1 day Ago By [email protected] (Mary Harris)
The developer of 400 homes, a care home and children's centre on the Kent and Sussex border which would involve Football Rugby Club moving to a new home has promised it will be "designed sensitively within its setting". Esquire Developments which is based in Kent has shared more information with this week, and explained the benefits would bring local rugby and cricket. It also pledged to consult widely on its plans and told us: "It is our full intention to bring forward a scheme that is designed sensitively within its setting, landscape led and that delivers on the much-needed local housing needs across all tenures both private and affordable.
" Andy Wilford, head of land and planning at Esquire Developments in Longfield, told us: "We absolutely understand the importance of enhancing biodiversity and delivering sustainable communities including mixed uses as identified in the current screening request." on the development in August last year, when the number of homes was 360. There would also be 10 self-build plots, a 70-bed care home, a 120-place children's nursery, and employment space of 604sqm.
There are four parcels of land, three-and-a-half of which fall within Wealden District: the northern part of one parcel described as Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, is in Tunbridge Wells Borough. The proposal has already sparked a petition against it with 2,050 signatures - and several news headlines - before it has even seen a lodged. One person who signed the petition said: "This development will totally alter and destroy the much cherished "gateway to Tunbridge Wells.
" Mr Wilford said Esquire Developments in Longfield, was a small and medium-sized property developer, and it had been working alongside the rugby club "for some time" to explore a relocation and replacement of its facility with a state-of-the-art and purpose-built sports campus. Mr Wilford said: "Not only would this provide the club with facilities that are top in class for its rugby and cricket offering, but it will also give them an ability to secure their long term future. The Rugby Club is a very important and long standing part of the Community and the new facility will bring a host of benefits to local people.
" As we reported previously, the rugby club would relocate down Frant Road, but on the opposite side on Chase Farm in Bunny Lane, opposite Tate Fencing. He said the sites in the proposal were identified for development in Wealden District Council's draft local plan. Esquire was working with the council's planning department and other key stakeholders to "consider the full opportunities and constraints of our proposals".
He told us: "Whilst the development concepts are currently still emerging, there is a huge amount of work being done in the background to make sure that we address the local concerns as best we can." "Throughout the promotion and planning process there will be plenty of opportunity for local people to give their feedback and comments through the extensive public engagement that has been and will continue to take place." "As plans progress and communication with the Local Authority continue, we will give plenty of notice prior to holding any further public consultation to ensure that as many people can attend as possible, and we will also make consultation material available in electronic format for people that are unable to attend.
" KentLive approached the rugby club yesterday for a comment. Emma van Rooyen launched the petition, which urges Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Wealden District Council and Frant Parish Council to reject the proposal. One objector wrote this after signing the petition: "It exceeds the boundary of Tunbridge Wells into Wealden whilst giving no benefit to the rural area and will destroy a greenfield site unnecessarily with other options available.
No infrastructure to support it. "The extra car journeys particularly for a huge nursery school, sports ground (with a huge car reliance and parking exceeding the infrastructure) and care home exceed the capacity for a rural area with all journeys to come from a wide area and terrible road network." "The light pollution from floodlit sports field is unacceptable for a currently greenfield rural dark sky area.
Does nothing to address the need for lower price first time buyer housing crisis in the locality. A nursery school seems highly un-needed with all new housing in Tunbridge Wells aimed at retirement only! It will cause Frant in East Sussex to become a suburb of Tunbridge Wells losing the identity and border between the counties. The estate will be divided between two counties with very different rates and services.
" Join our new WhatsApp community! to receive your daily dose of KentLive content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
If you’re curious, you can read our.
