The district council’s vision for a new garden town at Otterpool, ultimately meant to deliver 10,000 homes (current planning application for 8,500) is a source of considerable local concern.
The Green Party is always keen to stress that it is different from other political parties and here’s one way in which that it is true: honesty. We cannot stop Otterpool and it would be dishonest to pretend that we could. Indeed, the honest truth is that we never said we would – the need to meet central government’s imposed housing targets was reflected in the Core Strategy Review. We went into the 2019 local elections clear that we would not state that we could stop the development, but with a promise that we would do all we could to improve the plans for Otterpool, in line with Green principles and policies. And that is a promise we will keep.
We are but one opposition party on the district council but even if were in control, we would still be faced with meeting strict requirements from central government for hundreds of new homes to be built in our district – a minimum of 738 new homes per year for the period 2019/20 to 2036/37.
Yes, there have been many smaller developments but there simply isn’t anywhere else where a development on the scale of Otterpool – needed to meet the national target – could be built because we are constrained by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) north of Folkestone and by the flood plains of Romney Marsh.
Failure to meet the government’s target would mean that the council would not be considered to have a five-year land supply. This in turn could lead to a free for all, with developers able to submit planning applications anywhere in the district and the council liable to losing appeals should they refuse permission. Ultimately, the Government could intervene and we would lose control locally.
You can read more about the five-year plans and the Housing Delivery Test here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-supply-and-delivery and how the housing need numbers are calculated here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-development-needs-assessments
Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be any consideration of sustainability when the government’s numbers are calculated.
The Green Party believes that councils should assess and meet their own housing needs, with the top down imposition of housing numbers removed. But we are stuck with things as they are for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, we will have more control if the council rather than a private developer takes the lead in the development of Otterpool – as will be the case – and this ought to allow for the timely provision of the necessary infrastructure.
If managed properly Otterpool should generate a healthy profit for the benefit of the whole district and given the cuts to funding local government has faced for more than a decade, this is important when it comes to maintaining vital local services and amenities
Again in a spirit of honesty, there is a significant financial risk for the council. That’s one thing we, as your Green councillors are doing our best to help avoid; scrutinising and influencing as much of the process as possible.
We are working hard to ensure that other challenges are met too, not least with regard to public transport. We still need to get agreement for high speed trains to stop at Westenhanger and a firm commitment from Network Rail and the train operator for the redevelopment of the station.
Other significant environmental and infrastructure concerns include ensuring that there are sufficient open spaces, green construction, sufficient water supply, provision for walking and cycling, plus solar energy generation and electric vehicle recharging. We need truly affordable housing and we will need GPs to work in the medical centres and sufficient hospital capacity nearby.
One of main priorities for our district councillors is for the housing at Otterpool to be net zero carbon – something for which they have not yet been able to secure a commitment.
We are in a much better place than we were back in 2016, when the conduct of the council was deplorable, but we still need much more community engagement, and greater transparency and accountability. It is worth mentioning here that the purchase of Westenhanger Castle was announced in August but had been agreed before we were elected.
Many people will never accept that Otterpool should be built, especially in in addition to, rather than instead of, other developments in this already congested, high-density part of the country. As we promised when elected, we will continue to oppose the development of Princes Parade.
Otterpool will likely eat up much of the open space between Folkestone and Ashford, with the loss of prime agricultural land. Even while accepting the need for more housing, we wish that Otterpool did not need to go ahead but, regrettably, go ahead it will. But that does not mean that there isn’t still much to fight for and much that we cannot improve. If, with your support, we are successful in our efforts we will not just create a community to be proud of in Otterpool, with benefits for the whole district, but also one that sets an example for others all over the UK and beyond to follow.
Update April 2023
A Green council will accept the council auditors recommendation that a review of the project be undertaken. The auditor’s recommendation, which we fully endorse, reads:
“We recommend that the Council review its capital programme to ensure viability of individual projects. Specifically, it is recommended for the Otterpool Park project that, in reviewing the financial arrangement going forward, potential significant risks to the Council in relation to the project must be clearly outlined and communicated to members.”
Green councillors will thoroughly scrutinise all requests for funding from Otterpool Park LLP without any predetermined acceptance that the funding is required.
