Residents have expressed their anger over a property developer’s plan to build new homes in a village. They claim that “someone is going to get killed.”
Esquire Developments has unveiled proposals for the rollout of 17 mixed-use homes in the heart of Wingham, near Canterbury.
But the company’s plans submitted to Dover City Council have sparked a strong response from 105 objections, many of which concern a potentially dangerous intersection.
Anne Ethell disagrees with Esquire’s access route from Gobery Hill, saying: “Anyone can understand that it is ridiculous to put a crossing there.
“I wouldn’t want my grandchildren to cross there. If you encourage people to cross there, someone will get killed.”
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Gemma Porter added: “The access area to the proposed homes is on a high traffic road and would create a dangerous turning.”
Esquire insists the 1.3 hectare estate will create “an exciting opportunity” while increasing housing stock.
The company hopes to build 12 private homes, eight of which will have three bedrooms and the rest will have four.
There will also be two social rental homes, one affordable home and two starter homes with 39 parking spaces.
The Longfield-based company said in planning documents: “The intention of the development is to create an integrated and well-designed community that contributes positively to the housing and land supply mix in the local area.
“This mix in favor of smaller unit types is suitable for starters and younger families who want to stay in the village.
“Particular care and attention has been given from the outset to the siting of the neighbouring buildings and the preservation of Wingham’s rural environment.
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“They represent an exciting opportunity to deliver a new and well-designed addition to Wingham, benefiting the wider neighborhood and sustaining an important local amenity [by] continue to serve the local and wider community.”
The application comes four years after Leath Park Developments was refused permission for 15 homes on the same site.
Planning chiefs then highlighted the safety issues for pedestrians at the junction with Gobery Hill and Preston Hill.
But the plan would not be officially scrapped until May 2022, when the Planning Inspectorate rejected Leath’s appeal after a protracted dispute.
Esquire states that the revised application will see the provision of ‘pedestrian crossings’, including one next to the priority line in Preston Hill.
The proposed work will also include narrowing part of the intersection to reduce vehicle speeds and improve visibility between motorists and pedestrians.
An overrun area should also be created for larger vehicles to use the intersection.
But more than a hundred opponents believe the development should be rejected again due to security fears.
Some are concerned about the village’s rapid growth, which in 2021 had a population of less than 2,000.
“There are numerous houses for sale in the village that have been on the market for many, many months,” wrote Ms. Bettina Braun.
“There is no need for more expensive homes that locals and our young people cannot afford – even so-called affordable homes are not affordable for locals.
“There is a development of 70 houses that has been granted planning permission, including a mix of houses and affordable housing specifically for local people, which better suits local needs.
“So there is no need for more houses now.”
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According to project developers, the number of proposed homes has increased from 15 to 17 because the latest proposal has different home sizes and there are fewer detached homes.
In February, councillors unanimously approved plans for 71 new homes 2.2 kilometres (1.4 miles) away on land north of Staple Road.
The nod was given despite residents’ fears of overdevelopment and damage to wildlife.