Councillors have voted in favour of controversial plans to build more than 650 homes – but the developer has already bypassed them and asked the government to decide.
The scheme for Scocles Road in Minster has been given the nod by Swale council just weeks after the final decision was taken out of its hands.
Developer MLN Ltd got an independent planning inspector appointed to the case last month because the authority took too long to consider the application.
Swale council’s planning committee had until October 15 to refuse or approve the plans but during a meeting on October 10, chose to delay the decision.
This was so councillors could meet with MLN for a site visit.
On November 27, the developer appealed to the government planning inspectorate on the grounds of the council’s “non-determination”.
Inspector Tim Salter has since confirmed an 11-day inquiry will begin on May 20.
If he allows the plans to go ahead, the total number of homes granted for the village since October 2017 will be 1,984.
Residents and councillors told KentOnline previously that “excessive development” of the area was not in the best interests of the Isle of Sheppey.
But on Thursday, January 16, the planning committee voted in favour of the project – with 10 councillors backing the plans and six voting against them.
Despite this approval, the ultimate decision will be made at the inquiry which the developer cannot pull out of.
Both the approval of the plans, as well as Swale’s decision to no longer contest the appeal, have been put to the inspector to consider.
Cllr Andy Booth (Cons), who represents Minster Cliffs, said it would have been “impossible” for councillors to have met the developers and then decided on the plans within five days.
He questioned: “At any point of the October meeting was it made very clear to this committee the potential consequences of it not being decided on?”
The county councillor for Sheppey, who was not at that meeting, voted against the scheme.
He pointed to almost 3,000 extra daily vehicle movements in Lower Road which highways officers at Kent County Council predict once the development is built.
“The Lower Road is not due to see any improvements for the next ten years,” he added, “that is discomforting”.
One of those against the development is Cllr Tom Nundy (Swale Inds), who chairs Minster Parish Council’s planning committee.
He said the site would “destroy the countryside gap” between Minster and Eastchurch villages and have a “detrimental impact” on public services.
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Cllr Ann Cavanagh (Lab) voted for the plans as they include 270 homes earmarked as affordable housing in the first phase of building.
The representative for Grove Park and Borden said: “People are desperate for homes they can affordably live in.
“On the Island, there is a requirement of 0% affordable housing and this development is 41.5%.”
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