Dozens of construction trucks heading for a renowned golf course have residents fearing their old houses will be “shaken to bits”.
Tensions are mounting after proposals were launched to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to remodel the driving range at Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, near Tenterden.
Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, near Tenterden, was designed by former world number one Nick Faldo. Picture: National Championship GolferPlans have been submitted to improve the driving range at Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, near Tenterden. Picture: National Championship Golfer
Currently, it is susceptible to surface-water flooding, but applicant Roger Body of Bowyers Field Developments Ltd hopes that improving the facilities will enable the driving range to be used year-round.
However, concerns have been raised that residents will be forced to endure disruption for up to thirty months during the works, with a truck potentially driving by every six minutes.
A construction traffic management plan (CTMP), submitted on behalf of the applicant by agents Fortis Planning, states that a maximum of 50 lorries a day could be heading to and from the site via rural roads.
The proposed route will see trucks use Smarden Road, The Cut, Biddenden Road, Bethersden Road and Pot Kiln Lane, then join the A28 in Bethersden via Bull Lane and heading onto Ashford.
However, highway bosses at Kent County Council (KCC) have objected to the plans, insisting that construction traffic should use the A road network, travelling through the centres of Biddenden and High Halden to reach Bethersden.
Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, near Tenterden. Picture: National Club GolferKCC has opposed the applicant’s proposed route, using country lanes for construction traffic to access Chart Hills Golf Course in Biddenden, near Tenterden
But ABC Cllr Neil Bell (Con) believes neither option is ideal, fearing residents will pay the price.
Speaking to KentOnline, the Biddenden representative said: “The application proposed going through country lanes, which was inappropriate, but KCC are saying it will only go through A roads, meaning it will go through the centre of Biddenden.
“There are a number of hugely fragile Grade II-listed buildings along the route, close to the road, and we’ve had many reports over the years that they’re basically shaken to bits when heavy vehicles go past.
“The document says 50 loads, 50 vehicle movements to and from the site. It’s potentially a maximum of 100 movements a day, over a 10-hour period, that’s one every six minutes.
“Biddenden has A roads, but it’s not built for heavy traffic, and this is intended to go on for thirty months. What state will the roads be in?
Conservative councillor Neil Bell fears residents will pay the price from the high volume of construction trafficSmarden Road, near Tenterden
“There’ll be general deterioration when you’ve got heavy trucks going past every six minutes, in addition to the normal traffic.
“As things stand, I don’t see how I could support this application at all, and I’m desperately going to try and oppose it.”
ABC cllr Kayleigh Brunger-Randall (Ind), who represents Weald North, also expressed concerns over the plans to use rural roads.
“After contacting KCC, I’m happy to say swift action was taken and a document was submitted to ABC highlighting the exact safety issues raised as a reason to reroute the lorries, avoiding Smarden’s narrow lanes entirely.
“It is great news for the village, which has been the subject of many road closures that have affected local trade.
Kayleigh Brunger-Randall was pleased to see KCC object to the use of country lanes during construction. Picture: Tenterden Town Council
“Even with the road closures, local businesses are still open as usual.”
Since the application went live in mid-December, 20 objections have been logged on ABC’s planning portal, with no supporting statements.
Michael Richards and Rosemary Vanns commented: “The village of Biddenden and the high street in particular is already plagued with HGVs, and further traffic over a two-year period is completely unacceptable and ill-considered.
“The high street has a row of Grade I-listed buildings with shallow foundations and a number of Grade II-listed structures.
“These are already endangered by the current level of traffic and an increase of this magnitude – simply to enhance a golf course – would cause irrevocable damage.”
North Street in Biddenden
Last year, Chart Hills, which opened in 1993, was named as one of the 100 best golf courses in England and has hosted the Ladies European Tour and the European Tour Qualifying School.
Judges were impressed by the course, designed by former world number one Nick Faldo at the height of his playing career.
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Planning documents state that the proposed improvements will provide an enhancement to the established golf club.
They state: “Part of the current driving range is susceptible to surface-water flooding due to low levels and poor permeability of the soil, meaning it cannot be used in wetter weather, particularly during the winter months.
The A274 Headcorn Road
“Altering the existing levels and installing a new sustainable drainage system will improve the facilities at the golf club, allowing the driving range to be used year-round, consequently improving and enhancing the existing sports facility.
“Traffic movements to the site would be negligible compared to traffic levels currently generated on the immediate highway.
“The proposed development would provide a range of mitigation measures to avoid a severe cumulative residual impact.”
ABC is expected to make a decision on the project later this year.
The applicant has been contacted for comment.