Kentish Express Ashford & District
HOMES DELAY
■ Poor water quality holds up construction of 725-home ‘Large Burton’ development ■ Bosses had hoped to start work last year as housebuilder ‘ready to go’ ■ Controversial scheme yet to be signed off by council despite approval vote
Construction of a controversial housing estate is being held up by poor water quality levels at an internationally important nature reserve.
Quinn Estates had hoped to start work on its 725-home Conningbrook Park, or ‘Large Burton’, scheme last year after planning permission was narrowly approved by just one vote in May.
But a formal planning decision is yet to be issued by Ashford Borough Council as wetlands at Stodmarsh Nature Reserve outside Canterbury, which are a haven for wildlife, are deemed to be suffering from high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous.
Experts say waste water discharges from existing housing developments filtering into the River Stour and Stodmarsh’s lakes are the cause of the problem at the reserve.
Councils across east Kent have been forced to put decisions on housing projects on hold while the best course of action to tackle the reserve’s deteriorating water quality is decided upon.
Quinn Estates says it means there is no start date scheduled for its Kennington development, which also includes a new site for Ashford Bowls Club, a two-form entry primary school and community centre on land off Willesborough Road.
“Construction has not been able to commence as a formal planning decision has not yet been issued by the council,” a spokeswoman said.
“Last year Natural England released guidance that applies across much of Kent requiring all applications that provide for overnight accommodation to demonstrate there is no impact on the Stodmarsh special area of conservation near Canterbury.
“We are working through this issue with the council so as to ensure the decision can be issued as soon as possible and construction commence on site.
“As a result, despite a housebuilder being ready to go onto site to deliver houses and the other facilities, there is no start date scheduled although we are close to concluding the necessary nutrients work and so hope to be on site this summer.”
Last month, Kent County Council confirmed the site’s primary school – which will cater for 420 pupils – has been approved for funding by the Department for Education.
To be called the Conningbrook CofE Primary, it will be run by the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust.
The spokeswoman added: “We have been contacted by KCC which has confirmed the new primary school has been approved by the DfE for funding, with the aim of accelerating the delivery of a much-needed primary school to serve the area, land and funding for which is secured by the development.
“There are many stages to go before a build contract can be entered into and the funding is assured, but this is very good news.”
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