Top TV comic Lee Hurst is facing the wrath of villagers over controversial plans for a housing development, writes James Alexandre in an exclusive Yourmaidstone investigation.
Hurst, best known for his appearances on BBC show ‘They Think it’s All Over’, is at the centre of a dispute over land he owns in Loose, which could see four new homes built despite opposition from residents.
Families living in the picturesque village argue his scheme is out of character with the area, would spoil views of Loose Valley and pose a threat to the surrounding conservation area.
The plans would see the demolition of an existing building on the site, a derelict six-bedroom bungalow with 12 acres of land, to be replaced by two four-bedroom and two five-bedroom houses.
Cllr Ben Sherreard, who helped organise a 65-strong protest against the proposal outside the Chequers pub on Saturday, said they wanted to send a message to both the landowner and developer.
He said: “We don’t appreciate what they’re doing to our village. This bungalow was bought a few years ago and for whatever reason has fallen into disrepair.
“It’s now because of this that it’s classed as a brown field site and this is now their motivation for building on it.”
The original application for the development has already been rejected twice by Maidstone council, but a company representing Mr Hurst has appealed against this and a public inquiry is due to take place later this month.
Cllr Sherreard added: “Democracy is being taken away because the local people spoke through the borough council to refuse this and now the developers have taken it to a higher level and can override us.
“It is the sort of unnormal process that developers go for now.”
Antler Homes, which is behind the project, said they are obliged to help meet government criteria to build 240,000 new homes each year to address the shortage in the market.
Griff Marshalsay, managing director of Antler Homes South East, said: “We are genuinely sorry that some of the residents are still unhappy with our designs.
“As the expression goes, we realise we can’t please everyone all of the time, but we have worked with numerous others to ensure that as many people’s views and wishes have been taken into account.
“We have done our best to please as many people as possible with our planning application and the decision is now out of our hands and with the Inspectorate.”
Mr Hurst could not be contacted for comment.
POSTED: 04/06/2008 08:15:00
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