FAQs
Q1: How many houses are proposed?
A: 117 new homes providing a range of housing types, designs and sizes, including affordable housing, smaller homes suitable for first-time buyers.
Q2. What type of housing is proposed?
A: Our plans provide a good mix of market and affordable homes across a range of property sizes to deliver a mixed and balanced community. Our proposals include a mixture of 1 to 5 bedroom homes, including apartments and houses. 40% of these homes will be affordable.
All homes will also be designed to accord with National Described Space Standards, to ensure all homes benefit from good levels of amenity.
Q3. What are reserved matters?
A: Reserved matters relate to the scale, appearance, layout, landscaping of the development. These matters were not determined when the outline permission was granted and provide details of how the development will appear and be laid out, including details of housing mix.
The reserved matters therefore refer to the detailed design of the development which still needs to be submitted to and approved by Maidstone Borough Council. However, these do not re-visit whether the principle of the development is acceptable because this has already been determined as part of the outline permission.
Q4. How will the open space on Site be managed and will it be publicly accessible?
A: The open space provided on site will be managed by a landscape management company but will remain accessible to those living outside the development.
Q5: Will the homes have sustainable features? Solar panels, EV charging points etc?
A: Yes. The proposals will incorporate renewable energy technologies. The precise form of technology to be used is currently unknown but all homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps or solar panels. EV charging will also be provided to all homes.
Q6: How will ecology be accommodated on the Site?
A: The application will be accompanied by a detailed landscaping plan which has been designed to accommodate suitable ecological habitat, and informed by up-to-date ecological surveys. This design incorporates planting types that are ecology friendly and support biodiversity on the site. Where necessary existing habitats will also be retained and enhanced, this includes the retention of the ponds to the south. Some elements of the traditional orchard will also remain.
New tree planting will be provided throughout the development and homes will be designed to accommodate features such as bird and bat boxes.
Q7: If permission is granted when would construction work be expected to begin and when would it be completed?
It is expected that development will commence early 2027 and be completed in 2030.
Q8: How will the owners and occupiers of adjacent homes be protected from disturbance during the construction period?
A: Condition 7 of the outline consent, requires a Construction Method Statement to be submitted before work on the development starts. When submitted, this will confirm construction working hours, noise levels of any equipment, pollution control, dust suppression and location of parking for contractors.
Q9. How can local infrastructure cope with the impact of additional homes on services and facilities?
A: To mitigate the impacts of the development on local services and infrastructure the development will pay contributions in accordance with the Maidstone Borough Council’s adopted Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The proposals also secure a range of contributions towards different infrastructure items such as education contributions, sports contributions, and Public Right of Way Improvements.
This is secured in the Legal Agreement (S106) which accompanies the outline permission.
