8,500 homes in major NEW TOWN plan for Kent

Transformative plans to build a new 8,500-home town in Kent have been approved. 

Otterpool Park LLP has been granted outline planning permission to build a major new community near Folkestone, on behalf of Folkestone & Hythe District Council. 

It is the first stage of a three-tiered planning approach for delivery of Otterpool Park Garden Town, preceding a phased masterplan, design code and delivery plan, and then reserved matters. 

The site is south of the M20 and west of Junction 11 and stretches from the village of Lympne to the south to Barrow Hill in the west. It covers around 765 hectares and includes the former Folkestone Racecourse, Newingreen and Westenhanger village and station.   

Otterpool Park Garden Town 

• Up to 8,500 homes, including more than 1,870 affordable and 400 self-build units. 
• 942,000 sq ft of employment space, including commercial business hubs, a business park and light industrial park. 
• 312,000 sq ft of retail space. 
• 721,180 sq ft of education and community facilities, including up to seven primary and two secondary schools, as well as nurseries and crèches, health centres, places of worship and community centres. 
• An 86,100 sq ft hotel, and 91,500 sq ft of leisure space including a sports pavilion and indoor sports hall. 

Infrastructure and utilities  

A new electrical substation, water network and fibre broadband network will be installed.  

An integrated transport network will be created to connect the new garden town and reduce car use, centred around Westenhanger train station. 

Electric vehicle (EV) charge points will be available throughout, and other measures aimed at boosting biodiversity by 20%.  

Around half of Otterpool Park will be open space with new cycling and walking routes and significant historic features retained, including bronze age barrows, Roman villa remains, Westenhanger Castle and its medieval barns, world war airfield remains and Folkestone Racecourse’s parade circle.  

Project team 

• Quod (planning and development) 
• Arcadis (engineering)  
• Tibbalds (planning and urban design)  
• Farrells (architects) 

Otterpool Park LLP will now progress the detailed planning for the first phase.  

Works are scheduled to start later this year. It is understood delivery will span around 30 years. 

Construction Wave contacted Otterpool Park LLP to request further details about the construction and utility firms it has appointed.  

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