Housing Development Bid to Fund New Community Centre in Preston

Preston: There’s a buzz in the village about a new housing plan that could really change things up. If the proposal for 53 new homes gets the green light, it could lead to some fantastic community facilities.

The land, known as Six Acres, is owned by the Preston Parish Council. Selling it could bring in a whopping £1.73 million. The council hopes to use that cash to buy the old Preston Garden Centre, which is up for sale after closing last summer.

If all goes well, the garden centre could be transformed into a new village hall. The current one is getting a bit old and tired, so this would be a welcome upgrade.

Tommy Gale, the parish council chairman, is pretty excited about the potential. He believes this could give Preston some of the best facilities in Kent, something they’ve been dreaming about for years.

But not everyone is on board. There have been over 25 objections from locals worried about losing farmland and the impact on traffic and infrastructure. Some folks think the village is already seeing too much development.

Still, others, like resident Matt Radbourne, see this as a great chance for sustainable housing. The council is also looking to redirect some funds from a previous development to help with the garden centre purchase.

At a recent public meeting, a survey showed that more people support the village hall idea than oppose it. So, it seems like there’s a bit of a divide in opinions.

Quinn Estates, the company behind the housing plan, insists it will bring real benefits to the village, including affordable homes and new community spaces. It’s a lot to think about, and the future of Preston could be on the line.