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New images of 375-home ‘Trinity Lakes’ development planned for Kennington in Ashford

Developers behind a huge housing scheme have revealed more images showing how the controversial project could look.

Plans for more homes in Kennington, between Trinity Road and Sandyhurst Lane, have been in the works since 2020 when Quadrant Estates detailed ambitions for 600 properties.

How part of the ‘Trinity Lakes’ project could look. Picture: BDP
How part of the ‘Trinity Lakes’ project could look. Picture: BDP

Bosses later scaled back the bid to 375 homes and removed a proposed retirement village from the 128-acre site, which sits next to Ashford Golf Club.

Updated outline plans for the ‘Trinity Lakes’ project have now been lodged with Ashford Borough Council (ABC), including fresh drawings of how the development may look.

The developers say the homes and planned business units will be constructed around existing lakes on the site, providing a “sustainable mixed use development”.

People living near the plot told KentOnline last year how they feared it would "overload the road system" and blur the boundary between town and countryside.

But Quadrant Estates says its scheme “fits a wide range of requirements” as there is a “significant need for new housing in the area”.

How the site currently looks; the lakes sit in the middle of this photo. Picture: Google Earth
How the site currently looks; the lakes sit in the middle of this photo. Picture: Google Earth
How the site could be set up
How the site could be set up

The 375 homes planned will be a “variety of typologies” including detached and semi-detached houses, town houses and apartments.

Bosses say there will also be “34,869 sq m of new employment uses such as office space, healthcare facilities or similar high-quality services”.

A “nutrient neutrality zone” is now also set to be built in the middle of the development consisting of man-made wetlands.

It comes as poor water quality levels at Stodmarsh Nature Reserve, near Canterbury, have held up developments across east Kent since 2020.

“This responds to the Ashford borough’s requirement to implement measures that will ensure the development will not affect the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve,” the developers add.

One of the existing lakes on the site
One of the existing lakes on the site
Resident Graham Skinner photographed this fox on the land in 2021
Resident Graham Skinner photographed this fox on the land in 2021

However, since the updated plans were lodged on June 5, 12 concerned residents have written objections to ABC’s planning department.

“I understand that more housing needs to be made but there are too many new-builds going on in Kennington,” wrote Hazel Cunningham.

“I’ve lived in Kennington all my life and these are destroying the atmosphere and community spirit.”

David Parker agreed, saying “although the need for housing is a must, the infrastructure in and around Ashford is not equipped to cope with the increase in population”.

Bosses say the scheme will feature new footpaths. Picture: BDP
Bosses say the scheme will feature new footpaths. Picture: BDP
Five public rights of way cross the site
Five public rights of way cross the site

“The William Harvey Hospital is already at breaking point, the schools are struggling with intake, nursery places are at a premium, also the increase in traffic will mean an increase in air pollution,” he added.

“The road network will potentially not work as the roads like Sandyhurst Lane will be used as a rat-run.”

If built, the development would only be accessed via Trinity Road, while a “generous green buffer” would be included for the existing housing on Sandyhurst Lane.

Quadrant says 30% of the homes are slated to be earmarked as affordable homes, with the rest sold at market rate.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We’ve been working closely with the local authority and local stakeholders over a long period to put together a plan for Trinity Lakes that fits a wide range of requirements.

If approved, 375 homes will be built. Picture: BDP
If approved, 375 homes will be built. Picture: BDP
The site sits between Sandyhurst Lane and Trinity Road
The site sits between Sandyhurst Lane and Trinity Road
The scheme will be built around the existing lakes on the site. Picture: BDP
The scheme will be built around the existing lakes on the site. Picture: BDP

“There is a significant need for new housing in the area and this is a site identified by the council in its Local Plan for a development of this scale and as a strategic future office location to boost employment opportunities and the local economy.

“A significant contribution will be made to fund local infrastructure, and green corridors, wetlands, new footpaths, cycle routes and a bus route that connects the scheme to the town centre are all proposed as part of the scheme.

“The project will also achieve nutrient neutrality, which is rare for a scheme of this type, safeguarding water quality in the River Stour to minimise the development’s effect on the local environment and preserve habitats for wildlife.”

It is not yet known when the application will go before the planning committee for a decision.

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