A proposal to provide a new farm access is kicking up more stink than might be expected, principally because neighbours are convinced the move is the precursor to an an application for a new housing development.

Mike Nuttall of Willow Farm has applied to Maidstone council for a "lawful development certificate" for the access off Boarley Lane in Sandling.

The application differs from a planning application in that if it is for agricultural purposes, the access would usually be allowed by default.

The 3.2 hectare farm is used for grazing sheep and the application states: "The proposal is to provide a farm road private way to allow access by vehicle to the higher land within the site.

"The road is required to allow a vehicle transporting livestock to enter the site so that livestock can be loaded/unloaded safely away from the public highway."

But neighbours are questioning why a new 3.64m wide access is necessary when the land already has an access from Tyland Way.

They note that a number of trees and hedgerows were allegedly cleared from the land earlier this year and they have concluded that more is to come.

Of the 28 objections listed so far on Maidstone council's website, nearly all of them object to the use of land for housing, rather than just the farm access.

And with some reason.

The site has been put forward by Maidstone council in its Local Plan Review Preferred Options document as suitable for the construction of 39 homes.

The Local Plan Review is currently out to public consultation. If members of the public wish to comment on any of the proposals in the plan, they can do so here.

Willow Farm is listed as option LPRS 196.

Members of the public wishing to comment on the farm access lawful development certificate can do so here.

Planning number 20/505656 refers.

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