Plans for Kent garden town may be brought forward

Plans to bring forward the construction of a garden town in the east Kent countryside are a step closer after an agreement between a council and the government

Permission was granted in 2023 for infrastructure work to begin on the 8,500-home plan at Otterpool Park near Folkestone.

Graham Horner, from CPRE, the countryside charity, said: "The Otterpool Park development is the least worst option in the area if government housebuilding targets have to be met."

Jim Martin, Folkestone & Hythe District Council's leader, said an agreement with the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, was "excellent news for Otterpool Park and for the district as a whole".

The six-month agreement will give the council access to additional skills and expertise necessary to attract the level of investment for development the size of Otterpool Park, a spokesperson said.

Mr Martin, said: “Projected financial returns from Otterpool Park underpin the council’s longer term financial strategy, aiming to improve the financial sustainability of the council and provide a long-term source of income to reinvest in the district and improve services for all residents.”

The council owns or has options on 90% of the land needed to deliver the development.

Councillors had decided that continuing to fund it to levels previously agreed was a risk for the council.

Cabinet then voted for the council to explore partnership options and reduce that risk.

A report due to be discussed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council's cabinet on Wednesday states that the main focus will be on "delivery of the first homes with community, commercial, educational, retail and recreational use".

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