A controversial freight rail development – described by some as a ‘nightmare’ – which was approved by Bexley Council has been unanimously rejected by Dartford council because of the pressure it would have brought to the town’s roads.

The application to build a new freight rail interchange on green built Crayford Marshes was rejected at a planning committee meeting, despite being approved by Bexley Council earlier this year.

The developers cannot build without approval from both local authorities.

Councillor Keith Kelly, Dartford’s cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said he welcomed the decision.

He said: “8,000 new vehicles on a road that is a pinch point would have been a nightmare for our residents living on the Bridge estate.

“For them, someone only has to sneeze at Dartford crossing and the backed up traffic means they can’t get of their estate.”

The application, submitted by Roxhill Development, included the building of new rail lines, a warehouse and road access to Bob Dunn Way across 149 acres of green belt land.

The land within Dartford Council’s area was limited to Bob Dunn way and Thames Road roundabout, where additional access to the new site would be built.

Cllr Kelly said the application was not satisfactory for Dartford residents.

He said: “We already have well documented traffic problems on that site, and this would not help that.”

Concerns were previously raised about the impact new railroads would have on the wildlife at Crayford Marshes.

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Donna Zimmer, part of the environmentalist group Friends of Crayford Marshes, who campaigned against the scheme, said: “It was fantastic to hear that all councillors and parties spoke out strongly against these plans and that they raised the same concerns about perceived increase in air pollution, in traffic and the destruction of the wildlife habitat.

“I will be personally writing to the Planning Councillors and congratulating them for speaking up about all the same concerns that we campaigned for in Bexley for Crayford Marshes. “

Donna remained cautious about celebrating the decision before the future was clear.

She said: “All we know for sure is that this land, our irreplaceable Green Belt and the wildlife that lives there is still anything but safe.”

A report prepared by council officers, which recommended the plans were rejected, said: “The proposal is considered to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and very special circumstances have not been demonstrated which would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.”

Councillor Kelly said: “Air pollution and traffic are a big thing for us. The applicants can either appeal or apply again once the Lower Thames Crossing is here and we hopefully will have less freight and heavy goods traffic.” 

Bexley Council approved the application in February despite a petition with more than 1,350 objections to the scheme.

Roxhill has been approached for a comment.