Villagers' traffic fears over farm development plan

Residents in a Kent village are campaigning against plans to develop a farm over fears of increased traffic.

Hildenborough Parish Council claimed the proposal for a change of use to "light industrial", submitted by the owners of Great Hollanden Farm in Mill Lane, Underriver, could see over 100 vehicle movements each day.

Elizabeth Shirtcliff, who lives nearby, said: "We're in the middle of a small hamlet, we're surrounded by lanes, they're very narrow, they are poorly maintained, we have a lot of potholes, ditches, hedges. The roads just cannot sustain this."

The Fairlawne Estate, which owns the farm, said the plans would "not turn farmland into a lorry park for HGVs and articulated vehicles".

The estate added that the application was to change part of a "redundant farm building" into commercial use, with car parking for 10 vehicles, eight car spaces and two van spaces.

"The redundant building is adjacent to a business centre," they added.

Shirtcliff said the roads were "unsuitable" for HGVs, were "accident blackspots" and prone to "localised flooding".

The Fairlawne Estate has submitted three applications for change of use and planning consent over the past two years, with the final application subject to a public consultation ending on 20 September.

The determination deadline is on 24 September.

Vehicles would be reaching the planned site from the A21 and B245 via Bank Lane and Mill Lane.

However, if these roads were closed vehicles would have to travel along the residential streets of Ridings Lane and Vines Lane in Hildenborough.

Local farmer Fidelity Weston said the farm had been "derelict for quite a long time" so the area had been "extremely quiet".

"We're in the heart of the countryside and are slowly seeing the countryside being eroded by these applications for massive vehicles to come along lanes that are otherwise enjoyed by horse riders, cyclists, and walkers," she said.

Hildenborough Parish Council said it did not oppose redundant farm buildings being brought back into use in principle, but objected to the scale of commercial activity being proposed.

It said there could be 100 vehicle movements a day and described Mill Lane as "a narrow country lane, around four metres wide, with no pavements, no lighting and few places to pass".

Kent County Council has lodged a holding objection but said it would not be appropriate to comment while the planning application was under consideration.

Sevenoaks District Council also said it could not comment on the proposal.

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