Our planning application is in direct response to Swale Borough Council’s invitation to put forward proposals to address the need for housing in the area. The Council has identified our land as the most sustainable location for the growth of Faversham.

There is a need for a variety of homes within Faversham. The Housing Market Assessment for Swale Borough states:

‘There is a shortfall of housing in Swale Borough, and this is reflected in high property prices and unaffordability in the local housing market.’

Our proposed neighbourhood can address housing shortages in the town by providing beautiful, high-quality housing – including at least 875 affordable homes – complementing the unique historic character and identity of Faversham.

This community will embody true sustainability, including new infrastructure, enriched biodiversity, parks and allotments, alongside job opportunities and employment space for local residents.

While developing on agricultural land is not the preferred choice for a rural estate like the Duchy of Cornwall, the pressing and growing demand for more homes locally has compelled us to act. Swale Borough Council identified South East Faversham as the most suitable site for Faversham’s future growth.

The area largely comprises the following agricultural land categories:

• Grade 1 58%
• Grade 2 12%
• Grade 3a and 3b 19%.

Our commitment to land stewardship and farming across all of the Duchy Estate dictates our approach to this new neighbourhood; it will be landscape led with a broad range of opportunities for the community to engage with horticulture. Over half of the land in the development will be green spaces and this will be managed to enhance soil health and biodiversity.

South East Faversham will be a garden neighbourhood. We can provide better green spaces, including meadows, woodland and new habitats for wildlife.

Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring that this land remains a place for cultivation. Alongside parklands and tree-lined streets, we intend to establish community orchards and allotments. These have been very successful at our other neighbourhoods in Poundbury and Nansledan.

There is a pressing need for a diverse range of new homes within Faversham, including affordable and social rent properties and private housing of various sizes, to ensure people have a range of options to select the home that best suits their needs.

Our masterplan is crafted to alleviate housing shortages in Faversham by introducing beautiful, high-quality homes that seamlessly blend with the town’s unique historic character and identity.

At least 875 affordable new homes will be provided, of which a minimum of 400 will be social rented, to support members of the local community – designed to the same exceptional standard as market-rate homes.

The housing mix has been carefully considered and will provide the sizes and types identified as necessary by Swale Borough Council.

South East Faversham will be a sustainable extension to the historic town of Faversham.

The A2 in its current form, situated along the northern edge of South East Faversham, poses a challenge for pedestrians and cyclists due to high traffic speeds. To enhance safety, we wish to establish safe connections across the A2 complemented by new traffic management provisions.

By establishing these safe connections, we not only provide pleasant routes to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists but also minimise the need for car usage, thereby reducing potential pollution and traffic congestion.

Construction will consist of six phases, with the final phase anticipated to be completed by 2044. We expect South East Faversham to deliver 120 – 150 homes per year up until completion.

There is an acute and growing need for more homes, including affordable homes for local people. Swale Borough Council has identified Duchy of Cornwall land in South East Faversham as the most suitable location for the future growth of the town.

The shortage of housing extends across Faversham, Swale Borough and the rest of the country. It has led to rising house prices and rents.

We aim to help all individuals and families who seek secure housing. To this end, we are steadfast in our commitment to delivering at least 875 affordable homes, including a minimum of 400 homes for social rent. Moreover, we aim to assist aspiring homeowners who have been priced out of the market by offering discounted open-market homes and shared ownership options.

Furthermore, as our population ages, it becomes ever more crucial to consider the requirements of elderly residents. That’s why we are exploring affordable and private options in later living, care homes and extra care facilities

We will be creating 2,500 homes – affordable and attainable for those who live in and around Faversham.

Among these, a minimum of 875 will be earmarked as affordable housing, which is a technical planning term identifying housing options outside of full private sale.

The mix includes:

• Social Rent Homes: Linked to local incomes, built for people and families on local housing waiting lists
• Discounted Open Market Homes: First time buyers with a local connection to Swale borough can buy a home discounted by 30% against the market value
• Shared Ownership Homes: Allowing local buyers to purchase a share of their home, whilst paying an affordable and subsidised rent on the remaining share
• 2 and 3 Bedroom Homes: Providing more attainable choices for those who want to buy a property but who do not qualify for affordable housing.

At least 400 homes will be allocated for social rent, offering crucial support to the most vulnerable members of our community at risk of homelessness.

A further 475 homes will be shared ownership and discounted open market options offering an accessible route for individuals and families to step onto the property ladder.

Key workers will also be prioritised for affordable housing, especially those who live and study locally, ensuring we can support the nurses, doctors, dentists and teachers Faversham needs to flourish.

Our goal is to maximise the number of affordable homes so that we can be part of the solution in solving homelessness.

Our commitment to affordable housing encompasses intermediate options designed to offer young individuals and families a viable pathway onto the property ladder.

This intermediate provision offers shared ownership and discounted open market homes, providing accessible paths for people to own their home, promoting social mobility, financial stability and homeownership aspirations.

