Developers have revealed plans to expand Kings Hill by another 1,000 homes.

Liberty Property Trust has submitted an application to extend the ever-growing estate, which would bring the total number of properties up to 3,600.

The company wants to build up to 975 houses; a two-form entry primary school with playing fields; a self-service petrol station; a park and other landscaped open spaces.
When construction work first began on the former airfield 24 years ago, only 500 homes were built with 1,350 more predicted.

However in 2004, the Government approved phase two which involved transforming land earmarked for commercial development into an extra 750 homes.

Phase three includes some of the land left over from the second stage near Forest Way. If approved, Kent County Council’s supplies depot, in Gibson Drive, would be demolished.

Andrew Blevins, Liberty’s managing director, said: “We are seeking to ‘right-size’ the development and rebalance the residential and commercial mix to better reflect the needs of today and tomorrow.

“There will still be land available for further expansion of the business park to accommodate more job growth as part of our masterplan review.”

The 800-acre estate is home to about 7,000 people and more than 200 companies, which provide some 5,500 jobs, but the area has been criticised for its lack of primary school places, with pressure on the existing two schools getting worse in the last two years.
A public consultation for the application ended on WednesdayJune 12 but the parish council intends to hold its own consultations.

An exhibition of plans will be on show at the community centre in Gibson Drive, on Monday, July 1, between 11am and 1pm, followed by a meeting at 6.30pm with councillors and planning officers.

Clerk Helen Munro said: “The views of residents will be taken into account by the parish council when their formal response is submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.”

A decision is expected to be made by the end of September.