Local Plan: Target of 3,000 homes is "over-ambitious"

Almost 3,000 homes, two new schools and a sports hub have been earmarked for Herne Bay in a controversial council document.

The huge developments on four sites in the town were included in the draft Local Plan. It means applications for massive housing estates in Herne, Hillborough, Greenhill and on the former golf club site are almost certain to get the go-ahead.

The document’s release has sparked fears too many homes are being built in Herne Bay, with the town earmarked for half of the district's eight major development sites before 2031.

Environmental groups say the focus is too much on meeting economic targets, rather than considering the environment and people's wellbeing.

Sir Roger Gale MP

MP Sir Roger Gale says he would oppose plans if they were for "little boxes" rather than homes with gardens. He said:

"My overriding concern would be in terms of density of the development, the number of houses being proposed and the transport infrastructure. This is not a local MP saying ‘over my dead body’. It is a question of saying this has got to be right and done in the right order.

I would have been surprised if Herne Bay was not chosen as a large site to meet the district's housing needs. There is a need for housing and, over the last 15 years or so, far too few homes have been built nationally. But I don't want to see the totality of Herne Bay's environment demolished to accommodate the city district's housing needs. The pain has gotta be shared"

Under the plans, 1,000 homes would be built at Hillborough, 300 at Strode Farm, 600 at Greenhill, 400 at Herne Bay Golf Club and 190 on land at Bullockstone Road.

Planning permission for 50 homes on the site at Greenbill has already been submitted by Hollamby Estates, which is also behind plans for Strode Farm. Sir Roger added:

"There is a vast difference between 50 and 600 homes. We need to talk about that and gather soundings of local opinion to reach an acceptable compromise. We need the right kind of housing and that means family homes with gardens. Given the figures before us, I am concerned about the density. The demand is for three to five-bedroom housing. It is a question of making the right kind of provision. It sounds to me like there will be lots of little boxes and if that is so then I would have to oppose it."

Director of the Kent branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Dr Hilary Newport added:

"The infra-structure constraints are always a concern. We are concerned about the level of housing growth across the board. It is based on over-ambitious growth targets. It does not take into account proper sustainability. This is too much to do with the growth of the economy, rather than the environment and people's well-being."

Canterbury City Council leader John Gilbey has rejected suggestions the authority could opt for fewer homes. He said:

"We have no choice. If we put in for 500 homes a year, it will not get past the first stage of the planning inspection and will be bounced straight back, just wasting money. We need a plan, otherwise it will be a free-for-all for developers and we will lose appeals."

HB Gazette 9th May 2013