Kentish Express Ashford & District
Plan would destroy our village identity insist objectors
Developers have submitted plans for up to 750 new homes across 60 hectares of land in Kingsnorth.
The outline planning application put forward by Pentland Homes and Jarvis Homes could see the construction of a primary school, shops and road improvements.
The Kingsnorth Green development would see a mix of high, medium, and low density housing areas in fields off Pound Lane, Magpie Hall Road, and in the fields both sides of Bond Lane.
Project spokesman Ian Bull said: “Ashford is facing a housing crisis with the need for new homes far outpacing current building rates. Kingsnorth Green will help address this issue.
“Our proposal will deliver up to 750 much-needed open market and affordable homes for Ashford.
“The houses are spread evenly across the site in what is the lowest density large-scale housing application submitted to Ashford Borough Council for decades.”
But the plans have already attracted criticism from residents.
Gordon McBain, of Haywain Close in Kingsnorth, described it as a building by stealth development and said the council had failed to notify residents about the plans.
Meanwhile others such as Rod and Ruthie Gilbert, and David Nutley, have expressed their concerns that the rural character of Kingsnorth will be lost.
Mr and Mrs Gilbert said: “Specifically, we draw attention to the unique historic buildings in Mill Hill and Ashford Road, which includes the oldest in the village, Mill House, built in 1670 and The Old Mill, The Barn, and Mill End.
“There must be wide open space around these, linked down to the Parish church St Michaels to keep the heart of the village alive. Keeping Kingsnorth rural is essential.”
Mr Nutley said: “This large scale development is totally disproportionate to the village. Kingsnorth has now effectively merged with Ashford to the north, and this development will completely destroy the village identity of Kingsnorth.”
Mr Bull defended the plans, and says it will be based on a carefully considered village green design layout which will be built in stages over a five-year period.
He says the developers are continuing to maintain and protect the rural environment.
“The housing forms just part of the overall plans, with substan- tial landscape, ecology, and biodiversity works also included.
“This ensures we develop a high quality village community people will be proud to live in.”
What do you think of the plans? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk