Otterpool Park Garden Town Masterplan Stage 2 · PDF fileOtterpool Park Garden Town Masterplan...

OtterpoolParkGardenTownMasterplanStage2CommunityEngagement

September2017

KevinMurrayAssociates|OtterpoolParkGardenTownMasterplan|Stage2ConsultationReport 2

CoverimageConsultationeventatLympneCommunityHall,22ndJune2017[Thispageintentionallyblank]

Contents

1.Introduction 42.Background 53.NationalPolicyandAgencyStakeholderWorkshop 6 4.CivicandBusinessWorkshops 105.SellindgeSchoolSession 156.Stage2CommunityDrop-inSessions 177.OverviewThematicAnalysis 218.Stage2EngagementConclusions 27

AppendixA: NationalPolicyandAgencyStakeholders 30

AppendixB PressRelease 31

AppendixC: TheFeedbackForm 32

AppendixD: Feedbackformanalysis 35

1. IntroductionThisreportcoversaseriesofengagementeventswiththecommunityandlocal,regionalandnationalstakeholders,aspartofthepreparationanddesignprocessfortheOtterpoolParkGardenTownmasterplan.ThesearereferredtoastheStage2events.OtterpoolParkGardenTownisbeingjointlypromotedbyShepwayDistrictCouncil(aslandowner)andCozumelEstates,andhasbeensincemid-2016.Themasterplanningprocess,beingledbyArcadis,involvesthepreparationofanaspirationalanddeliverablemasterplanthat:

• Canembracethelandscapefeaturesofthisruralarea• Meetsthedistrict’shousingneedsforfuturegenerations• Iswelldesignedandplanned• Engagesandisinformedbythecommunityandstakeholders

Thepurposeofthispromoter-drivenengagementistoexploreperspectives,ideasandconcernsaheadoffinalisinganymasterplanandmakinganyapplication.Thisisaniterativeprocesswiththelocalcommunityandotherstakeholders,priortoformulatingafinalisedmasterplanasthebasisforaformalplanningapplication.Itshouldbenotedthatthisisnotastatutoryprocess,norisitabouttheprincipleofdevelopment.Thesematterswillbeaddressedseparatelyintheconsiderationof

• TheShepwayCouncilCoreStrategy• Anyformalplanningapplication

ThisStage2engagementbuildsonanearlierstage(1)inDecember2016,andisduetoleadtoanotherPre-Applicationstage(3),inearly2018.Thisreportsummarisestheissues,ideasandfeedbackobtainedatthefollowingengagementeventsheldbetweenAprilandtheendofJune2017:

• Policy&AgencyStakeholderevent,Folkestone -April21st• Civicandbusinessworkshops,Folkestone -June14th• SellindgePrimarySchool,Sellindge -June15th• CommunityDrop-Ins,variousvenues -June22ndto24th

Intotal,some400participantsattendedtheseevents,withtheworkshopsrunas‘byinvitation’sessionsandthe‘open’communitydrop-Insattractinglocalresidents,localbusinesses,parishanddistrictcouncillors.AswithStage1engagement,themajorityofpeopleattendingtheDrop-InsessionsweremembersofthelocalcommunitieslivingwithinorclosetotheareaofsearchfortheproposedGardenTown.Thesecondstageeventsincludedapresentationoftheinitialdesignideassummarising13exhibitionpanelswhichsetoutinmoredetailhowthemasterplanwasbeingdevelopedaroundtransport,housing,resourcesandsoon.Thediscussion,commentsandfeedbackfromthesesessionswaswide-rangingwithdetailedquestionsandspecificissuesbeingraisedinresponsetotheindicativeframeworkmasterplan.Sections2-7ofthisreportrecordtheevents,withsections8providingaThematicOverviewSummaryandsection9Conclusionsfromtheevents,withadditionaldetailintheAppendices.

2. BackgroundTheprogrammeofengagementeventsforthesecondstageofcommunityengagementtookplacebetweenApril21stand24thJune2017,comprisingthefollowing:a. ScheduleofeventsDATE&TIME FRIDAY21stAPRIL

Folkestone

TheBurlingtonHotelNationalpolicyandagencystakeholders’workshop

DATE&TIME WEDNESDAY14thJUNE

FolkestoneLeasCliffHall

CivicandBusinessstakeholdersWorkshopOne

FolkestoneLeasCliffHall

CivicandBusinessStakeholdersWorkshopTwo

DATE&TIME THURSDAY15thJune

Sellindge

SellindgePrimarySchoolInteractiveYears5&6workshop

DATE&TIME THURSDAY22ndJUNE FRIDAY23rdJUNE SATURDAY24thJUNE

NewRomneyTheMach

TheMarshAcademy10.00am-12.00pm(Presentationat

10.30am)

Folkestone

FolkestoneLibrary10:00am–2:00pm

(Presentationsscheduledfor10.30amand12.30pm)

TinTabernacle2:00–5:00pm

Sellindge

SellindgeSports&SocialClub

2:00–5:00pm(Presentationat3.00pm)

EVENING

Lympne

LympneVillageHall7.00–9:00pm

(Presentationat7.30pm)

