A controversial scheme to build 421 homes on fields around St Nicholas Church in Otham has hit the market.

Developers Bellway is holding its first sales event for the site its is calling Parsonage Place on Saturday, when prospective buyers will be able to learn more about the scheme, and reserve a home from the plan.

The event is being held at the marketing suite of the company's nearby Bicknor Wood development, in Gore Court Road.

The Parsonage Place scheme, between Chapman Avenue and Church Road, was rejected by Maidstone council's planning committee in July 2020 - against the advice of its officers - but was allowed by a government inspector on appeal in January last year.

Enormous public opposition at the time included a petition signed by 1,600 people.

Chris Moore, managing director of Bellway Kent, said: “Bellway has played an important role in providing new homes across Maidstone in recent years.

"Parsonage Place enhances our commitment to the area, bringing high-quality new homes and the infrastructure to support them."

He added: “Our 250-home Bicknor Wood development, which is already sold out, demonstrated that there is strong demand for homes within Otham.

"At Parsonage Place we will again provide a broad range of homes to meet the needs of local buyers.”

Mr Moore said the development represented a £4 million investment in infrastructure for Maidstone.

The homes will be built on a 39-acre parcel of land wrapping around the Grade-I listed church.

It will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

There will also be 126 affordable homes to be made available to local people through rent or shared ownership.

Bellway will pay almost £2.8m to Maidstone council in Community Infrastructure Levy as part of its planning agreement. MBC will be able to choose how to allocate this funding.

In addition, more than £1m will go to Kent County Council to provide primary education and £100,000 will help to fund cycle routes.

The developer is also building the church a new car park.

Mr Moore said: "Our role as a developer extends far beyond building houses.

"New homes create new micro-communities and we work to ensure these integrate seamlessly with the local area.

"Parsonage Place will bring benefits to the entire community, not just through our CIL and other contributions, but also by creating and supporting jobs, providing affordable homes and increasing spend within the local economy.

“The development will include footpaths and cycle links, and green open spaces.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors to talk about our vision for Parsonage Place and the homes we will be building there.”

The sales office will be open between 11am and 5pm.
Bellway has not yet released any prices for the properties.

To find out more, click here.