New images have been unveiled showing plans for a downscaled estate on agricultural land.
Vistry Homes has released new details showing how the proposal on the outskirts of Tenterden could look after failing to gain permission for a larger scheme four years ago.
The firm is promising to provide 50% affordable homes in the 141-home development alongside new roads, pavements, a sports pavilion and children’s play areas on Limes Land.
The houses would be a mix of detached, semi-detached, terrace and bungalows consisting of two affordable one-bedroom, 31 affordable two-bedroom, 38 affordable three-bedroom homes as well as 21 three-bedroom, 36 four-bedroom and 12 five-bedroom properties.
The development between Appledore Road and Woodchurch Road would also see 268 parking spaces, 51 visitor bays, 141 electric vehicle charging points and intermittent garages built.
Cycle storage would also be included within the site.
Regarding green space, a children’s play area, community orchards and footpaths would be created and 447 new trees would be planted.
Computer-generated images of a sports pavilion are also showcased in the plans for the reserved matters – aspects relating to the design, layout and landscaping which are not yet agreed – after outline permission was granted in 2022.
It comes after proposals for a 250-home development on the land were refused by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in 2020.
The following year, plans for 145 homes were refused but the 2022 application for up to 141 homes, of which 50% would be affordable, was approved at appeal.
However, members of the Lime Lands Protection Group (LLPG), which was formed in 2017 to oppose this development, continue to air concerns over what the build could mean for those who already live nearby.
One said the loss of privacy and security “due to the proximity of roads/paths/houses” was not acceptable.
Another was over the loss of wildlife corridors which would be destroyed amid the work as well as flooding in Appledore Road, which has happened before.
They also branded allocated parking in affordable housing areas as “chaotic”, adding the “loss of trees and hedgerows in a climate emergency is extremely regrettable and avoidable with careful design”.
Members of the group say they have requested a full process plan through to completion showing the necessary stages of work following the submission of the application.
They added: “It is expected that timescales can move, but for the residents living next to this site, this is not an unreasonable request.”
Also raising concerns over the road layout were bosses at Kent Fire and Rescue Service who say where there are between 50 and 300 houses on a development, they recommend there to be two points of access or, for there to be a loop with a short connection to a single point of access and a secondary emergency access link.
They recommended this be worked into the plans.
Fire service chiefs also said having footpath access around the property to a main entrance away from the parking location of a fire appliance should be discouraged because crews prefer to enter the property through the front door, not the rear garden so fires can be put out faster.
Similarly, bosses from NHS Kent and Medway say they think this proposal will impact the delivery of healthcare services so more funding to support services could be needed.
They estimated £150,624 towards refurbishment, reconfiguration and/or extension of existing general practice – Ivy Court Surgery and Woodchurch Surgery – and other healthcare premises in the area or new premises for general practice or healthcare services provided in the community, would be desirable.
“This proposal will generate approximately 418 new patient registrations in general practice based on the dwelling mix,” they added.
“The proposed development falls within the current practice boundaries of Ivy Court Surgery and Woodchurch Surgery.
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“The proposal will also increase demand for other healthcare services provided to the local population and will be considered as part of the integrated models of care that will be developed along with the infrastructure strategy for the East Kent Health and Care Partnership area.
“The need from this development, along with other new developments, will therefore need to be met through the creation of additional capacity in general practice and other healthcare premises.”
A decision on the reserved matters application will be made by planning officers at ABC.