Developers have launched a bid to further progress £40 million plans to create a new country park and 330-home estate.

The Anderson Group is in the process of transforming the former gunpowder and aggregates site at the Oare Gravel Works in Faversham.

The proposals for the sprawling 131-acre site, which development bosses claim can bring benefits to the whole town, will see the creation of a nature park boasting new footpaths, bird hides and wildlife havens.

Given the name Faversham Lakes, the scheme stretches up to the East Kent Recycling site, neighbours Oare Windmill and Davington Primary School, and is accessed off Ham Road.

Having already secured the go-ahead for the first third of its proposals, the Anderson Group is now trying to secure permission for the next 106 homes.

The site was originally developed as a gunpowder works, supplying firepower from the 16th century for both military purposes and the blasting of canals and railways.

The facility closed down in 1934 owing to its vulnerability to an air attack, and following military use during the Second World War, it was repurposed for mineral extraction use Brett Aggregates.

Supplies of aggregates were exhausted in the late 2000s and outline planning permission for the 330-home residential development and creation of a country park was granted in 2017.

The Anderson Group, a Chelmsford-based development company with a nationwide portfolio, took over the reins as developers in 2018 and the full go-ahead for the first 113 homes was rubber-stamped in the following April.

Work building the first phase has since continued and now developers are seeking approval to start work on the next 106 homes.

The plans, which range from one to five-bed properties and include 33 affordable homes, have been submitted to Swale Borough Council this month.

Should they be given the seal of approval, the second phase of homes will be built in the same architectural style as the first batch.

As part of the wider scheme, a visitor centre ‘heritage hub’ for the country park is set be created by bringing derelict work buildings back into life.

A new headquarters for the 8th Faversham Sea Scout troop, which has been based at the site for more than 40 years, will also be delivered as part of the multi-million pound project.

Developers have also completed a new car park for Davington Primary School as part of the deal for the go-ahead of the scheme.

A plot of land in the northern area of the site is earmarked to become a recreational ground with a footpath running around the outside.

It was previously a landfill site up until the 1970s when Bretts took on the site.

A spokesman for the Anderson Group says the firm is extremely excited to be delivering the Faversham scheme.

“As people will know, we have already received an outline planning approval for 330 homes and with the first phase of new homes near to completion, the school car park completed and renovations to the listed buildings in progress, we are now looking to move forward with our second phase; making up 106 of the approved 330 homes,” they said.

“Many consider Faversham Lakes to be an exemplary development and have been pleased with the quality of the build to date.

“Sales rates have been exceptional coming out of lockdown and local people are buying homes at our development which is rewarding in itself. We meet regularly with residents, the town council and Swale councillors to ensure that we are delivering to expectations.”

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