The proposals have already faced some backlash following a public exhibition
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Plans have been put forward for a new 1,600 home community between Aylesford and Ditton. The East Malling Trust's proposals also include a new primary school and community facilities – all set on 53 hectares of land. It comes as a public exhibition into the plans was held last Thursday (February 9). It focuses on an area of land between Hermitage Lane and Kiln Barn Road.
Quarry Wood Industrial Estate can be found to the north of this site, while there is also the Maidstone East railway line running nearby. The East Malling Trust states that it was previously earmarked as an 'Area of Opportunity' for residential development in the draft Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan.
The primary school would have a two-form entry and would be available to families living at Bradbourne. There will also be a new local centre for residents, which includes a park and community facilities.
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Among the 1,600 homes, there will also be a mix of housing types and sizes including affordable housing options. Residents will also have access to walking and cycling links to Barming railway station in addition to shops in the local area.
Among the benefits of the proposed development, East Malling Trust says the location will be well-connected and will have "walkable and safe neighbourhoods". On its website, it said: "It is proposed to bring forward a sustainable community – comprising new public facilities including small retail outlets to serve local residents and a primary school within the centre of the development – through a landscape focused masterplan-led approach."
However, the plans have already received backlash following yesterday's public exhibition. Local MP Tracey Crouch took to Facebook to say the proposals "effectively means Allington, Aylesford, Barming and Ditton all become one big extension of Maidstone with no green space in between.
"I have seen some pretty awful, damaging, ill thought through proposals in my time as your MP but this one was the worst I have seen," Tracey Crouch said. "The fancy pop ups highlighted the complete lack of infrastructure – not just in and around Ditton or Hermitage Lane but East Malling and there was no mention of a doctors surgery or secondary school, let alone the environmental impact on both scarce supplies of water nor pollution from an extra 3200 cars!"
Tracey Crouch ended her statement by saying that the council leader has confirmed there have been no discussions with East Malling Trust over a planning application.
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