1,150 homes to solve road problem claims developer
Proposal for 350-acre scheme slammed by parish council
A 350-acre development on the A249 will solve the road’s problems – that’s the view of the man behind the proposal. But Detling Parish Council isn’t so sure.
Mark Quinn’s comments came after a second public consultation on plans for Binbury Park next to the Kent Showground.
Around 70 people went ot last Tuesday’s meeting at Detling Village Hall, with 110 residents turning up at a similar event in August.
Amended plans were presented, with Quinn Estates hoping to build 1,150 homes, 650,000 sq ft of commercial space, a hotel, a local centre and a primary school on the site.
Quinn also hopes to create the county’s largest country park and a new roundabout on the A249.
When plans first emerged there were two schemes – one for 350 homes and the second for 1,450 homes.
But the company has settled on the 1,150 figure after feedback from more than 100 residents.
Mr Quinn said: “We have no doubt what we are proposing will unlock the potential of this strategically important site, providing much needed new homes and crucially a solution to the problems plaguing the A249 corridor for years.”
But Cllr Chris Evernden, chairman of planning at Detling Parish Council, said: “The A249 is already working at the limits or maybe even beyond its capacity, especially when it hits junction 7 of the M20. This development will only make it worse and I don’t think the roundabout will help at all.”
The 62-year-old, of Scragged Oak Road, said the parish’s biggest concern is Binbury Park is in the middle of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is protected by the Local Plan.
“It will be a scar on the landscape,” he said, adding Maid- stone Borough Council’s work on the Local Plan has been good and he thinks it will reject the application.
The Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer, who went to the first consultation, is unsure whether Quinn will deliver on its promise of building the country park and thinks the development and the pets residents bring with them will have a negative impact on wildlife.
Mr Quinn says Binbury Park will create more than 2,000 jobs.