed, would provide increased security.

“We trusted the glossy brochure and we placed our trust in those concerned to protect the residents. Enforce the planning consent already granted by the council.”

Cllr Andy Booth (Con) added: “When I saw it, my mind was taken back to 1980s footage of Beirut.”

Cllr Mike Whiting (Con) said: “When members lay down rules that are then ignored then you’re perceived as either passive or toothless and either way it damages members’ reputations, and the reputation of this council.

“When I saw it, my mind was taken back to 1980s footage of Beirut” - Cllr Andy Booth

“There is no clear knowledge of what is contained within the bund. Without the details of the content how can we be sure it is safe?”

Cllr Angela Harrison (Lab) added: “If, when this came forward [originally] the developer had said ‘and round the edge I’m putting a pile of bricks and rubble and any other rubbish I can find and chuck a bit of dirt on top and a few trees that aren’t going to grow’ you’d have turned it down.”

The application was refused and officers will now pursue the enforcement notice.