Protest held against plans for 750-home Kent development that could also include schools, shop and care home

Protestors against the proposed 750-home scheme in Rainham came out in force

Four years after plans for an unwanted Kent housing development were successfully fought, residents are facing a second battle to save much-loved orchards.

But this time they'll have to do so without the help of the local authority after it flip-flopped on the issue despite reportedly spending £250,000 on legal costs previously.

A public consultation was held on Monday night (July 21) for Esquire Developments Ltd to share its plans for a 750-home scheme in Rainham.

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Held at the town's Oast community centre, it attracted around 40 protesters from the Stop Pump Lane Development campaign.

Esquire is looking to build on 126 acres of agricultural land, which would also see a nursery, shop, care home, community centre, and land for a primary and secondary school. The previous application, which was first submitted in 2019, was for a 1,250-home development.

Medway Council refused the application in 2020 and successfully defended the decision at a planning appeal the following year.

However, much to the campaigners' dismay, the authority – which has since moved from Tory to Labour control – included the land in its draft Local Plan. Published last month, this document marks the land for residential-led development.

Campaign organiser Ila Hewitt

Campaign organiser Ila Hewitt, 43, says it is "absolutely devastating" to have to fight again following the council's U-turn. She said: "We all have commitments, we all have families, and this takes a lot of time to come together as a community.

"To have done it before and successfully won and to now be doing it again is hugely disappointing and we feel very let down by the council.

"But as soon as the information became available [about the plans] we had people getting in contact, asking what was going on. The support is as strong as ever, we don't intend to go anywhere. We're not giving up this fight, it's far too important.

"It feels like a waste of time and a waste of money, so we don't understand why [Medway] changed their minds. The reasons the application and appeal were rejected as unsuitable previously still stand today.

"Once this top-quality agricultural land is gone, it's gone. It's a really important part of the landscape, it's a green buffer between Rainham and Twydall. If it goes, all the towns will merge which will severely impact the air quality."

She added when campaigners met with the council, they were told the pressure to meet housing targets was behind the new designation.

Kate Belmonte was involved in the campaign against the original housing plans

Fellow protestor Kate Belmonte, 41, who was also involved first time around, said: "We're back in the same predicament, but this time we don't have the backing of Medway Council. But we think the basis for rejection last time around was completely legitimate and still is.

"The same reasons stand for why the orchards should not be built upon, not just because of the agricultural land, but also because the road network cannot cope with that many new homes.

"Looking at the population stats and local migration data, we know Medway does not need 24,000 homes by 2041, not least because we won't be able to afford the houses being built. We're here to say to Medway Council and the government, please take the orchards out of the draft Local Plan."

Phil Fisher, 75, says many residents felt let down as they had supported the Labour administration in the belief they would protect the land.

Phil Fisher says residents feel let down by the stance the now Labour led council has taken on the development

He said: "Although, on the face of it, this particular proposal seems smaller, so many extras are being added that, in my view, nothing has changed.

"I think, really, it's a betrayal of the electorate because there must be an awful lot of people who voted for a Labour council and they've now gone against the will of the people.

"It's too easy for the government to say we need more housing and see a big swathe of land, it'll have a huge environmental impact – it's completely in the wrong place. We'll all be fighting to the bitter end to oppose it and get it stopped."

But council leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) said changed circumstances were behind the reason for the decision by the authority. He said: "Some of the facts have changed, and we are now in a different place than we were.

"One of the reasons was the level of housing on the Hoo Peninsula and the number of houses allocated there.

"Then, there was the decision to withdraw £170m of funding for infrastructure to support housing on the peninsula, meaning housing there could not be supported. Therefore a number of sites around Medway have levels higher as a result of that funding being removed."

Angelo Filippone, 65, feels infrastructure needs to be improved before new houses are approved

Angelo Filippone, 65, feels infrastructure needs to be improved before new houses are approved, saying: "I've lived on Lower Rainham Road for 17 years and it's become a rat-run for what feels like everybody. The only new roads which seem to be built in Medway are the ones coming off the new housing estates.

"I'm a taxi driver, I've gone from The Strand to the bottom of Berengrave Lane, a six or seven-minute journey, and it has taken me an hour and a half because of the traffic.

"Unless we invest in the infrastructure first, and then build the houses, it's only going to get worse. I shouldn't have to sit in my front garden and watch traffic jams all day. It's unsustainable."

The event had illustrations of the proposals and Esquire representatives to answer questions about the scheme and residents could fill out a form or provide feedback later online.

Another event is to take place on July 31, after which the feedback will be considered by the developer.

An application for a proposal is to be submitted only after the adoption of Medway Council's Local Plan which is expected to happen late next year.