Developers constructing Aylesham Garden Village are to begin work on the final phase of the project which involves building the remaining 290 homes.
Archaeological work will initially take place, starting this month, and is expected to take three weeks before construction then begins.
This next stage of the development involves 72 homes being built on part of Station Field. A planning application for a further 73 homes at the site is going to DDC’s planning committee on February 23 and has been recommended for approval.
The work also includes the landscaping of the green open space at Station Field, with new trees, a wildflower meadow/chalk grassland, a feature paving area and seating.
Further construction will take place in Cooting Road with 48 homes and off Ratling Road with 97 homes.
DDC will be holding a public engagement event on Thursday, March 2, between 2pm and 6pm at Aylesham Baptist Free Church in Dorman Avenue South in which residents are invited to come along, find out more about the work that is taking place and ask any questions. Representatives from developers Barratt Homes and Persimmon will be at the event.
More than 1,000 new homes have already been built as part of the expansion of Aylesham, with 966 now occupied.
Financial contributions from Barratt Homes and Persimmon have funded improvements to the village and a number of community facilities, including play and sports provision, and an on-demand bus service, which is due to launch on February 20.
Of the total 1,292 homes which will eventually be built, 300 will be affordable.
Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC's cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “This next step will complete the Aylesham Garden Village development, which is providing much-needed homes for people in the district.
“The development has helped secure funding for improvements to the village in addition to new community facilities and services.
“With transport links including rail services and the new on-demand buses, upgrades to roads and new leisure facilities, as well as a thriving business community, Aylesham is a great place to live and work.”
Natalie Perry, sales and marketing director for Barratt Kent, said: “This year will bring an exciting chapter for Aylesham Village, as we work alongside Persimmon to deliver new play areas, communal allotments and woodland planting, alongside improvements to local highways.
“Our next and final phase will bring 120 new homes, 58 of which will be affordable.
“A number of plots will include the provision of electric vehicle charging points, and as part of our Section 106 agreement, we will continue to make a financial contribution towards local health care, education, sports and youth facilities.”
Martin Crick, managing director of Persimmon Homes South East, said: “Persimmon Homes is very proud of its development at Aylesham and is looking forward to starting work on the next phase.
“This is an exciting partnership with Dover District Council and we’re pleased to be working with the authority to deliver high quality homes at Aylesham Garden Village.”
Notes to editors:
Aylesham Garden Village was planned by Dover District Council in 2005 with other partners.
The idea was to expand the existing village of Aylesham and to regenerate the settlement which had suffered due to the closure of the Kent coalfields in the 1980s.
The layout of the extension to Aylesham was inspired by the design of renowned town planner Sir Patrick Abercrombie, which was started in the 1930s.
Regular updates of the latest phase of the development will be posted on the Aylesham Garden Village website www.ayleshamgardenvillage.co.uk and in the quarterly Aylesham Garden Village newsletter.
DDC is also encouraging residents to subscribe to the Aylesham topic on DDC’s free Keep Me Posted service, from which regular updates will be given.
To sign up visit www.dover.gov.uk/Sign-Me-Up
Posted on 15 February 2023