Horsted Park Update (Nov 2016)
The Rochester South and Horsted ward councillors recently had a site visit and tour of the redesigned Phase 2 of the Horsted Park development (approved 18 months ago under Planning Application MC/15/0335) with the Countryside Properties Development Manager.
The work is being undertaken in three phases and is expected to finish in 2018 with the whole site built out. Work has already begun on the much-needed extra care facility that will provide 63 one and two bedroom apartments for assisted living.
Some key parts of the redesigned Phase 2 included the switch of 80 apartments out of an originally approved 183 apartments in Phase 2 to family houses with a mix of dwelling altered to include two bedroom houses. There is an increase of 50 parking spaces overall – the scheme is now above the increased minimum parking standards.
A village green will be created in the centre of the development forming the heart of the community with redesigned finger parks with greater surveillance over them from homes improving access to the Horsted Valley. The footpath to Vale Drive (currently diverted to allow the building of the extra care block) will be incorporated into the scheme, realigned to increase accessibility and will be lit and overlooked to increase security.
As we and many others made clear at the time, 103 apartments (out of 352 units) across the whole site is too many and a lower site density would of course have been preferred. Overall we are pleased that after all of our campaigning with the active participation of many local residents in the planning process, some of the worst elements were taken out of the replacement application and significant improvements made to the layout, parking and types of dwelling being provided which is now taking shape. We look forward to this scheme finally being finished, the first residents moved into Pilots View nearly four years ago!
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