Frequently Asked Questions from the Consultation Feedback

It is proposed to link the site to the existing footpath on the opposite side of Crockenhill Road. The bus stops in Rock Hill Road are approximately 240 metres from the proposed development. The existing Public Right of Way along the edge of Gale Field allows access by foot to Egerton and its amenities, with much of the route being off-road. Every home will be provided with its own secure bicycle storage shed to encourage cycling.

A consulting civil engineer will be appointed to undertake the design of the proposed access. The design will ensure that visibility for all users when entering and exiting the site complies with Kent County Council Highways requirements. The proposed access and road geometry will be designed to ensure a refuse vehicle and fire appliance can enter and leave the site safely. Any proposal will need technical approval by KCC Highways, who will be consulted by Ashford Borough Council throughout the planning application process.

In line with all Housing Associations, particularly those serving rural communities, English Rural have concerns regarding the workability of the recent headline making announcement, that central government is exploring ways of expanding the RTB scheme. Rural exception sites are protected from the rights to acquire and through our ongoing discussion with government ministers we fully expect this protection to remain in place, securing these affordable rented homes for future generations of local people.

It is always our intention to retain as much hedgerow as possible, however there are occasions, for highways safety reasons, that some sections of hedge sometimes have to be removed and replacement native species hedges planted as closely as possible. We are also proposing to provide native species hedge planting to the new site boundaries of the development to form a soft edge and promote biodiversity.

The mix and tenure of rural exception sites are dictated by independently produced Housing Needs Surveys and proposals respond to the data provided. English Rural have only acquired the area of land required for the current proposal. English Rural would only consider providing additional homes in the village, if invited to do so by the Parish Council. The proposed scheme is abutted to the North (rear) by the proposed community recreation area which will provide a buffer against further development.

We always look to provide porous (permeable) paving wherever we can to ensure surface water is returned to the site and not create issues elsewhere. Where geotechnical ground investigations conclude that the site is not suitable for soakaways or permeable paving, another form of sustainable drainage will be utilised.

Actually, they both are! The proposed angled site boundary is set back from the South Easterly extent of Gale Field by approximately 10-15 metres. The strip of land that separates the proposed development from Bluebells and Weald View is in third party ownership. The Google location map published on the website shows the spread of the tree canopies and corresponding shadows that have been cast on Gale Field. The health of the trees and the biodiversity they support are of prime importance, so the proposed homes have been orientated to ensure rear gardens provide further separation.

The scheme is proposed as a Rural Exception Site, which is an exception to the usual planning rules, being outside of the conventional village envelope. It is this rural exception, enforced through a legally binding agreement with the Local Planning Authority that provides protection for the local community, by requiring the homes to be retained, in perpetuity, as affordable rented homes for local people.

As the affordable rented homes will be let to people of Egerton, or in very rare circumstances those from neighbouring parishes, residents will already have a direct association with the community.