Members of Bromley’s development control committee have voted in favour of opposing plans to build hundreds of new homes in a neighbouring district.

The committee were asked by the adjacent Sevenoaks District Council to provide feedback on a proposal lodged to that authority.

Quinn Estates plans would see 850 homes,  a school hub, rugby pitches and more at the site of the former Broke Hill Golf Course at Halstead.

Committee chair Alexa Michael called the proposal a “very, very substantial application – you could almost call this Sevenoaks’s new town”.

She summarised issues that Bromley’s council officers already have with the proposal – including that hundreds of new residents in the adjoining district could overload roads and rail services in Bromley, as well as medical facilities.

While several members expressed concern over the development, Cllr Charles Joel enquired if Sevenoaks district was obliged to listen to the Bromley authority’s statement.

He said: “I’m not happy about this for obvious reasons and the impact it might have on the borough of Bromley…however whatever we say, do we know they (Sevenoaks and Kent councils) will listen to it? Do we have any weight to say ‘no you can’t do it’?”.

A council officer responded that it would “be a matter for Sevenoaks”, and as they have consulted Bromley as an adjoining authority, all they could do was “hope they take it on board”.

A spokesperson for Quinn Estates said after the meeting it was “safe to say” the company would continue to pursue the development.

The developers reiterated thet were working with Network Rail to create a package of station upgrades at Knockholt Station.

They have also stated their intention to work around concerns related to building in the green belt area – stating the proposal is for a self-contained garden village that opposes unsustainable sprawl.

Bromley council’s feedback will now be presented to Sevenoaks District Council, who will make a decision on the application at a future date.