Chilmington Green latest

Ashford Borough Council is also inviting people to share their ideas on how they can keep up to date with the town’s largest ever housing development.

Some 5,750 homes will be built in the countryside at Chilmington Green to the west of Singleton and Washford Farm, with initial access work already under way.

The council and its partners want to ask people how they can be “educated” about what’s happening, “engaged” in the building of the new community and “empowered” to create a vibrant place to live.

They want to create a draft community development strategy between now and 2019 and want to form a Community Management Organisation to oversee playgrounds, parks, community centres, and more.

The organisation will then manage the facilities on behalf of residents and will play a role in “driving forward community action”.

Cabinet member for culture Cllr Mike Bennett said: “We welcome the views of residents on the strategy and so we are hoping many people will come along and talk to the people involved, hear more about the proposals and comment on them.

“This strategy is ambitious and regards the involvement of the residents as central to success.”

A public consultation will be held at Singleton Environment Centre next Wednesday from 4.30pm until 7pm. Anyone unable to attend can visit www.ashford. gov.uk/chilmington-greenintroduction

A 3D aerial artist’s impression of the Chilmington Green development to the south west of Ashford; Cabinet member for culture Cllr Mike Bennett has said the council welcomes residents’ views on the strategy