Development vehicle Otterpool Park put in revised outline plans last April
Council-owned development vehicle Otterpool Park has secured outline planning permission for a 8,500-home garden village in Kent.
Work is expected to start on the development later this year and will include 1,870 affordable homes and over 400 self-build properties.
Andy Jarrett, managing director of Otterpool Park, said it was a “landmark decision” following seven years of planning, masterplanning and community engagement.
“We are committed to creating an exemplar and sustainable garden town that will do so much more than meet local housing needs,” Jarrett said.
“Having secured outline planning, our immediate focus now is to submit the details for the first phase and then start work on site by the end of the year.”
Work can now start on infrastructure that will serve the new and neighbouring communities. The development will aim to reduce car usage around Westenhanger train station and will include electric vehicle charging points.
It also aims to protect and increase access to local historic sites, including Westenhanger Castle, mediaeval barns, WWII facilities at Lympne Airfield and a Roman villa.
The scheme includes 87,500 sqm of employment floor space, 67,000 sqm of education and community facilities and 8,000 sqm of hotel floorspace.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s planning and licensing committee approved the plans on Tuesday. Otterpool Park’s detailed planning for the first phase includes the town centre and Castle Park, a park centred around Westenhanger Castle.
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