Public meeting over 1,800-home development plans

A public meeting is being held on Monday to discuss plans for a new community of 1,740 houses in Kent.

Winterbourne Fields, which would be in Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, would also include 160 retirement homes and a primary school.

The plan is being opposed by the local wildlife trust because it is next door to woodland.

The meeting takes place in Dunkirk Village Hall at 19:30 BST.

Developer Shaptor has submitted a planning application to Swale Borough Council.

The scheme also includes 67 acres (27 hectares) of public open space, including sport pitches and a three mile (five kilometre) recreation trail, an employment park and improved links to the A2.

There would also be a charging hub for 36 electric vehicles.

On its website the developer said: "The destination village will set new standards for how to live sustainably; providing much needed homes with green open space and facilities to serve everyone’s daily needs on the doorstep of every home."

Kent Wildlife Trust is opposing the development because of its location beside South Blean Woods local wildlife site.

The Trust said this was a breeding site for birds and heath fritillary butterflies, one of the UK's rarest species, which it claimed could be affected by noise, artificial light and changes in air quality.

In a statement the Trust said: "The development risks direct onsite habitat loss, including deciduous woodland and hedgerows which numerous breeding bird species, bats, hedgehogs, reptiles, and dormice rely on."

The Woodland Trust is also objecting to the proposal, describing it as "likely to ultimately result in deterioration of these irreplaceable habitats".

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.