Kentish Express Ashford & District
Community’s anger at ‘awful’ housing plans
Almost 1,700 properties now proposed for Kennington Exclusive
Controversial plans to build even more homes on the edge of Ashford can be revealed by the Kentish Express today.
Bosses at Gladman Developments want to erect 650 properties and a GP surgery on fields off the A28 behind the Old Mill pub in Kennington.
They are yet to lodge a formal planning application, but are also hoping to build a shop, a play area and a community centre off East Mountain Lane as part of the scheme.
It means almost 1,700 homes are now proposed for the outskirts of Kennington – including 700 at the so-called Big Burton development and 300 around Conningbrook Lakes.
Little Burton councillor Marion Martin (Con) said she was “completely opposed” to the new East Mountain Lane proposal.
“Fifty years ago, Kennington was a rural area but this development is awful and it is a terrible place to build houses,” she said.
“I feel for the people who live in Kennington and know the history of the area.
“When I first knew it, people wanted to come here but now it is extremely sad.”
Developers have submitted a scoping opinion document, which marks the first step of the planning application process.
It looks at the possible environmental impact of the scheme before developers formally lodge a full application with the council.
Leaders of Kennington Community Forum have already opposed the plans after discussing the scheme at their annual general meeting.
Cllr Martin added: “I am very much against it and think it is very sad, but I am only one councillor.
“I definitely feel the campaigners should keep opposing it and make their feelings known.
“I am dead against it, but these homes are not built yet and the people opposed to it should have their say.”
Newly elected Kennington Community Forum chairman Tony Bartlett criticised the timing of the scheme.
“It is opportunistic and we will resist it because it is outside of the Local Plan,” he said.
“I would not like to comment on its impact, but it is a matter of principle and the developer is being opportunistic.
“There is a general feeling across the borough that the government is pushing Ashford into having more houses than it wants.”
The Kentish Express contacted Gladman Developments for comment, but did not receive a response.
To view the scoping opinion document, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 17/00008/EIA/AS application.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk