Plans for two ‘Grand Designs’ style homes built into a disused reservoir in Strood were rejected by councillors.

The three and four bedroomed homes at Broomhill Park were intended to be ultra-modern and luxurious.

Numerous objections were raised by councillors about developing in the Green Flag park.

The Friends of Broomhill Park objected to the proposal because it conflicts with the council’s 10-Year Vision Document and argued that, if granted, it would set a precedent for development on other land adjacent to the park.

Secretary Odette Buchanan said: “It will obscure all the panoramic views that we now have at the top of the hill, and it will be intrusive and harm the wildlife, flora and fauna that’s up here.

“We’ve been awarded a green flag for the past four years and found outstanding by the Royal Horticultural Society –people come here from all over north west Kent.”

When councillors from the planning committee visited the site last month, residents gathered to voice their concerns.

They were joined by Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless who said the houses would be “completely out of character”.

His Labour parliamentary opponent Naushabah Khan added: “We all understand that there is a housing problem, but we have got to be sure that we take the needs of the community into consideration.”

At the planning meeting last night (Wednesday) Cllr Glyn Griffiths said the houses would be impossible to market given their location among breath-taking views are not something they actually benefit from – instead they would look out over a large telecom mast.

At the same time they would be blot the landscape for others.

The plans were rejected, to the sound of claps from the public gallery.