More than 200 new homes could be coming to Coxheath.

The Chartway Group already has outline permission for the site off Forstal Lane and has now submitted details of the scheme for final approval.

The scheme is a joint venture with the Optivo housing association, who will run the affordable housing element of the scheme.

The proposal is for 198 two, three, four and five bedroom homes, plus 12 one and two-bedroom flats.

There will be 50 affordable properties and 34 in shared ownership.

Optivo will end up with 101 properties for private sale, plus 50 affordable rent homes, and 34 shared ownership homes, leaving Chartway with 25 private sales.

The companies estimate it will cost £52.8m to build the homes.

Access will be from Forstal Lane to the western corner of the roughly rectangular site - currently an agricultural field.

To the eastern side of the site, 1.85 hectares will be left as public open space and will include a play area and an ornamental orchard. The design proposes two "character areas" - denser more urban development in the centre of the field, with a less dense "edge character" fronting Forstal Lane and also fronting the eastern edge of housing adjacent to the open space.

The application has already attracted 29 letters of objection from Coxheath residents, with many of the concerns about the extra traffic that will be generated.

There are two ways out of Forstal Lane - one via Well Street into Loose, that is literally a very confined single carriageway for much of its length. The other is onto Stockett Lane which has already seen an increase in traffic from other recent developments. However, the principle of housing has already been accepted by the council back in February.

The proposals include junction improvements to Stockett Lane and road-widening and pavement works along Forstal Lane. A total of 452 parking spaces will be delivered.

David Jeffrey, project manager at Optivo, said: “Our application illustrates a high quality, sustainable development which reflects and preserves the rural ambience in which it sits.

"We’ve been mindful of access and parking within this scheme and our proposals for highway

improvements address any concerns raised previously."

The aim is to start construction in March 2019, with a phased completion up till April 2023.

Application number 18/505417 refers.