3. NationalPolicyandAgencyStakeholderWorkshopsThisdayofworkshopswithaprofessionalnationalandagencystakeholderaudiencebeganwithaninitialpresentationontheoriginsofthepropositionforOtterpoolParkandhowbesttomeetlocalneeds,theevolvingdesignapproachandtimeframefortheproject.Thiswasfollowedbya‘questionandanswer’sessionbeforeattendeesworkedinmixedgroupstorespondtothefollowingquestions:

• Whatarethecoreissues,policyandinfluencingparameters(e.g.market&communityperceptions?)thatneedtobeaddressed;

• IdentifytheissuesandopportunitiesfortakingtheGardenTownapproachforward.AfulllistoftheorganisationsinvitedandthosethatsentoneormorerepresentativesisattachedatAppendixA.Thefeedbackreportedisdrawnfromtheanalysisoftheverbal,mappedandwrittenfeedback.Withintheworkshopthefollowingdimensionswerediscussed,eachwithaleadpolicytheme:

• Specificparameters,processes,andpoliciestomeet?• Futurepolicyandtechnologycontext?• Anydetailsandtrade-offstodevelop?• Prioritiesandnextsteps?

Allattendeeswerealsoaskedtofillinafeedbackform.Thefeedbackformaskedthe6followingquestions:

i. WhatwerethekeyissuesintakingforwardOtterpoolParkGardenTown?ii. Whatpolicyparametersand/orthresholdsneededtobemetiii. WhatideasorconceptswouldhelptodevelopOtterpoolmostbeneficially?iv. Whataretheprioritysteps,investigationsortrade-offsthatneedtobeaddressedin

thenextstageofplanninganddesign?v. AnyotherissuesorsuggestionsintakingtheGardenTownproposalsforward?vi. Whatotherorganisationorindividualshouldbeengagedwithintheprocessof

planningOtterpoolParkGardenTown?Indiscussionandfeedbacktherewasalevelofsupportforthe‘onetownandtwovillages’concept,andforthehighstreet,thoughthesewerecaveatedbyotherissuesandconcerns,asnotedbelowinthegroupfeedbacksummaries.

Figure1Stakeholderworkshopparticipants,FolkestoneApril2017

AddresscommunitydemographicbalanceThenewcommunityshouldbeonethatattractsyoungpeople,takingcarenottocreateacommutersettlement,withtheaimofmakingOtterpoolParka‘wholelifecycledevelopment’.Re-addressingtheagebalancelocallyandcreatingbusinesscommunitiesonsitewasseenascriticalsothatyounglocalpeopledon’tleavethearea.ProgressivetransportapproachneededTheneedtoliaisewiththerailfranchisee(ending23rdMay)andNetworkRailtosecureagoodoutcomeforWestenhangerstationwasseenasimportant,i.e.upgradedplatforms.Becausetheaspirationistoencouragewalkingasmuchaspossiblewithinthesite,carparkingatthestationshouldbetheminimumtomeetneeds.However,whetherthestationcouldhelpdevelopanewcommunitywithoutencouragingcommutingwasquestioned.Upgradingexistingtransportinfrastructureandapplyinggoodpracticedemandmanagementmeasureswereviewedaspotentiallyaidingsustainabletransportflowsandmodalinterchangewiththestation.MovingthestationtowardsthecentreofthesiteisunlikelytobeviablebutithasbeenraisedintheforthcomingAecomreport.ThereisadangerthatimprovinglocalroadnetworksforeasierusewouldmakeaccesstotheAONBeasier,creatinghigherthroughflowsoftraffic.Astrategicapproachtoaccessibilityandmobilityshouldhelptofosterhigheruseofimprovedpublictransportservices;thesecouldbegearedtoenablingeasierpublictransportaccesstoeventsandtotheAONB.HGVimpactsarehighandneedtobebettercontrolledbutthemotorwayjunctionitselfhasthecapacitytotakemoretraffic.Acycleroute/walkwayfromSellindgetothestationwassuggested,aswasabusnetworkwithinandthroughOtterpoolParktoothertownsnearbye.g.Hythe,Lympneetc.Future-proofingOtterpoolParkwasadvisedsothatthedesignallowsfornewtechnologye.g.inpublictransportsuchasbusrouteschangingondemandandelectricbuslinkstothestationreducingtheneedforcarparkingetc.LandscapeandinfrastructureEffectivelymanagingfloodriskwithinandbeyondthesiteusingeffectiveSUDssolutionstoachieveinfiltrationratesbetterthanexistinglevelswasraisedasanissuerequiringagreementbyarangeofstakeholders.Thelandscape-leddesignapproachenablingsignificant,strategicuseofSUDswasconsideredtobeawayofprovidinggoodsolutionsforfloodmitigation,energyefficientinsulationandbiodiversitybenefits.Securingnewinfrastructureinvestmentwithinthemainutilities’fiveyearlybusinessplanningcyclewasstronglyadvised.ThelandscapearoundexistingsettlementslikeWestHytheandtheM20,Junction11andA20iserodedandinneedofenhancement.Consideringhowto‘present’thedevelopmentbyusingtheopportunitytoredesignexistingand‘leftover’roadinfrastructure,sothatthenetworkismoreeffectiveandbetterintegratedintothelandscapewasstronglyadvised,notleastbecause“peoplearedrawntogoodplaces”.Addresswater,wasteandfloodingDuetothecomplexwatersupply/wastetreatment/floodriskissues,itwassuggestedthatadedicatedgroupbeestablishedtoconsiderandhelpresolvethewaterandinfrastructure

