Otterpool Park

Otterpool Park

A Garden Town of the Future

Folkestone and Hythe District Council has received government support for Otterpool Park Garden Town, in response to the Government’s prospectus for Locally Led Garden Cities, Towns and Villages.

Otterpool Park: A Garden Town of the Future

On 11 February 2016 the Government announced its support and funding for Otterpool Park, in response to the Government’s prospectus for Locally Led Garden Cities, Towns and Villages.

In February 2020, Folkestone & Hythe District Council bought out its development partner, owners of the former Folkestone racecourse, enabling it to progress the proposed new garden town as master developer.

In May 2020 approval was granted by the Council for the creation of a new organisation, Otterpool Park LLP, to take the lead in driving forward proposals.

Work has continued at pace. Tibbalds, a planning and urban design consultancy, is preparing detailed plans for phase one – to incorporate the town centre.

It also takes in Westenhanger Castle and a new public park, which together will be an attractive and prestigious selling point for the development.

The proximity of the M20 and Westenhanger Station means the area is already well connected, not only with the rest of the district but also with the capital, the Channel Tunnel and the Port of Dover.

A new design code has been commissioned that will set design principles that all future housing, commercial and public buildings must adhere to.

This will put high quality design at the forefront of all future development proposals. Otterpool Park’s long-term transport vision and Cultural Strategy are also underway.

Otterpool Park will be designed to deliver the overall ambition of a low-car and low-carbon destination by developing an integrated approach to landscape, water, travel and digital planning. New buildings will be designed to minimise energy use and be carbon neutral wherever possible.

This starts from the masterplan the garden town will provide a minimum of 50% green space reflecting existing landscape features and providing three new distinctive destination parks, giving public access to a diverse natural environment.

This major new settlement, set within a 770ha (1,903acre) site surrounded by countryside, has plans for up to 10,000 homes, up to eight primary schools, two secondary schools, community facilities and employment space delivered in phases over 30 years.

The existing community around the Otterpool Park will have better access to services, and will also benefit from new infrastructure such as new sewerage and roads. There will also be more job opportunities in the local area as a result of the development.

For more information about the proposals visit the LLP’s website. For more information on the wider planning context please visit the Council’s website.

 

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