ANGRY residents are threatening to force delays on a developer they say is playing “hard ball” with their village.

Greenhithe Action Group (GAG) members, who are fighting plans which will see 217 flats built, say they refuse to give in to tough tactics.

Developer Fairview New Homes (FNH) has sent its appeal to deputy prime minister John Prescott after being told the council was likely to reject its designs. He may give the scheme the go-ahead.

Residents say this bid to gain permission sees FNH manipulating a loophole in the planning regulations by submitting duplicate applications. Because the council was not able to process both within the required 13-week period, FNH now has the right to appeal.

GAG chairman Martin Murphy said: “This is a backdoor way of getting the proposal through. It’s very nasty but is common practice.

“It places a drain on the council’s resources and, I for one would much rather work with the developers to get the best results. It’s like they’re holding a gun to our heads but we won’t back down.” GAG is not opposed to building on the site on Station Road but has said it objects to FNH plans which will see, what it calls, a low-quality high-density development.

Mr Murphy said: “Last time we met Fairview, its representatives played hardball and threatened this appeal. But we feel we have a case to send this to a judicial review.” He said having looked at the original application he thinks there are issues which could result in a full environmental and judicial review — which could take up to two years.

He said: “There’s a good chance they’ll lose the appeal and if not we’ll take it to judicial review. Just because they have the resources it doesn’t make them right.” FNH declined to comment on the appeal.