Ham Farm, Faversham
Faversham Town Council is disappointed to receive confirmation that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal on 23/502113/OUT and that planning permission is granted for the erection of up to 250 dwellings, including affordable housing, public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage system and vehicular access point, in accordance with the terms of the application.
The appeal for up to 250 dwellings, at Ham Farm, Faversham was allowed despite concerns regarding flooding and agricultural land loss. This decision was influenced by lack of five-year housing land supply by Swale Borough Council and the need for housing in the area.
Faversham Neighbourhood Plan was made in November 2024, and this site was not allocated after consideration.
Councillor Cllr Josh Rowlands, Mayor of Faversham Town Council, said:
“The Town Council worked with the community for five years preparing the Neighbourhood Plan. 94% voted for the plan at the Referendum in November 2024, demonstrating the towns commitment to the plan. For the Planning Inspectorate to undermine the plan is beyond comprehension. There are a lot of disenchanted and angry people. Once again Faversham has been affected by Swale Borough Councils lack of a Local Plan and five-year housing land supply”
Councillor Peter Cook, Priory Ward Member, said:
“I represented the Town Council and the Bray Brothers at the appeal hearing and ensured that a Grampian condition was attached to the decision. This means that the applicants now need to make another application specifically about drainage and involving land and activity within the Ramsar on land they do not own. If they cannot do that, and/or prove that they have a legal right of discharge then they cannot develop, the Grampian is a negative condition. They have to clear the negative to have a positive result. The fight is not over!”
