A supermarket has withdrawn plans for a housing development, more than 20 years after it first proposed building a store on the site.

Tesco submitted a proposal for 61 homes on a 29,000 sq m plot of farmland in September 2021.

It hoped to build 36 properties comprising 20 houses and 16 flats, plus 21 affordable homes featuring 15 houses and 10 maisonettes.

Some 95 car parking spaces were also on the cards.

The retailer acquired the land, off George Street, Staplehurst, more than 20 years ago when it put forward plans for a new shop in 2003.

However, the company has now withdrawn its application for the homes, which would have been opposite Staplehurst station.

It comes after planning officers at Maidstone council advised Tesco its application would likely be refused.

It was noted the development would go against Maidstone council’s Local Plan and its spatial strategy for the location of new housing.

Concerns were also raised about the project potentially causing harm to the appearance and character of the countryside.

However, information in Tesco’s planning statement, submitted by developers Montagu Evans, read: “Its potential to offer a positive response to its character area in a highly-sustainable location has been addressed and pursued as part of this application.”

Prior to the withdrawal, Staplehurst Parish Council had asked for the plans to be turned down.

In its submission to planners, it said: “Councillors recommend the application is refused and request the application to be referred to Maidstone council’s planning committee were the planning officer minded to approve.

“Development north of the railway line is outside of the village envelope and as such does not meet the requirements for development in the countryside.

“Councillors strongly believe every effort should be made to protect the open countryside and landscapes of local value such as the Staplehurst Low Weald.”

Tesco has been approached for more information as to why it has officially pulled out of the plans.

In 2003 the retailer had announced an application for a new 2,000 sq m store on the same site.

It started a battle with the supermarket’s rival Sainsbury’s, which delayed plans for its own store in the village to await the outcome of Tesco’s bid.

Although the Tesco plan had been given the thumbs up by villagers, the store announced it was withdrawing from the project in 2005 due to difficulties with officers at Maidstone council.

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Tesco submitted a new application in 2012 for a store and petrol station with 660 car parking spaces, plus a further 39 spaces for commuters using the railway station.

Yet this was also refused in May 2013 with a subsequent appeal withdrawn.

It resubmitted the proposal the following year but again saw its application turned down.

The Sainsbury’s was eventually opened in 2021.

It is understood Tesco has no further plans to build a supermarket or housing development in the village.