A controversial massive housing development backed by Prince William has been given the green light despite claims it would be an “eyesore” and a “Trojan Horse” for even more homes.
After hours of debate in a council meeting this evening, the 2,500-home estate on the southeast edge of Faversham has been approved, with its backers saying their mission is to “raise the standard of urban design”.
The Duchy of Cornwall’s development and the infrastructure associated with it are expected to take 15-20 years to complete.
Proposed for land largely in agricultural use, plans for the Duchy’s scheme first came to the fore in 2018, when the organisation proposed the land between the M2 and A2 for housing to Swale Borough Council (SBC).
Then the Duchy was headed by the now King Charles, with future monarch Prince William taking over the institution since his father’s ascension to the throne.
Tonight’s meeting comes more than two years after the application was officially submitted in late February 2024.
Prior to tonight’s meeting, Faversham & Mid Kent MP Helen Whately (Con) wrote to Swale council’s chief executive, Larissa Reid, raising concerns.
The letter, circulated to councillors beforehand, said “there are 20,000 plus homes in the pipeline for the Faversham and Mid Kent parliamentary constituency including the Duchy development.
“I ask you to take into account the cumulative impact of all these developments on our roads, water supply and public services.”
“I knew we need new homes for young people to move into, but taking all these developments together this is an extraordinary scale of building in this corner of Kent.”
She added that the national government should “increase house building in London and other cities instead of building on fields and orchards.”
Chairman Cllr Andy Booth, when informing members of the letter, stressed they should “read this as [if it were written by] a member of the public – an MP carries no weight in this chamber.”
The Duchy is a colossal private estate and land portfolio established in 1337 to provide income for the heir to the British throne, currently managed for the Prince of Wales.
Of the 2,500 homes, 400 will be for social rent, and 475 will be affordable or shared ownership – 35% of the total, according to plans.
Boughton Parish councillor Sarah Moakes attended to speak against the development, telling members “A mere 12 letters in support against 467 objections is hardly a ringing endorsement.”
“The Duchy is a Trojan Horse for ushering in another 3,000 houses plus industrial development, a vast urban sprawl as far as the Thanet Way,” she said.
The planning meeting comes as Swale Borough Council (SBC) is in the process of deciding where to allocate homes in its local plan process.
Cllr Moakes feared that approving the Duchy’s bid would encourage the council to build even more in the area.
Documents shared with members just before the meeting noted that “SBC may be minded to approve the application because it would deliver a significant proportion of SBC’s total housing target” – at more than 30% of the total, and possibly more than 50% of the amount needed in the eastern half of Swale.
Roger Heffer, a planning advisor for the Duchy, told the committee: “The council is a long way short of having a five year housing land supply.
“The delivery of affordable housing in particular has been very difficult.”
Extolling the virtues of the site, he continued: “It’s a natural rounding off of the town, its a short walk from the town centre, it isn’t affected by flood risks.
“The earnest objective of this scheme is to bring about a new community which is loved by the community of Faversham because it is well designed.”
“This is a uniquely positive planning opportunity and I do urge you to seize it.”
Some councillors raised concerns about the bid though, with Faversham representative Cllr Charles Gibson (Lib Dem) citing a “37.5% increase in population of the town in the past nine years,” based on council leafleting.
Chairman Cllr Booth stressed that they were “looking at potentially a 25 year build,” with an average of 100 homes constructed per year.
The permission given at SBC tonight only included full planning permission for 261 of the properties, as well as a “local centre with retail, commercial, community, business and/or employment uses,” and the necessary landscaping and groundworks.
The remaining 2,239 homes were only given outline permission, meaning that future detailed planning applications will be required before they can be constructed.
Also included in the outline permission are facilities and spaces for “retail, hotel, commercial, business, employment uses”, plus community and sports provision, a primary school; nurseries, health facilities, and sheltered and/or other older persons’ accommodation.
As well as farmland, the Faversham Town Football Club and Faversham Cricket Club grounds are part of the site to be developed, and as such the Duchy is set to provide new facilities for these elsewhere.
After almost four hours of debate, the committee voted to grant permission with 11 votes in favour, five against and no abstentions.
An amendment was also accepted ensuring that the developers’ contributions to local education and healthcare be spent in Faversham rather than elsewhere.
