The scoping report for this planning application details the proposed building of a new secondary school and up to 200 houses on land between Parsonage Lane and Berwick Way, Frindsbury. Plus, the Manor Farm Barn – the Grade 1-listed 14th century building – being converted into a wedding and conference venue.

The proposed housing development would be in part be constructed on top of the former quarry, once it has been back filled.

The scoping assess the environmental impact of any potential development prior to a full planning application being submitted. Under the plans, access to the development would be via Frindsbury Hill on the A228 and Parsonage Lane, whilst Manor Farm Barn would be accessed from Berwick Way.

Cllr Stephen Hubbard, Medway Labour & Co-operative Councillor for Strood North said, ‘Parsonage Lane is the quietest street in my Strood North ward, very much a rural road on the edge of the existing urban development. An additional 200 homes would not only change the nature of the rural area, it would put our already stretched infrastructure under excessive strain.

‘These 200 homes will fill in the gap between the back of Parsonage Lane and the new proposed secondary school, meaning another large green field site lost to development.

‘I’m also concerned about the appropriateness of the Grade 1 listed 14th century Tythe Barn, Manor Farm Barn, being converted into a potentially noisy and disruptive wedding and conference venue.

‘The secondary entrance to the 200 home development and the main access to the school will be opposite the Sans Pareil pub, an area which already suffers from severe congestion especially at rush hours. Adding children being dropped off and picked up from school to this high traffic roundabout will be disastrous.’

More on this story:

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/plans-for-new-school-and-200-homes-revealed-217247/

For scoping of this planning application MC/19/2979 please go to the council’s online planning portal at https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200147/applying_for_planning_permission/122/search_for_planning_applications/