A controversial housing development has been given the go-ahead after being allowed on appeal by the planning inspector.

The approval of the 141-home estate on Limes Land in Tenterden has sparked fury among residents and councillors following confirmation of the decision last week.

Work on the Wates Development behind Woodchurch Road and Appledore Road is now due to start in around a year, after the developers successfully appealed against the plan’s original dismissal.

Residents, campaign groups and the town council had all vowed to fight the appeal, which prompted a public inquiry in December.

As well as 141 homes, the development will also include a community clubhouse, football pitches and outdoor exercise and play equipment.

The hybrid application also outlines a 21.4-acre country park and community orchard.

Construction is now set to begin in spring 2023, with the first move in date earmarked for autumn 2024.

A spokesman for Wates Developments says the company is “pleased the right conclusion was drawn from this lengthy process”.

“We are pleased the inspectorate has approved our proposals at Appledore Road, Tenterden, in order to meet the housing needs of families in Kent and address the identified need for new sports facilities locally,” they added.

“Wates remains committed to bringing new sustainable homes forward where there is a substantial need and with over 78% of the site remaining green it will be a great place to live with fantastic facilities for all to enjoy.”

During the appeal, Wates challenged Ashford Borough Council (ABC) over its housing land supply plans, centred around the ongoing issues with the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve near Canterbury where poor water quality has hampered developments across the county.

Due to the issues, developers now must show that estates will be ‘nutrient neutral’ in terms of phosphorus and nitrogen, otherwise permission cannot be granted for development.

Wates argued that this would mean that the council would fall drastically short of its building obligations to the government’s national planning policy.

In a statement approving the appeal, inspector Martin Whitehead accused the council of failing to provide evidence that this was not the case.

Albert Poole, spokesman for the Limes Land Protection Group, said the group “reserves the most disappointment” for the actions of ABC.

“The ecological, heritage and landscape character damage to this area of Tenterden will be substantial and irreversible if this proposal goes ahead,” he said.

“Our biggest disappointment is reserved for the abysmal defence of Limes Land by ABC.

“They will need to examine their preparedness for this appeal.

“In summary, we believe Wates did not win this appeal, ABC lost it.”

However, Mr Poole also said that the group felt the recent decision “does not guarantee delivery of the site”.

“This is a decision based on a hybrid application, part full planning permission for the so-called country open space, sports pitches, pavilion and outline permission on the dwellings subject to reserved matters,” he explained.

“This decision does not guarantee delivery of this site.

“Wates is well aware that there are a significant number of issues to be addressed before this site can be delivered as proposed.

“In our opinion much of it will not be delivered in the form presented.

“Many of these issues were glossed over during the inquiry and treated as mere detail and formality by Wates.

“Time will tell if we are proved right.”

ABC has also faced criticism from Tenterden Town Council, which had firmly opposed the plans at every step of the application and subsequent appeal.

'We shall continue to resist fundamentally unacceptable schemes...'

In a statement, a spokeswoman said the authority is “frustrated” that the appeal has been allowed.

“We would like to state that the town council, as well as many residents, provided substantial evidence at the inquiry against the proposed development and we thank them all for their professionalism and the high quality of evidence produced,” she added.

“Sadly, Ashford were unable to provide evidence that they were capable of demonstrating a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, which means policies important for determining this planning application are considered out of date.

“Therefore, the inspector concluded that 141 houses will be permitted on Limes Land.”

Cllr Neil Bell (Con), ABC’s portfolio holder for planning, issued a statement following the inspector’s decision.

He said: “The council is very disappointed as it felt strongly that this was not a good development for Tenterden which would adversely impact the landscape and character of this part of the town.

“Whilst the inspector himself agreed that the scheme would be contrary to parts of the Local Plan, which was adopted as recently as 2019, it seems as though in arriving at his decision to grant permission he has placed significant weight on the wider housing land supply position in the borough, which as we know, has been affected by the situation at Stodmarsh Lakes and the resultant constraints on the council being able to grant permissions for new housing development in the eastern half of the borough for the last 18 months.

“Consequently, the council will be writing to ministers to seek their support for both a solution to the Stodmarsh issue and an explicit recognition that it should not be used as a reason to allow housing developments that are not sustainable or compliant with the Local Plan to be permitted on appeal.

"In the meantime, we shall continue to resist fundamentally unacceptable schemes and defend them robustly should appeals be lodged.”