Royal plan for 2,500 new homes given green light

Controversial plans to build 2,500 homes on farmland owned by Prince William have been given the green light.

The Duchy of Cornwall (DoC), a property portfolio headed by the future king, was granted approval by Swale Borough Council (SBC) on Tuesday to build the South East Faversham estate near Brenley Corner, between the M2 and A2 in Kent.

Developers have called it a "sustainable urban extension", but SBC said it had received more than 460 letters of objection over the potential impact on traffic, pollution, wildlife and existing infrastructure.

Sam Kirkness, DoC executive director for development, said she was "delighted" and would now focus on working "collaboratively" to deliver the build.

The proposals were originally put forward when King Charles was the Duke of Cornwall, following the land near Junction 7 of the M2 being bought up in 1999.

The plans include 400 social rent homes and a further 475 affordable dwellings, a water recycling centre, a local centre for commercial and community activities, refuse and recycling storage, plus pedestrian and cycle routes.

The first phase of construction is due to start in 2027 or 2028.

The proposed site is 340 acres (137.7 hectares) and is predominantly used as arable farmland, according to council documents.

However, it also includes Faversham Town Football Club's training ground in the north-west, along with a cricket pitch and pavilion used by Faversham Cricket Club.

Kirkness said: "This brings us closer to unlocking vital new housing, responding directly to Faversham's acute housing needs and providing the infrastructure, green spaces and community facilities that its people deserve.

"The DoC has a fantastic track record of creating successful neighbourhoods that knit seamlessly into existing towns, and we're using that experience to make this new neighbourhood among the most sustainable and environmentally friendly in the UK."

She said it would now "focus on continuing to work collaboratively with SBC, its partners and local residents" to deliver the build.

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