What Is A Discounted Open Market Home?

• Discounted open market homes are discounted by 30% against the market value

• These homes are strictly for first time buyers, those with a local connection to the area or on the housing waiting list.

 Did you know? Our discounted market homes in Poundbury are discounted by 30% from market value.

What Is A Shared Ownership Home?

• Shared ownership allows first-time buyers to purchase a share of their home
• The purchaser pays mortgage on the share they own whilst paying a subsidised rent to a housing association on the share they do not own
• People who live in shared ownership housing can eventually own 100% of their home through a process called ‘staircasing’.

We recognise the vital role key workers play in our local communities and aim to create a neighbourhood that attracts and supports them in South East Faversham.

In collaboration with Swale Borough Council, we will explore prioritising key workers, especially those who live and study locally, such as doctors, nurses, dentists and teachers, within the affordable housing nominations policy, ensuring they have access to suitable housing options.

South East Faversham has capacity to provide 2,500 new jobs through 70,000 square metres dedicated employment space.

With a focus on fostering skills development and employment opportunities, we have a strong history of collaborating with our development partners to promote apprenticeship programmes during and beyond the construction phase.

Additionally, we are committed to partnering with social enterprises and educational institutions to support the education, training and upskilling of local workers.

Moreover, in collaboration with Kent County Council’s economic development officers, we will identify key areas for growth in emerging and innovative sectors, aiming to create job opportunities and bolster Faversham’s economy.

We will establish a new three-form entry primary school to accommodate 630 pupils, alongside contributions towards the expansion or establishment of a secondary school.

The primary school construction is planned for phase two and is anticipated to be delivered by 2031.

Furthermore, we will also be providing a nursery facility, to ensure all children and families can benefit from our neighbourhood.

Yes, we will be providing health facilities as part of our plans. We are currently in discussions with regional health authorities to understand the needs of local people.

Biodiversity is a crucial aspect of our scheme and we are very excited to be on track for achieving a 20% net gain in biodiversity on and off site.

Natural habitats make up a key pillar to our plans at South East Faversham and by increasing the level of biodiversity, people and nature can flourish together for generations to come.

To achieve the gain in biodiversity, we’re implementing these measures:

• Creating native hedgerows and shrubs, in addition to locally appropriate wildflowers and rich grasslands to build crucial habitats for pollinators and other invertebrates. These grasslands, in addition to capturing carbon, will also serve as foraging habitats and wildlife corridors, nurturing the species already identified on the land.
• Creating a complex mosaic of habitats, including new grasslands adjacent to native scrubby habitats, surpassing national requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain. This mosaic will benefit wildlife and provide spaces for residents to connect with nature.
• Establishing avenues, orchards, allotments, meadows, and wooded areas to create a shaded, green framework that encourages biodiversity. These areas will allow tree roots to interconnect through microbially rich soil, while surface water will be returned to the chalk aquifer, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
• Incorporating features such as nesting boxes for birds and bee bricks to provide additional habitats for biodiversity.

We have engaged a team of ecological experts to guide us in navigating the ecological constraints and opportunities present within our project.

Their expertise is instrumental in achieving a targeted 20% net gain in biodiversity. Through extensive surveys, a diverse array of flora and fauna, including birds, bats, dormice, reptiles, and invertebrates, has been identified. Strategies are now being devised to safeguard and enrich habitats for these species and others throughout construction and for the future.

Furthermore, our ecological monitoring will be ongoing throughout the construction phase. Should any new ecological discoveries arise, we are committed to promptly addressing them to ensure the continued preservation and enhancement of biodiversity within the area.

Our commitment to building in a sensitive manner is unwavering. Prior to undertaking any construction, we will proactively establish new habitats. This approach is carefully designed to facilitate the seamless transition of existing wildlife to these new habitats, in accordance with their seasonal patterns.

Our ultimate aim is to expand natural habitats, thereby providing a conducive environment for the thriving of both new and existing wildlife. We are undertaking this aspect of the project with the utmost dedication.

Our new neighbourhood will start from the earth up.

The whole landscape is designed to facilitate sustainable drainage of soakaways, based on the principle of natural filtration.

It has been designed around soil, water and the centuries-old, local pattern of human relationship with the land. Avenues, orchards, allotments, meadows and wooded rides will link the houses together in a shaded, green framework.

Tree roots will be free to connect through a continuous microbially rich soil and surface water will be returned to a chalk aquifer.

All wastewater will be contained within our site.

We will pioneer a water recycling centre that delivers water neutrality for the new homes and businesses – where wastewater will be treated on site and recycled for use within the development or reintroduced to the groundwater without entering the existing waterways or sewage system.

Storm water will also be collected and filtered through chalk bed rock to the aquifer to replenish this natural underground reservoir.

We will implement sustainable drainage measures to mitigate storm events and potential flooding.

Surface water will be directed back to the underground chalk aquifer through a sustainable urban drainage system. This system will utilise green verges, planted with trees, swales, and soakaways, following the natural contours of the landscape. Water will be stored in the wider landscape and any excess will flow to a soakaway.

