Thousands of new homes near Folkestone?

6 May 2016, 10:15 | Updated: 6 May 2016, 10:24

Thousands of new homes near Folkestone could be on the way.

Shepway Councillors want to build a garden city at Otterpool Manor Farm over the next 30 years.

They say, if it gets the green light, there'll be schools and businesses there too.

In March, the government invited local authorities to identify areas for new garden settlements, to increase the overall number of new homes being built nationally.

In response, Shepway District Council's Cabinet asked for detailed work to be carried out, to establish if the council should submit an 'expression of interest' to the government.

The council has identified a broad area around Otterpool Manor Farm and developed a set of draft principles that, if approved by Cabinet in June, will form a part of an expression of interest to the government this summer.

Otterpool Park Garden Town could see up to 12,000 new homes being built over the next 30 years within easy reach of nearby villages, towns and the countryside, but with its own businesses, schools and parks.

Cllr Monk, said: "Otterpool Park gives us an unmissable opportunity: it will deliver the homes and jobs we need, in a great setting that's already well connected.

"It would be difficult to find an area for development with more potential; it already has a motorway and other roads. There's a train station - high speed trains are bringing new life to this area, just as the trains did for Folkestone all those years ago. Then there's easy access to the rest of Europe via Eurotunnel.

"Large developments like this allow us to plan in the things that will support the garden town's success. There will be opportunities for local people to get involved in this process by telling us what they think these things are.

"The setting will be stunning; the homes will be well designed, they'll be lots of open space, and the nearby countryside will be easily accessible."