issues.Emphasiswasalsoplacedonasustainablewastemanagementinvolvingallocationofareasonthemasterplanforenergy-to-wasteplantsgivingaself-sufficientwastedisposalsystemwhilstcreatingalocalenergysourcethatwouldalsoprovidelocalemployment.HousingTherewasconsiderablediscussionastohowhomescouldbestbeallocatedtolocalpeople,includingthosewishingtoreturntothearea.Therewereconcernsaboutgettingtherightbalancebetweenattractingincomerstoencouragenewbusiness,andpreventingOtterpoolParkfrombecomingacommutersettlementforLondon.Discountedhousepricesandspecificmortgagepackageswereconsideredforhealth/medicalpractitionersandkeyworkers,asprovidedbytheDolphinTrustinLondon,andsimilarset-ups,withsuchpropertiesbeingsafeguardedforhealth/medicalworkersaspartofanOtterpoolParkCommunityManagementTrust.CommunityfacilitiesTheprovisionofnewschoolsforOtterpoolParkwasdiscussedalongsidetheurgentneedfornewhealthfacilities.Recruitingthenecessarystaffwasaconcernduetotheexistingskillsshortage.Therewasagreementthatnotonlymustnewprovisionmeettheneedsofthenewcommunity,butalsosupportexistingprovisioninthesurroundingareas.TransferringgoodpracticeapproachesfornewwaysofdeliveringhealthandsocialcarefromotherpartsoftheUKwassuggested,includinglinkswithgreeninfrastructureforhealthierlifestyles.Meetingneedsacrossallagegroupsbyprovidingcultural,socialandleisurefacilitiesandamenitiesthatenableactivelives,includinglinkstoCanterburyandFolkestone,wasconsideredessential.Encouragingcommunitycohesionaroundbusinessplaces,ratherthanalinearlayout,wasthoughtbeneficial,i.e.somethingcircularwouldallowforsocialisinginthespacesbetweenbusinesspremises.Changingworkpatterns,witholderpeopleworkinglongerinfuture,perhapsparttimeandpreferablylocally,withhomesnearjobswillencouragemovement,walkingandsocialising.Gettingtheretailandleisureofferrighttoencourageathrivinglocalcentrewasseenasveryimportant.Integratingcommunityfacilitiestoensureviabledeliveryoffacilitiesshouldbeconsidered,aswellasencouraging‘pioneer’newshopspossiblyconcentratedaroundthestation.Also,theshortageofburialspacesintheareawasraisedasanissueforconsideration.Greennetworks,landscapeandlong-termmanagementTherewasmuchsupportforalandscape-ledapproachwithnewwoodlandplantingprovidingasenseofsettlementandscreening.Settingthenewdevelopmentintotheexistinglandscape,respondingtocuesfromitshistoryandtopographywasconsideredpotentiallymoreimportantthantakingdesigncuesfromtheexistingsettlements;OtterpoolParkmustrespecttheexistingcontextbuthaveitsowncharacter.TherewassupportforgreenspacearoundWestenhangerCastle,toprotectitandrestoreitssouthwardaspect.VisualimpactassessmentwillbeessentialforviewsfromtheAONB,withinandacrossthesite.Thelandscape-ledapproachraisedquestionsaboutwhowillmanagethisnewpublicresource,withsuggestionsforsettingupacommunitytrustinperpetuityusinga

S106agreementliketheMiltonKeynesParkTrust.ThesearcharealiesoutsidetheAONBbutwithinitssetting,whichisanimportantconsiderationfortheproposedOtterpoolGardenTown.ThisincludesviewsoutfromtheAONBoverthenewdevelopmentmustbecarefullyconsidered,includingtheadjacentAshfordCouncil’s‘DarkSkies’policytothewestofthesearcharea.Buildingheightsandlegibilitywillbeimportantconsiderationsrelatingtodevelopmentwithinthissetting.Combininggreencourseswithwatercoursesisconsidereddesirable.TakingaccountofthehistoricgrainandhowthismightinfluencethelayoutwouldalsohelpinmakingOtterpoolParkattractivetoincomersandlocalcommunities,thepublicgreenspaceenvisagedcouldbeusedforevents(walkableformanyresidents).ThelocalCreativeFoundationisworthconsideringasapartner/stakeholderforhowbesttoutilisenewgreenspace/greeninfrastructure.Takingdesigncuesfromthesurroundingarea,e.g.neighbourhoodstothenorthechoingthetraditionalbuiltformfoundatthebaseoftheNorthDownscouldworkwell.Tenterdenhasauniqueinterfacewithlocalgeography.Sustainability,sustainabledesignandaprosperouseconomyOpportunitiesforrenewableenergyandinnovativetechnologieswereraised,includingenergyefficientdesignandC21stenergysystemsforbetterdevelopment,sothatnotonlynewbutalsoexistingresidents/settlementscanbenefit.Encouragingnewtechnologiesforheatrecoveryandcooling,particularlyonallocatedbusinessemploymentsiteswasadvised.Usingsolarroofs,notsimplyPVpanels,encouraginggreenroofsandwallsandre-chargeablehome-batteriesandpublicchargingpointsforelectricvehicleswereallsuggested.TherecentAecomwasteandwaterstrategyreviewswereadvisedtobefactoredintoOtterpoolPark’sdesignapproach.Aneffectivedesignreviewprocesstoachievehighstandardswasrequestedwithexplicit,clearlyphraseddesigncodesembeddedinS106agreementsthatarelegallyeffective.EmploymentandmixeduseArobustemploymentstrategywasseenasnecessary,withattractivepropositionstodrawtherightmixofpeople.Amixedusehighstreet(commercial/retail/housing)withaneveningeconomysuchasthatinRochestercouldbeanexplicitaim.PlanninganddeliveryprocessTherewasdiscussionabouthowOtterpoolParkwillworkwithotherdevelopmentswithinthesiteareathathavealreadyreceivedplanningpermission,plushowtheproposalsimpactonadjacentareas.MakingtheproposalsclearwithintheSDCCoreStrategyandbeingtransparentabouttheplanningprocessandhowpeoplecanrespondtoitwasseenasimportant.Safeguardingthemasterplansoitisdevelopedasintendedandcanbesecuredthrougheffectiveplanningconditions,whilstnotpreventingfutureapplicationsinthelongertermforsomethingdifferent/better,wasadvised.

