Planning nightmare for newlyweds

A YOUNG couple hoping to start a family in Shoreham have had their dreams dashed after a frosty reception from the village.

Brad and Claire Watson began their planning nightmare in August after they requested permission to build on land in Mill Lane, owned by Mrs Watson's family for more than 100 years.

"We have always wanted to move to Shoreham – that was our dream," explained Mr Watson.

"We sold our house in Kings Hill so that we could build on the land and start a family, but after the problems we have had there already it is clear it is not going to happen."

The newlyweds are living temporarily in a one-bed flat in Bayham Road, Sevenoaks.

They are expecting their first child in June and say the pressure is on to move into a bigger home.

But they are now looking elsewhere after their initial planning request became the centre of a bitter dispute.

Neighbours sent 28 letters of objection and argued the size of the two proposed houses was too big. They said they would prefer the land to be used as an orchard.

Reg Barnett, 65, whose home in Crown Road backs on to the land, said the village was equally upset about the new application.

"It is an absolute disaster – the whole village is up in arms about the application," he fumed.

"I would prefer the land to be left as it is, for the birds and animals and trees.

"We don't want a big wall backing onto our garden.

"There are old people who have lived in the village for years and the disruption would be upsetting for them. We will object to the new application with as much vigour as the last."

Mr Watson said he understood concerns about changes to the area but would appeal against the refusal by Sevenoaks District Council for their first application.

But he added: "Times change and developments happen but we have tried to do things the right way – we even took planning advice from the council.

"But we have had petitions listing our personal details in local pubs, abusive phone calls and overall small-mindedness from most of the surrounding residents.

"We wouldn't want to live in Shoreham now – I wouldn't say we don't care, because we do, very much, but we have tried to do things properly and it has got us nowhere.

"All we wanted was a family home but now we have had to change our plans to get planning permission for more, smaller houses and we will sell the land to the highest bidder."

The Watsons applied for permission for three terraced and two detached houses with parking in December