Plans to redevelop a former sheltered housing complex which has become a target for vandals have been refused.

Ashford Borough Council hoped to knock down Oakleigh House in the town's Watercress Lane as part of its efforts to “prepare for the needs of an ageing population”.

But its bid to build 54 apartments for older people and 13 apartments for adults with learning disabilities has been rejected at a planning committee meeting.

The project, which has been in the works since 2020, would have involved demolishing the current site and adjacent block of flats, known locally as the ‘Star Block’.

But the loss of a nearby open space proved to be a point of contention in the meeting, with resident Martin Lopez saying “the green space has been pivotal to the residents’ wellbeing”, especially during the pandemic.

Beth Terry, of Cross Stile, agreed, saying she had fond memories of the green space near Oakleigh House from when she was young.

She said: “You are building houses/flats everywhere in Ashford, why couldn’t you have put these apartments away from where kids are enjoying some green space?"

But Mary Hutchinson, the architect who designed the development, spoke in support of the application.

“There are 421 people aged over 50 on Ashford Borough Council’s waiting list in need of affordable housing”, she said, adding that this kind of accommodation is in “high demand, but short supply”.

She also praised the plan’s “exemplary environmental credentials” and that “it will target zero carbon” through ground heat pumps and solar panels.

In its planning application, ABC said the loss of green space wouldn’t be too severe, given the presence of ‘Linear Park’ nearby.

But several councillors expressed confusion about this park, and said they had never heard of it.

In a statement, Cllr Lyn Suddards (Lab) said Linear Park is “a strip of land on the verge of Knoll Lane, owned by Kent County Council and covered in brambles. Most of it is not ‘usable open space’”.

Cllr William Howard (Con) added that calling Linear Park public green space was like telling residents “well, you live near the M20 and there’s a big green embankment either side of the M20, so you’ve got plenty of green space”.

“You’re not going to go and put your child on the embankment of the M20 though” he said.

Cllr Neil Shorter (Con) supported the application at Wednesday night's meeting, but said he did “get the angst with regards to Linear Park. I think that’s a travesty of description”.

All councillors who spoke said they recognised the need for the specialist accommodation.

But they also echoed concerns of residents about parking provision on already crowded roads, and the new block casting shadows over existing houses.

The plans were refused by 11 votes to two.

Earlier this year, residents said Oakleigh House was being vandalised daily, with two fires started deliberately on the same night.