DARTFORD: Residents fear plans will increase traffic

SUPPORTERS of a proposed development on green belt land say it will transform the area into an attractive place to live.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is hearing an appeal from the Department of Health to build more than 200 homes on the former site of Mabledon Hospital, Wood Lane, near Lane End, Darenth.

Dartford Council is against the proposals believing increased traffic and population as well as destruction of green belt land would be inevitable.

Matthew Horton QC, representing the Department of Health, told the inquiry: "If this development takes place living at Lane End will be much more agreeable than it is at present."

The Department of Health says this is possible through the building of new sports facilities, cycle ways and footpaths and houses.

Disagreeing, Dartford Council planning officer John Arnold said: "Newcomers to Lane End may be attracted to the proposed development but current residents would lament the loss of the recreational space and the increase in traffic."

Mr Arnold, who has been in the planning trade for 34 years, added: "I look forward to the recreational space being positively managed with some form of linkage from Darenth Country Park to Darenth Woods."

He says the site should be classified as green belt rather than previously-developed land, as planning regulations will not be as stringent.

He said: "Since the hospital has been demolished, the site has blended back into nature because there has been nearly 20 years for vegetation to re- establish itself."

Annette Janes, of Coombfield Drive, Darenth, told News Shopper: "If people are suggesting Lane End is not a pleasant place to live, then how will building even more houses make a difference?

"They will just put an extra burden on the facilities."

The inquiry resumes on February 23 and 25 with a date for final submissions yet to be decided.