4. CivicandBusinessWorkshopsThisdaycomprisedtwoseparate,identicallyrunworkshopsessionsatLeasCliffHallinFolkestoneforcivicrepresentativesfromparish,townanddistrictcouncilsandbusinesspeoplefromacrosstheShepwayareaandadjacentdistricts.Viewsweresoughtaboutthelocationoftheproposeddevelopment,itstimeframe,theemergingframeworkmasterplananditsproposedphasing.Allparticipantshadbeenspecificallyinvitedtotakepart,workinginself-selectedgroupsofbetweenfivetoeightpertable.

Figure2GroupdiscussionsatCivic&Businessworkshop,FolkestoneJune2017EachworkshopsessionbeganwithacomprehensivepresentationbytheArcadis-ledprojectteam,explainingthereasonforthelocationandareaofsearch,thedesignapproachandtherelevanceofgardentownprinciplesforwhatwasbeingproposed.Peoplewereinvitedtoaskquestionsduringthepresentationandeachsessionthenledintogroupdiscussionsfacilitatedbyteammembersfollowedbyverbalfeedbackontheproposals.Eachgroupwasgivenamaintopictofocuson:transportandinfrastructure;theeconomyandlocalbusiness;housingandcommunity;sustainability;greeninfrastructureandenvironment,butcouldalsocoveranythingtheyfeltwasimportant.Theywereeachaskedtoconsiderthefollowingfourquestions:

• Whatdoyousupportabouttheseproposals?• Whatisofconcerntoyou?• Whatideasandsuggestionsdoyouhavethattheteamshouldtakeonboard?• Whatotheradviceorquestionsdoyouhave?

ThefollowingisasummaryofthemainpointsofthediscussionsfromeachworkshopsessionbuteveryparticipantwasalsoinvitedtocompleteafeedbackformwhichisattachedatAppendixC.Thisformwasalsousedforthesubsequentcommunitydrop-insattheendofJunetoaidconsistencyinanalysingtheresults,whichareprovidedinSection7.

Figure3GroupdiscussionsatCivic&Businessworkshop,FolkestoneJune2017DimensionsofsupportfortheproposalsTherewasgeneralsupportfortheproposalswhichwereconsideredtobecoherentandthestrongemphasisonalandscape-leddevelopmentwasespeciallywelcomed,aswastherestoredsettingforWestenhangerCastleasaheritageasset.Theproposed‘towncentre’densityandheightofbuildingswasfelttoworkifproperlybalancedwithhigh-qualitygreenspace.ATenterden-styleofdevelopmentanddesignwaswelcomedbysome,whilstprovidingflatsovershopswasfelttobepositivebecauseitlivensuparetailarea,makingitamorevibrantplace;manysaidtheywereencouragedbythemasterplan.Theattentiongiventohigh-qualityemployment-withanewtowncentreandcommercialareas–wouldofferyoungfamiliesandyoungpeopleopportunitiesinwhatiscurrentlyanageingruralcommunity.Theprovisionofseveralschoolswasseenasapositiveasthisisabiglocalissue,withpressureonexistingschoolstoincreasetheirintake.“Notonlyjobsbuthousingfortheyoungergenerationwillbesuppliedonwhatisagood,well-chosensite,makingitpossibleforpeopletostayinthearea,nothavetomoveawayforwork.Itwillbeaplaceforyoungpeople.”“Goodopportunitiesforyoungpeopleandyoungfamilies,theyneedthis.”PeoplefeltthatthebusinessareasweregenerallyintherightplacebutqueriedwhattypeofbusinessescouldbeattractedtoOtterpoolParkastherewouldneedtobearangeofbusinesspremisesforstart-ups,thoseexpanding,officesandmanufacturingspacewithequalopportunitiesforsmallaswellaslargerbusinesses.Theconstructionsectorwouldobviouslybenefit,althoughtherewasconcernthatlocalcompaniesmayloseouttolargerbusinesses.Theprovisionofmultiplelocalcentrestoencouragewalkingandcyclingwasfelttobegood,withtheprovisionofdedicatedcyclepathsespeciallywelcomed.Othernewinfrastructurelikeapossiblelightrail/tramlinktoHythewasconsideredtobeagoodidea,iffeasible.

