A VILLAGE is considering building more affordable housing in a bid to attract younger people to the area.

It’s just one of a number of proposals in the draft Detling Design Statement, setting out how the village will develop.

One villager described the draft as a beacon in the dark, when it went on display at the weekend.

More than 100 people attended an exhibition at Detling Village Hall, where as well as an analysis of the village’s existing characteristics, there were suggestions for the future.

Robin Grimble, chairman of the design statement group, said there were ideas on how to improve the sustainability of the village and achieve a greater integration of the community as a whole.

He said: “Unfortunately Detling is severed by the A249 and there are a further 50 or so houses at the top of the hill that feel rather remote.”

Mr Grimble explained there was a need to encourage more young people to Detling.

He said: “The population is ageing; the school closed a year or so ago, and those running the village clubs and societies are growing older.

“We need to attract more young people, while making sure that any development is sensitive to context.”

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Denise Joy, opened the event on Saturday, and representatives from the Civic Trust made three presentations of the design statement process throughout the day.

Mr Grimble said: “It went very well, every comment was constructive and positive.”

The exhibition continues in the old school in The Street throughout the week from 7pm to 9pm, and Saturday from 10am to midday.