Two public exhibitions have been scheduled as the deadline looms for comments on a controversial 8500 home development, planned for greenfield land.

Developers for the Otterpool Park Garden Town scheme first submitted their outline planning application in February, detailing how open space between Folkstone and Hythe could be transformed over the next 30 years

Now, residents living close to the proposed project are being giving to chance to grill the housing chiefs behind the plans.

The consultation sessions promise to provide the opportunity to find out more about the development and what is contained in the planning applications, with team members from the Otterpool Park project and consultants on hand to discuss and answer questions.

The public exhibitions will take place next month at the following times and locations. Attendees can drop in anytime during the session and do not need to book.

The first will take place on Thursday, May 16, between 2pm and 7.30pm at Westenhanger Castle.

The following day at the same time, there will be a second exhibition at the Leas Cliff Hall Channel Suite.

Andy Jarrett, spokesperson for Otterpool Park, said: “We hope to give residents, businesses and other interested parties a deeper understanding about the benefits that the Garden Town could bring to the district.

“Otterpool Park is in a highly connected location and has a beautiful countryside setting.

"As a Garden Town, more than half of the development would be made up of attractive green spaces and our plans incorporate high quality, thoughtfully designed homes, as well as all the community facilities and infrastructure needed.

"Vitally, if approved, it will bring around 9000 jobs to the area over 30 years.
"It is an attractive and sustainable solution to local housing needs and we would encourage anybody interested in the development to come along.”

The news comes as campaigners against the project are preparing to march in Hythe town centre tomorrow morning for the first time in three years, following t he application's submission.

The application details different regions of the town and housing designs, as well as around 50% green space, including parks playing fields.

Formal comments on the planning application must be submitted by May 27 on the Folkestone and Hythe District Council planning portal.

The application reference number is Y19/0257/FH.