MattersofconcernThemainconcernwasthatOtterpoolshouldavoidbecomingadormitorytownofLondoncommuters.Attractingoneormorebiggeremployerstocreatejobsandafairlyself-sustainingcommunity,wherepeopledon’tneedtocommuteout,wasseenascritical.Attractingamixeddemographiccomprisinglocalpeopleaswellasyoungerpeoplefromfurtherafield,wascitedasimportant.Whilstnewemploymentopportunitieswouldbecreatedtherewasrealconcernaboutlocalsalariesnotbeingattractiveenoughtoyoungerpeople,withahighproportionattractedtoLondonjobswithhighersalaries.Pinningdowntheinfrastructureissues,likethepossibleupgradetoWestenhangerstation,andwhetherornotHS1willstoptherewasaconcern.Providingaparkandridethat’stoobigcouldattractmoreLondoncommuters,defeatingthemainlocalpurposeofOtterpoolPark.Concernremainsaboutwhetherthelorryholdingareawillgoaheadbecauseit’snotseenassustainableorcompatiblewiththisdevelopment.Publicdistrustabouttheproposalsmeansthatexistingresidentsneedtrust/credibility/transparencyintheprocess.Itwillbeimportantnottoswamptheexistingvillagesorcauseanylossofidentitybutachieveimprovedqualityoflifeforallages.“ThereisaneedtodemonstratemoreclearlywhatOtterpoolcanoffertotheexistingcommunitiesandhowtheycanbenefit;itneedstobeinclusive”.

Somefeltthatvolumehomebuildersmightnotprovidehighstandardsofconstructionandthatthereneedstobesuretyinprovisionofarangeoftenuresandsizesofhomesineachphaseofdevelopmentsothatlocalneedsaremet.Thespreadofmultiplelocalcentrestomeetlocalneedswaspopular,butinnovationinparkingareaswouldbeneededtoavoidreplicatingproblemsinFolkestone.Questionswereaskedaboutlong-termresponsibilitiesforshopandofficepremises,especiallyifflatsareabovegroundfloorbusinesspremises,(i.e.whatfreeholdandleaseholdarrangementsarebeingconsidered?)asthiswillaffectwhetherpremisesareattractiveenoughtopotentialusers.Questionswerealsoaskedaboutthehousingneedfiguresandhowthesematchtheplanphasing,whichwouldneedtoensurethatservicesareprovidedattherighttimetohaveacommunitytosupply,andviceversa.Whilsttheprincipleofdevelopmentwasacceptedsomefeltthatitwasimportanttofirstconsiderexistingbrownfieldsites,anddevelopthosefirstasapriority.“Whilsttheemergingplanlooksgood,whynotfocusfirstonthosebrownfieldandderelictpartsofFolkestoneandadjacenttownsthatareinneedofinvestmentandregeneration;thiswouldrequirelessinfrastructureandhavemoreimmediatebenefits.”Transportinfrastructureimprovementstothelocalroadnetworkandanewmotorwayjunctiontotheeastofthesitewereconsideredtobelongoverdueandshouldbeapriority.GettingtrafficmovementsrighttoavoidstationtrafficandHGVsonthenewhighstreetwasimportant.

Onegroupfeltthatthedesignapproachwasn’tbraveorinnovativeenoughyet,statingthatthemasterplanandvisionneedtobemoreforward-lookingandchallenging.Addressinglocalhousingneedsofalltypeswascriticalincludingthepercentageofaffordablehomestobeprovided.Socialrentedhousing,sharedownershipprovisionandprivaterentedhousing,involvingsomeofthelargerproviders,wasconsideredtobeanimportantingredient.Gettingacarefulbalancebetweenhousingandcommercialdevelopment,whilstestablishingahighstreetabletowithstandchangingretailtrends,wouldbeneeded.Businessesneedtherightfacilitiestosucceedsogettinggoodbroadbandandsimilarserviceswasalsorequested.Environmentalconcernsincludedtheneedtoconsidergroundwater,especiallytothesouthwherespringscouldbeanissue;Akeypointwasensuringthatwatersupplyandwatershortageshadbeenassessedindetailbecausecreatinganewtown/villagecouldmakeanexistingsituationworse.Thepotentialforgreywaterrecyclingandrain-waterharvestingneedtobefullyinvestigatedAddressingwastemanagementrightandavoidingaddingtoexistingairqualityproblemsthathavelong-termhealthconsequences,especiallyfortheyoung,areimportant.

