A plan for 70 new homes in Kingsdown faces local opposition due to concerns about traffic and village impact.
Residents voiced concerns over the plan, sending 151 letters to the council. Over 1,200 people signed a petition, worrying about traffic on small village roads. The petition began when plans became public.
Martin Thomas said traffic will worsen, mentioning the school-time traffic problems. Ringwould Road is already risky, he stated, while Gary Moor noted a dangerous blind bend near a playground, causing problems for locals.
The school is already full, someone said, observing that many students drive into the village daily. Anne McJee is worried about local services, noting the village lacks public transportation and doctors. She wonders how new residents will manage.
Raenne Nightingale thinks it’s too many houses and feels the village is already congested. She worries about losing even more green space. Two people actually wrote letters supporting the plan.
A group formed called Kingsdown SOS, opposing outward sprawl from the development. Kitewood Estates wants to build the homes on land set for fifty homes already, under the Dover District Local Plan.
The plan includes houses of various sizes, from one to four-bedroom homes, and four apartments. Kitewood wants 49 open market homes and twenty-one affordable housing units. They also plan to include 166 parking spots.
Kitewood plans a new Ringwould Road entrance, noting the road’s rural, narrow nature. The land is nearly four hectares big, with over one hectare to be open space. The company says they’ll protect trees and hedges.
DHA Planning says it fits Kingsdown and claims the layout will look good. The development provides nice homes, they said, believing traffic will not be severely impacted.
Kitewood thinks the plan follows the local rules and said it aligns with the site policy. The council has not yet announced its choice.