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Swale council receives dozens of objections to Quinn Estates Highsted Park Garden Village for 9,250 homes

Dozens of objections have been raised to a council about a new garden village which would create 9,250 homes, five new schools and health facilities.

Swale council validated two applications from Quinn Estates for its Highsted Park Garden Village, proposing major developments to the south and east of Sittingbourne, close to Kent Science Park, as well as west of Teynham.

An aerial image of where Highsted Park Garden Village will be, if approved by Swale council (50498363)
An aerial image of where Highsted Park Garden Village will be, if approved by Swale council (50498363)

More than 50 people have registered their thoughts in a week.

Jean Harris, who lives in nearby Rodmersham, said: “I, as a voter, am appalled at the shallow electoral pledges so easily and soon overturned.

“The new proposals are not wanted by the majority of the Sittingbourne public.

“The only people who will benefit are the landowners making millions on land sales, while protecting their own area, and the developer who in their ‘generosity’ propose to pay for the M2 new link, only to re-coup huge profits from the housing developments to come.

“The area which is basically green countryside and narrow lanes will be overloaded with at least 16,000 more cars on the roads.”

An artist impression of what Highsted Park will look like if given the green light. Picture: Quinn Estates (50498365)
An artist impression of what Highsted Park will look like if given the green light. Picture: Quinn Estates (50498365)

While Janine Hall listed a number of “detrimental things” the development will affect, including traffic, the countryside, schools and medical services.

She commented: “The roads are crowded already and the slightest incident sends the town into gridlock.

“I feel the promise of new schools being provided is hollow. Where are the new schools in the developments which have already been allowed? Money seems to run out once the homes have been built.”

The housing plans come with pledges for a new junction on the M2, a new southern relief road, a northern relief road, 520 acres of parks and outdoor space and a new state-of-the-art sports hub for Sittingbourne FC.

Last week MP Gordon Henderson labelled the plans “concerning and unacceptable”, before calling for a public inquiry.

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