Figure4GroupdiscussionsatCivic&Businessworkshop,FolkestoneJune2017

IdeasandsuggestionsforthedesignteamGettinginformation(theemergingmasterplanandproposals)outtotheyoungergenerationasfastaspossiblewasstronglyadvised.“theyneedtoknowaboutthis,they’rethefuture.”Theneedtostressthe30-yeartimeframeandthemultiplebenefitsthedevelopmentcouldbringtoexistingcommunitieswasstronglyadvised.SDCwasalsourgedtouseallitspowersandinfluenceasalandowner/developertogetvolumehomebuildersandotherstofullydelivertherightoutcomes.Itwasseenasimportanttoattractalogisticalhubcompanytopullinmorebusinesses.AimingforOtterpooltobezerocarbonandmakinggooduseofrenewableenergytechnologywassuggested.HavinggreenwallsandroofswasconsideredtobegoodforreducingpollutionandanaspirationthatOtterpoolshouldideallyaimtobea‘particulatefree’settlementwas

raised.Itwasarguedthatthiscouldbepursuedinseveralwaysincludingusingonlyelectricbuses,installingelectriccarcharginginfrastructureacrossthedevelopmentfromtheoutsetandprioritisingparkingforelectriccars.Usingavarietyofbuildingstylesandtenurestoattractagoodrangeofpeoplewassuggested,aswastheideathatlocalbuildingcompaniesshouldgetpreference.Creatingadesignguideandusingmorecontemporaryarchitecture,plusarangeofwideandnarrowstreetsshouldbeanaim;tryingtogetafeelofaCinquePortdevelopmentorTenterden-styleshouldmakeOtterpoolParkanattractiveplacetoliveandwork.CreatingasenseofcivicprideinOtterpoolParkasagoodplacetoliveshouldbeanaim.Usingsportandculturalfacilitiestobeproudof,aslongasthesecomplimentswhatisonofferelsewhereinthedistrict,wasadvisedasthiswouldhelpattractpeopleandhelptocreateanewidentity.Localfoodproductionwasseenasimportantwithasuggestionthatthelorryholdingareacouldbeusedtoreturnlandtofarmingintheeventofanyfuturefoodshortages.Makingsurethatstructuralwoodlandplantingaddressestheissueofashdie-backwascautionedandnewpublicfacilitieslikeafishinglakewererecommended.OtheradviceandfurtherquestionsFurtherideasandqueriesweregroupedaroundthefollowing:• Improvedroadandraillinks,includingliaisonwithEbbsfleet,andpossiblyashuttlebusto

AshfordlinktoimproveaccesstoEurostar.• Haveanexperimentaltechnologyclusterandencouragemoreinnovativesustainability

solutions.• Whattypeandscaleoflocalfoodproductionwouldbefeasibleandwhatwouldthe

benefitsbeforlocalproducers?• Avoidparkingonstreetsinneighbourhoods,asthisinhibitschildrenplayingoutside

together.Boulevardtyperoadsandpropercyclepathstomakecyclingsafeforeveryone.Havingsmallblocksofhomesaroundminigreenscreatescommunalareasforplay,socialising,etc.sothatneighbourscangettoknoweachother.

• Goforadiversityofarchitecturalpracticesandreallychallengethemtogetthebestoutofthem,tomakeOtterpoolParkdistinctive.Don’tkeepharkingbacktoEbenezerHowardwhenthingshavemovedonconsiderably,withnewtechnology,newpriorities,andsoon.

• Housestobebuiltwithwaterharvesting/solarpanelanddementia-proofhousing.Trytopitchanew,moreexcitingpropositionthatreallyfocusesondistinctiveness.

• Newchurchesandfaithcentreswillbeneededaswilleitheracrematoriumorburialspace.• WhatimpactwillOtterpoolParkhaveonexistingcommunities,businessesand

infrastructure–constructiontrafficwillneedbetterinfrastructurefromtheoutset.• Givenlorryholdingareaproposalsthereisconcernthatfreight/haulagedonotfitwiththe

proposals• Whatisaffordablehousinginreality?Whatopportunitiesforsocialaffordablehousing,

privateandgovernmentschemeswillbeprovided?• AbufferbetweennewdevelopmentandAldingtonisneeded.Whowillownthegreen

buffersandwhowillmanagethem?Otherwisetheywilllosetheirroleandvalue.

5. SellindgeSchoolSession

ThisinteractiveworkshopforYear5and6pupilswasattendedbytheformteacherandateachingassistantaswellastheKMAteamandarepresentativefromSDC.Thepupilsweresplitintogroupsoffivetosixpertableandweregivenaveryshortintroductorypresentationabouttheproposalstocreateanewgardentown.Itwasexplainedthatnothingwasdefinitebutthataprojectteamwasworkingonseveralstudiescoveringtheareaofsearchtoseewhatwaspossibleincludingnewhousing,greenspace,cycleroutes,shopsandoffices,newroadsandotherfacilities.TheKMAteamexplainedthatitwouldtakemanyyearsforthetowntobeslowlydevelopedandthattheywouldbegrownupandmayhavechildrenoftheirownbythetimethefirstphasewasestablished.

Thepupilswereinvitedtoaskanyquestionsbeforebeingaskedtoworkintheirgroupstolistoutallthethingstheyfeltwouldbeneededforthenewtown,andtothinkcarefullyaboutwhatitwouldbeliketobegrownupandlivethereifOtterpoolweretogoahead.Onceeachgrouphadagreedwhattheyfeltwasimportanttoprovideforchildren,families,olderpeopleandworkers,thatwereaskedtocreatetheirown‘masterplan’onmapsprovided.Thisinvolvedcuttingoutandstickingoncolouredpaper,witheachcolourrepresentingadifferenttypeoffacilityorinfrastructure:

Figure5GroupworkattheSellindgeschoolworkshop,Sellindge2017Thepupilsparticipatedenthusiasticallyandseemedpleasedthattheyhadbeenaskedtotakepartinhelpingthemasterplannerstodesigntheproposednewsettlement,withsomerequestingafollow-upvisit.Theseriesofimagesoverleafshowthegroupseachpresentingtheirfinalplanstotheirclassmatesandteachers.Thereweresuggestionsforfunparks,footballstadiums,shopsandrestaurantsbutalsoverythoughtfulsuggestionslikenewparksthatwouldbegoodforpeopletowalkandplaywiththeirdogs,greenareaswhereolderpeoplecouldsitandtalkandevenaspecialknittingcentreforgrannies.Everygroupadvisedthatanewhospitalwouldbeneeded,withacouplesuggestingthattwowouldbebest,withonebeingveryspecialistandasecondbeingfornon-emergencycare.Thechildrenalsofeltthatitwouldbemuchbettertobeabletowalkorcycletoschoolonsafepathwaysawayfromcarsandlorries.

