Lib Dems Stop Ugly Warehouse Plan Near Homes

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have successfully blocked plans for a massive five-storey self-storage warehouse at Eclipse Business Park, right across the road from houses on Sittingbourne Road.

The building would have been huge – with over 7,000 square metres of storage space – and was described as “jarring and out of place” by local councillors. 

Penenden Heath councillor Tony Harwood led the push to stop the plan, challenging the council officers who recommended approval and putting forward the motion to reject it.

Tony and his fellow planning committee members said the building was far too tall and badly designed for such a visible area on the edge of town – and especially wrong so close to people’s homes.

Cllr Harwood said, “Maidstone can do much better. This site used to be lovely wooded farmland – no one agreed to turn it into a giant warehouse site when it was first developed.”

Eclipse Business Park councillor Mark Naghi added, “People living nearby in Sittingbourne Road and Heath Wood Drive were really upset about how ugly and out of place the warehouse would have looked. I’m glad the planning committee listened and said no.”

Local residents will be kept informed if the developer appeals the decision. If that happens, it will be really important for local voices to be heard by the Government’s Planning Inspector.