Could Kent Be On Track For More Housing?

Land around some of Kent’s railway stations could soon deliver thousands of new homes if proposed government changes to the planning system are taken forward, according to a leading national planning lawyer based in the county.

With the UK government planning to introduce a “default yes” planning policy for new housing near well-connected transport hubs, many developers are now looking at bringing forward proposals for land close to qualifying smaller rural stations, as well as the larger ones in Kent’s towns.

The proposals are intended to boost housing delivery, given that many councils are unable to identify sufficient land for new homes and struggling to hit ambitious housing targets set for them by the Government, as well as those which do not have a Local Plan in place.

Nicola Gooch, Partner at Birketts’ office in Sevenoaks, said: “Kent has seen a decade of significant housing growth along the north of the county and the highspeed rail line around Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. As London’s property prices continued to rise, many commuters chose to relocate to Kent, with developers eager to provide suitable  properties.

“With the UK Government proposing to introduce a “default yes” planning policy for new housing near well-connected transport hubs in England, many landowners and housebuilders are now considering bringing forward proposals for land close to qualifying smaller rural stations, as well as the larger ones in Kent’s towns.”

New homes have already been successfully delivered on land around the Ebbsfleet International and Northfleet stations, thanks to the work of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, as part of major housing-led infrastructure schemes supported by national policy and Homes England.

Interest in housing developments has also been generated by Government proposals for councils to inform the Secretary of State when they are inclined to refuse applications of 150 homes or more. As a result, Ministers would have the option to step in and make the decision to avoid good housing projects being refused.

Recent examples of railway station-related proposed developments, include:

• Sevenoaks: A major mixed-use redevelopment at Sevenoaks railway station and surrounding car parks – for approximately 400 residential units with high densities of dwellings per hectare, plus, potentially 12-storey tower blocks, retail space, and improved parking is being proposed.
• Tunbridge Wells: Plans have been unveiled for 120 built-to-rent flats, while retaining 405 car parking opposite railway station by Grifo Developments.
• Maidstone East: Plans have been recently approved for 180 apartments, plus commercial buildings and open space.
• Rochester: Plans have been approved for Donard Living to develop a mix of 296 homes – built to rent, built for sale, affordable and later living apartments on the site, close to the recently improved Rochester railway station.
• Maidstone: the Borough Council’s Heathlands Garden settlement project has plans for 5,000 new homes and would require the delivery of a new railway station plus close to Lenham.
• Otterpool: Proposals are progressing for the creation of a new settlement around Westenhanger railway station, near Folkestone, with 8,500 new homes by the local council, Homes England and partners.

The Government believes that amongst the criteria for developing these new homes would be that they are within a reasonable walking distance of 800m from a station or close to a cycle route, but this will be the subject of further consultation. Evidence from the latest National Travel Survey suggests that people are willing to walk up to 1,600m to their nearest train station.