Figure6GrouppresentationsattheSellindgeschoolworkshop,Sellindge2017

6. CommunityDrop-InSessions

AswiththeStage1EngagementinDecember2016,thelocations,venues,timesofthedayandweekwereallarrangedtoenableparticipationbyaslargeanumberofpeopleaspossible,especiallyforthosewhofelttheymaybemoredirectlyaffectedbyanydevelopmentwithintheareaofsearch.Theexhibitionswereinwell-knownandusedlocalandcommunityvenuesthatwereeasytogettoandtookplaceconsecutivelyovertwoweekdays,oneeveningandduringthedayonaSaturday.a. PublicityTheeventswereonceagainwidelypublicisedthroughdirectmailings,postersandflyersandthelocalmedia,includingthefollowing:

• Apressbriefingon14thJuneforinvitedmembersofthelocalpress,whichresultedin10piecesofcoverageaweekaheadoftheevent;

• AjointSDC/Cozumelpressreleaseissuedon12thJune,resultingin5piecesofcoverage(SeecopyatAppendixB).

• ThreebroadcastinterviewswithKentradiostations,ofwhichtwowereon14thJunefollowingthepressbriefingwhilstthesecondtookplaceonthe21stJune,aspartoftheadvancepublicity;

• Socialmediawasalsoused;FacebookandTwitterchannelswereestablished,andseveraltargetedposts‘boosted’onFacebookwereaimedatrelevantaudiences.

• Postersandflyerswereprintedanddistributedtolocallibrariesandeventvenuesintherelevantparishesinadvanceofthesessions.Theywerealsoprovidedashandoutstostakeholdersattendingthecivicworkshopsessionon14thJuneandtoeveryonewhocametothepublicDrop-Insessions(seepostersandflyerbelow);

Figure7Publicitypostersforthesecondstageofcommunityconsultation

b. Eventformatandfeedbackmethod

AswiththeDecemberengagement,theeventscomprisedastaffed,publicdrop-inexhibitionopentoall,butwiththemaindifferencebeingashort,pre-publicisedpresentationataspecifiedtimeduringeachsession.Thepurposeinofferingthesepresentationswastoexplainthedesignapproachinmoredetail,complementingthesummaryinformationprovidedontheexhibitionpanelsandprovidepeoplewiththeopportunitytoaskmoretargetedquestions.

TheseriesofdisplaybannersexplainingtheapproachtakentodesigningthephasesofdevelopmentforOtterpoolParkcoveredtransport,greeninfrastructure,employmentandskillsopportunities,theapproachtakentohousingdesignanddensityineachphase,health,educationandenvironmentalconsiderationsincludingwaterandbiodiversity.TheseweredesignedtoaddressquestionsandconcernsarisingfromtheStage1communityengagementeventsatwhichthefollowinghadbeenraised:

• Someideasastowhata‘gardentown’or‘gardenvillage’mightlooklikeandwhereitwouldbelocatedwithintheareaofsearch

• State,infairlysimpleterms,whymorehousesareneededintheareaandwhoSDCthinktheyareneededfor,i.e.localpeopleand/orpeoplemovingtothearea

• Showhowthedevelopmentmightgrowifitcommencedtoallayconcernsaboutnewhomesbeingprovidedbeforeservicesandfacilitiesareinplace

• Providesomeinitialideasonroaddesign,newon/offroadprovisionandintegration/connectivity

• Explainoutlineideasonhowhousescouldbemadeaffordableandforlocalpeople• Providesomeinitialthoughtsonservicesandwaste/sewageprovision

Forthisseriesofcommunityeventstheindicativeframeworkmasterplan‘graphic’wasprovidedonalargefloormap.Themasterplanlayoutwasshownwithintheareaofsearchforthegardentownandidentifiedthelikelyphasesofdevelopment,startingatthenorth-easterncornerofthesiteclosetoWestenhangerstationanddevelopingsouthandwestwithintheareaofsearchovera40to50-yearperiod.Anexhibitionpanelconsideredthesize,locationandcharacterofthefirsttwophasesinmoredetailcoveringthefirst10to15yearsofdevelopment.MembersoftheArcadisdesignandplanningteam,alongwithrepresentativesfromKevinMurrayAssociates,PropertyHouseMarketing,ShepwayDistrictCouncilandCozumelEstateswereavailablethroughoutthethreedaystoanswerquestions,listentocommentsandtakenotes.AnA4-sizesummaryleafletabouttheindicativemasterplanwasavailableasahandouttotakeaway(copyinAppendixC).Thisalsoprovidedanexplanationoftheplanningcontextforthenewtownproposition,inparticulartheneedfornewhousingidentifiedinaStrategicHousingMarketAssessment(SHMA)preparedasevidenceforShepway’sCoreStrategyandLocalPlan.Feedbackformswereavailableforpeopletocomplete,preferablybeforetheyleft,ortotakeawayandpostbacktoPropertyHouseMarketing.Everyonewhocametotheeventswereinvitedtoprovidecommentsontheindicativemasterplantoinformitsnextiteration.

