• 7 months ago
The proposals form part of Canterbury Council's draft Local Plan, a commitment all authorities have have to follow to meet housing targets.
Transcript
00:00 A tranquil countryside, a spot in Whitstable locals are keen to preserve, but fear soon
00:07 this could be lost.
00:09 Plans to build 1,400 homes on Brooklyn's farm are currently up for public consultation,
00:15 as part of Canterbury Council's draft local plan.
00:18 But campaigners say there aren't enough schools or doctor's surgeries to accommodate thousands
00:23 of extra people.
00:24 "I just don't feel that Whitstable has the infrastructure to be able to sustain additional
00:30 housing and the people it brings and the traffic it brings and the sewage it brings."
00:34 "It's the sheer size, the number of houses going into this space which introduces a vast
00:42 amount of people into the town which changes the character of the town and puts the strain
00:46 on all the already struggling infrastructure."
00:50 Another fear is its location - it's on an area of ancient woodland, with locals fearful
00:56 this will disrupt wildlife.
00:58 If approved, it's said to be the largest development the coastal town's ever seen.
01:04 Canterbury City Council has a requirement to build more than 9,000 homes for its local
01:09 plan, but the potential of building here is a particular concern for another woman in
01:14 particular.
01:15 Emily's dad is a co-creator of Bagpuss, and some of his creations and ideas came to
01:20 life in the Kent countryside.
01:22 "He was a lover of nature and he taught all my family about the knowledge of different
01:30 things, rarities, how to look after things.
01:33 He was an early re-wilder so he let one of our fields go back to nature and now we have
01:39 nightingales there.
01:42 They used this area, the surrounding area, for filming and photographs.
01:49 It was really important to him and if he was alive today he would be behind this campaign."
01:55 The City Council's response to all this is that they have a requirement to build a certain
01:59 number of homes as part of their local plan.
02:01 No one from the council was available for an interview, but they did issue us with this
02:06 statement.
02:07 They said the proposal for a new development at Brooklands Farm is in the draft local plan
02:11 that's currently out to public consultation.
02:13 They say they welcome any views on the proposal and on everything else contained within the
02:17 draft plan.
02:19 More public meetings have been held over recent weeks where people could come and talk to
02:22 our officers about the draft local plan in person.
02:26 They say all the information can be found on their website.
02:29 Residents wanting to have their say on these plans have until the 3rd of June.
02:34 Sophia Akin for KMTV in Whitstable.

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