Attractive, healthy neighbourhoods, reflecting local character and responding to the landscape context to provide “the best of town and country”.

Otterpool Park LLP is now developing proposals for new neighbourhoods with around 3,000 homes in Phase 1b, a significant part of Otterpool Park covering approximately a third of the total area. JTP were appointed as lead masterplanners and to facilitate the Community Planning Day (CPD) which was an opportunity for the community to share local knowledge and help co-create a Vision, which will inform a comprehensive masterplan and Design Code for the neighbourhoods.

For more information, please visit the Otterpool Park project website.

Community Planning Day and Vision Report Back

At the Community Planning Day, there was a background exhibition and a chance to take part in workshops and hands-on planning groups. Otterpool Park and JTP team members were on hand to answer any questions throughout the event.

Following the Community Planning Day, the JTP team reflected upon and summarised the outcomes to draw up an illustrated Vision for Phase 1B, which was reported back to the community on Wednesday 20 September 2023 at Westenhanger Castle.

After the Report Back of the Vision, the Otterpool Park and JTP teams will continue working with stakeholders through a Community Review Panel to develop a framework masterplan for the new neighbourhoods and draw up a comprehensive Design Code setting design rules and requirements for the new neighbourhood area.

“Create an airy, friendly, green open town with all the necessary support facilities such as shops, pubs, clubs and transport connections.”

Background

Planning for a new garden town at Otterpool Park started in 2016, when Shepway District Council, now Folkestone & Hythe District Council, secured central government funding to help meet the housing needs of the area over the next 30 years. The new garden town will provide for a properly planned, sustainable settlement that includes not just homes but all the community services, such as schools and health provision that will be needed. In addition, a significant amount of land will remain as green space for people and nature. Extensive engagement with communities and stakeholders helped to shape the proposals and outline planning permission for Otterpool Park was granted in spring 2023.