This provides capacity to address extreme weather events and reduces risks of flooding with no surface water leaving the site and any excess topping up the aquifer below.

We recognise the importance of improving the M2 at Brenley Corner.

We are actively collaborating with Kent County Council and National Highways and are committed to continued close cooperation with them in the future in order to improve Brenley Corner.

Following the model of our thriving neighbourhoods at Poundbury and Nansledan, we will locate parking bays and garages situated away from the main streets. This strategy, combined with pedestrian-friendly designs, has been proven to lead to low car usage and minimised on-street parking.

We have pinpointed specific areas along the A2 where traffic calming measures can be implemented and remain committed to working alongside our partners to delivering these.

We are collaborating closely with Kent County Council, National Highways and other stakeholders to develop plans for enhancing this road into a high-quality and safe route linking Faversham with our new neighbourhood.

Our team of specialist highway experts brings extensive experience in implementing design interventions that effectively manage traffic speed without disrupting its flow, facilitating safe pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

Every new home built will have a play area accessible within five-minute walking distance.

We have a proud history of delivering exceptional play areas that have received national recognition for their quality.

At Poundbury we created a hugely popular adventure playpark featuring 15-foot-high towers, suspended bridges and walkways and a large medieval-style playhouse.

In Nansledan, we plan to establish a total of six adventure play areas, constructed using sustainable natural materials and inspired by a nautical theme.

Our initial play space in Nansledan, completed in 2020, has elevated wooden huts connected by crawl tunnels and walkways, all nestled within a sprawling seaweed stick maze. It offers various features such as a clamber net, slide, log climb, rope bridge, swing, balance log and beams, wonky walkway, stepping stones and a toddler swing.

In South East Faversham, we will collaborate with the community. Children will be at the heart of this collaboration, so we can develop play areas that will be cherished and enjoyed by families throughout Faversham.

South East Faversham will be a garden neighbourhood.

Once completed, approximately half of our neighbourhood will consist of high-quality and nature-friendly green spaces, meaning people and nature can thrive together. This includes avenues, orchards, allotments, meadows, community gardens and wooded paths, which will connect houses within a shaded, green framework.

Faversham Cricket Club has committed to relocating its club ground to a central green space within the new neighbourhood, ensuring the club becomes an integral part of the new community. Plans include the construction of a new pavilion and facilities next to the cricket field, which will also serve as a versatile community space available for hire.

Additionally, Faversham Town Football Club will remain at its current location adjacent to the A2 Canterbury Road. We will be funding the development of a new 3G Pitch on their main ground, enabling the club to continue growing its provision for players of all ages and abilities. As part of these plans, the club will establish a new training pitch facility on Duchy land to the south of their current grounds, further enhancing their offerings for the town.

Alongside new facilities for Faversham’s cricket and football clubs, we aim to offer various other sports facilities. This includes a multi-use games area suitable for court sports and organising sports and recreational events within the neighbourhood’s green open spaces.

We are open to suggestions from the community about other sports they would like to see – feel free to share your ideas with us.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the Great Field Park Run happens every Saturday at Poundbury? This free, enjoyable, and inclusive weekly 5k community event allows participants to walk, jog, run, volunteer or simply spectate.

South East Faversham aims to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes that are cost-effective to live in and produce low emissions while promoting health and wellbeing for both occupants and the wider community.

Working with local Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) housebuilders, we will design homes that are nature-friendly, integrating bird boxes and bee bricks, and built to the highest environmental standards.

For example, all homes will meet or surpass both the RIBA and LETI 2030 standards of low-carbon construction from day one, using sustainable local materials wherever practicable. These standards set ambitious targets for all building types to help the UK achieve its 2050 Net Zero target.

The highly energy-efficient buildings will be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar PV (photovoltaics), heat pumps and communal battery storage solutions implemented to limit energy consumption and occupancy costs.

PV (photovoltaic) panels will be installed throughout the neighbourhood as the primary source of onsite energy generation. These will be located to optimise efficiency.

Yes, homes within the neighbourhood will indeed feature charging points to cater to the increasing demand from electric vehicle users.

These charging points will be strategically located across the area to ensure convenient access for residents and promote the adoption of sustainable transportation options. We are committed to supporting the transition towards electric vehicles and reducing carbon emissions within our community.

Our neighbourhood is carefully designed to safeguard against any potential exposure to heightened levels of air pollution. Along the boundary of the M2, we will establish woodland to serve as a natural buffer to both noise and air pollution, while also creating new habitats for local wildlife.

Our selection of street trees is based on their Urban Tree Air Quality Score, ensuring that the air quality benefits of green infrastructure are optimally realised throughout the site. A comprehensive air quality assessment of both the site and our masterplan is currently underway to identify any potential adverse impacts and implement appropriate mitigation measures, thereby safeguarding the health of nearby residents and neighbours.