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Hundreds of homes proposed for farmland

Daniel EssonLDRS
News imageGoogle Maps A field alongside a road is edged with hedges and treesGoogle Maps
The proposed housing would be built on farmland neighbouring Paddock Wood

Plans to build more than 500 homes near Paddock Wood have been criticised as "more madness" by residents opposed to the scheme.

The site, known as Badsell Farm, is located off Badsell Road and Maidstone Road and consists mainly of farmland.

Forty per cent of the homes would be affordable, "subject to this being financially viable", say developers Dandara South East in planning documents.

The site is on land allocated for development in Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Local Plan, which the authority adopted in December last year.

News imageTunbridge Wells Borough Council An aerial shot with an outline map for an estate of 500 homes near Paddock WoodTunbridge Wells Borough Council
Plans have been submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for the development of 520 homes

The application is in two phases with detailed planning for 272 homes and outline permission for the remaining 248, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Residents say the development would place significant pressure on services for school places and healthcare, with GPs and dental services struggling to meet current demand.

Objectors have also raised concerns about water supplies.

Teresa Homewood wrote: "Kent is one of the most water-stressed areas in England."

She added: "The application does not provide sufficient reassurance that adequate water resources and infrastructure are available to support a development of this scale."

Parts of West Kent, including nearby Tunbridge Wells, experienced water outages earlier this year and in June South East Water confirmed there would be a hosepipe ban.

Resident Cathy Doig wrote: "Yet more houses when the infrastructure is not in place to support them... more madness."

The Local Plan includes the provision for expansion in and around Paddock Wood for more than 2,400 homes.

The council's planning committee has yet to decide on the application with a deadline set for the 2 September.

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