Plans for a new housing estate in Whitstable face mixed reactions as approval looms
Whitstable: There’s a new housing estate in the works, and it’s stirring up quite a bit of chatter. The plan is for 220 homes, a shop, and a park and ride area just off Old Thanet Way.
Now, this proposal has been met with some serious pushback from locals since it popped up last year. But the folks at Canterbury City Council are leaning towards giving it the green light, saying it could really help with the housing shortage.
Some councillors are not too happy, though. They argue that the project is more about bringing in commuters from outside rather than meeting the needs of local residents. They feel the focus on larger homes doesn’t help those looking for affordable options.
On the flip side, the developer, Catesby Estates, has made some adjustments. They’ve cut the number of homes to 220, with a good chunk set aside for affordable housing and first-time buyers. If all goes well, this estate will be about a mile and a half from the town center.
It’ll also feature a shop, a play area, and a park and ride for 300 cars. Catesby claims the affordable homes will blend in seamlessly with the rest of the development.
However, residents are worried about local services. Many have pointed out that schools and healthcare facilities are already stretched thin. An NHS rep even mentioned that the new homes could lead to hundreds of new patient registrations, which could overwhelm the current system.
Despite these concerns, the council believes this development is crucial for increasing housing supply. They argue that while it’s outside the urban area, it’s still a suitable spot for new homes.
The planning committee is set to make a decision on January 7, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens!
