Campaigners end legal challenge over 5,000-home scheme after failing to get costs protection order

A group campaigning against a proposed new settlement near Maidstone has dropped attempts to secure an oral hearing for a judicial review applications after failing to be granted a costs protection order.

A spokesman for Save Our Heathlands, which opposes the 5,000 homes development allocated at Lenham, said this meant objectors would not enjoy the protection of the Aarhus Convention and so would be open to unlimited legal costs which they could not meet.

Nearby Bredhurst Parish Council is though taking action against Maidstone over the local plan’s allocation of 2,000 homes to the Lidsing area.

Appealing for funds, the parish council said: “This would see houses built with shamefully inadequate infrastructure and the destruction of neighbourhoods, countryside and wildlife.”

Bredhurst said it had ”extensive legal advice”, and support from Landmark Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, both of which had “offered their services at a hugely discounted rate”, although the parish council still had to raise some £35,000.

Ironically, Maidstone no longer supports its own local plan but has no powers to change it in the foreseeable future.

The plan was approved the last few weeks of a Conservative-led administration which lost office at May’s local elections.

Stuart Jeffery, who now leads a joint administration of Greens, Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour, has told local media that he intends to launch a local plan review as a potential way to block the controversial developments.

He told Kent Live this process could though take three years, “But if (Heath Lands) development starts before that we’re a bit stuffed. It’s a bit of a nightmare.”

Maidstone has been contacted for comment.

Mark Smulian