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Plans for 700 homes on Barton Hill Drive in Minster to be discussed by Swale council

Vital road works hinge on whether councillors give permission to build a new estate of 700 homes.

Swale council has called an extraordinary planning committee meeting to discuss the development at Barton Hill Drive, Minster, on Sheppey.

The meeting next Thursday is likely to be particularly contentious due to proposed works to widen a busy route alongside the scheme.

700 homes are planned for this field along the Lower Road at Minster, Sheppey
700 homes are planned for this field along the Lower Road at Minster, Sheppey

Plans to widen the Lower Road rest on permission for the 700 homes being granted.

The meeting is at 7pm in the council chamber of Swale House in East Street, Sittingbourne.

An overflow area for the public will be available in a nearby committee room.

The head of planning is asking for officers to be given delegated powers to agree the outline plans of scheme, subject to conditions and the completion of a section 106 agreement.

Artist's impression of how the estate could look like
Artist's impression of how the estate could look like

The agreement would force the developers to contribute more than £1.2 million towards widening the Lower Road which is the main route to Minster and Leysdown.

Without the agreement, Kent Highways says it will not be able to complete the vital roadworks.

The plans include up to 700 homes on 37.5 hectares of farmland with all necessary supporting infrastructure including land for provision of a convenience store, community hall, open space, play areas, access roads, footpaths, cycleways, parking, landscaping and drainage.

Suggested layout of the homes
Suggested layout of the homes

The site stretches from the Minster campus of the Oasis Academy and rear gardens of Parsonage Chase and the Lovell Road play area to Barton Hill Drive and the Lower Road. Parsonage Farm, a Grade II listed building, is nearby.

Kent Country Council is asking for:

  • £4,535 per house and £1,134 per flat towards Phase 1 of a new primary school at Rushenden, Queenborough (total £3,091,090)
  • £820,00 towards building a secondary school at Quinton Road, Sittingbourne
  • £60.43 per dwelling (total £42,298.68) as a Community Learning contribution towards Sheerness Adult Education centre
  • £37.58 Youth Services contribution (total £26,308.25) towards Sheerness Youth Centre
  • £48.02 Library contribution (total £33,611.07) towards additional stock and shelving at Minster-on-Sea library
  • £60.09 Social Care contribution (total £42,693.00 towards Changing Place facilities at Sheppey Healthy Living Centre
Farm land where the homes would be built
Farm land where the homes would be built

Kent Highways want:

  • £1,223,000 towards the Lower Road widening scheme
  • £245,000 towards public transport enhancements
  • Provision of a pedestrian and cycle link between the site and Lovell Road
  • Bus stops within the site or in Barton Hill Drive
  • £20,000 towards improvements to Queenborough Road
  • £20,000 towards improvements at Halfway crossroads
  • A puffin crossing in Barton Hill Drive
  • £232,600 towards electric car charge points
  • £38,000 for cycle storage
Barton Hill Drive
Barton Hill Drive

NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group wants:

  • £604,800 towards expanding Minster medical centre.

Others require:

  • A bin contribution of £101 per house and £945 for each five flats
  • A SPA Mitigation contribution of £239.61 per dwelling
  • Off-site sports contribution of £160,000 for new changing rooms at Sheppey Rugby Club.
  • £200,000 towards a shop within the development.

There is also a list of 48 conditions

The scheme is being proposed by farmers SW Attwood and Partners.

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