Council’s revised vision of the future

Council chiefs say their plans for thousands of new homes to be built in the borough are sound after setting out their vision for more than a decade to come.

Ashford Borough Council’s revised Local Plan to 2030 includes the building of 12,943 houses.

The increase in homes was brought about after the gov government ordered the author authority to find room for an extra 1,250 houses in the area in July last year.

So the council’s new plan has allocated sites for about 1,300 additional houses, com compared to its previous Local Plan which was published a year earlier.

Construction work is currently under way at sites including Bridgefield, Finberry and Park Farm, while work on Ashford’s largestever housing estate at Chilmington Green also got under way last year.

Last month the council denied claims that it was “turning its back on villages” despite the fact that an extra 345 houses will be built in villages.

Land in Kingsnorth has been earmarked for as many as 1,500 houses around the village.

The major development there would be the proposals for Court Lodge Farm, where 950 houses will be built, while there will also be 400 houses on land off Steeds Lane and Magpie Hall Road, and 150 houses south of Pound Lane.

Planning inspectors are now set to examine the council’s plan and determine whether it is sustainable for the future, and are expected to launch hearings later this spring.

Cllr Paul Clokie, the council portfolio holder for planning and development, s ai d more than 1,000 residents had taken part in the public consultation.

He said: “The scale of the consultation throughout the process has been significant, and where it has been reasonable to address objectors’ concerns, then the plan has been amended accordingly.

“I am confident that this is a sound document that offers the right strategy and policies for the future planning of the borough, here in the Garden of England.”

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Picture: Michael Taylor of the Chilmington Green A 3D aerial artist’s impression west of Ashford development to the south Fields surrounding Court Lodge Farm to the south of Pound Lane, Kingsnorth, have been earmarked for 950 homes Cllr Paul Clokie

Ashford Flying Geese mark the new Finberry Estate entrance; The Stour Meadows development