Villages unite in opposition to new estate

Plans to build a new estate have united two villages in opposition.

Neither Loose nor Coxheath residents want the development, with traffic a major concern for both.

Loose Parish Council called a meeting in the King George V Pavilion on Monday to discuss the proposal from Charterhouse Property Group to build 210 homes in Forstal Lane.

Although located in Coxheath, there are only two ways for traffic leaving – west to Stockett Lane, or east into narrow Well Street and Loose village.

The meeting was attended by 55 residents and ward councillors.

Cllr Susan Grigg (Lib Dem) described the application as a “catastrophe for Loose”, but conceded the site’s allocation for 195 homes in the Local Plan would make it difficult to fight.

Sally McDermid, of Hands Off Coxheath Group, said the two communities were combining to fight the proposal.

Coxheath is already facing 110 new homes at Heathfield; 77 at Clockhouse; 74 in Stockett Lane, and 50 under consideration at Ollders Farm.

The developers said their vision was “to create a distinctive, high quality place that encourages a sustainable way of living.”

So far Maidstone council has received 65 letters of objection.

See planning application 17/502072.