Figure8Imageshowingtheexhibitionbanners(onleft)andthelargefloormap(centreright)c. ThefeedbackformThefeedbackform(seecopyatAppendixC)wasusedatdifferenttypesofevents–professional/statutorystakeholders,civicandbusinessstakeholdersandmembersofthecommunity–toenableconsistencyofanalysisandcomparisonofresponsesbetweeneachtypeofstakeholder.Thefeedbackdatacollatedduringthedrop-inssoughttoreviewtheemergingindicativeframeworklayout,phasingandoveralldesignapproachandtocontributeissuesandaspirationstoinformtheongoinganalysisanddesignprocess.Peoplewillhavethechancetosupportorobjecttospecificdevelopmentproposalsattheplanningapplicationstage,shouldtheywish.d. NumberofparticipantsThetableoverleafshowsthatsome304attendedand100completedfeedbackformswerereturnedfortherespectivesessions.Theindicativemasterplan,thedesignthemesandpropositionspresentedgavepeopleamuchbetterideaofthelikelyextentandtypeofnewsettlementthatislikelytocomeforwardasaformalplanningapplication.AswiththeDecemberevents,theattendanceattheStage2drop-insmaynotbestatisticallyrepresentativeofthepopulationofShepwayDistrict(circa108,000people)sowecannotmakeanyclaimsonbehalfoftheviewsofthewholedistrict-widepopulation.

Event Approx.nos.Attendees

FeedbackForms

TinTabernacle,Hythe 94 34

LympneVillageHall 90 29

TheMACH,TheMarshAcademy,NewRomney

SellindgeSportsandSocialClub 87 26

FolkestoneLibrary 25 10

Inadditiontofeedbackformscompletedduringthesession,afurther25responseswereemailedaftertheevents.AswiththeStage1Decemberevents,becauseseveralindividualsandhouseholdssubmittedmultipleresponses,itisnotpossibletostatetheexactpercentageofthoseattendingthesessionswhoprovidedaresponse.Threetofourmembersofalocalprotestgroup1objectingtothegardentownproposalwereagainpresentoutsidetheentrancetoeachevent(exceptattheMachAcademy,Romney)withoutanypriornoticeto,oragreementwithArcadis,ShepwayDistrictCouncil,CozumelEstatesortheindividualvenues.Attendeesweregreetedonarrivalbymembersofthisgroupandgivenahandoutbeforeenteringthevenue.Theleafletpreparedbytheobjectorsgroupsetsouttheirperspectivesonthepropositionforanewgardentown,containingtheirinterpretationaboutthenumberofnewhomesneededfortheShepwayarea.Amajorconcernraisedisaroundasenseoflossofrural/villageidentityinthelocality.Theissuesthatpeopleraisedarecombinedintothethematicsection8.,withthefeedbackformissuesinAppendixD.

Figure9TheFolkestonedrop-inpresentationFigure10Drop-inpresentation

7. OverviewThematicAnalysisTheresultsofthefeedbackformanalysisinAppendixDhavebeencombinedwiththenotestakenbyteammemberspresentatthecivicandbusinesseventsandthecommunitysessions.Notesweretakentorecordkeyissues,viewsandideas,particularlyastheyaffectthemasterplanmovingforward.AswiththeStage1report,theanalysishasbeengroupedintotheheadlinesthemesemergingfromthediscussionsandfeedbackinformation.Thesearelistedbelowandmayberegardedasthecoretopicsbeingraised,discussedandfed-backbypeoplefollowingeachevent.

• Infrastructure–existingandfuturecapacityo Transportandtrafficdemandmanagemento Watersupply

• Housing,especiallylocalaffordability• Healthservicesandfacilities• Business,employmentandeducation• Greenspaceandenvironmentalquality• Trustandcontrolovertheplanningandconstructionprocess• Continuingconsultationandengagement

7.1 Infrastructure–existingandfuturecapacity

TransportandtrafficdemandmanagementConcernwasexpressedaboutthepotentialimpactoftheproposeddevelopmentonthelocalroadnetwork,sayingthatthelocalroadswon’tcopeandthattrafficmanagementacrosstheareaneedsre-thinking,includingtoensurethatexistingissuesareresolvedasapriority.Therewasconsiderableconcernabouttheimpactofadditionaltrafficontheroadsatpeaktimes,especiallyduringthesummerweekendswhenmorepeoplewanttogotothebeach,andforother‘peaktraffic’times.AnumberofpeopleexpressedtheaspirationthatnewandimprovedtransportlinksandtransportinterchangefacilitiesbeprovidedinadvanceofanydevelopmentatOtterpool.Concernwasalsoexpressedaboutundesirablechangestothecharacteroftheruralroadsinthattheyareattractiveandanylossofcharactertoamoreurbanfeel,withassociatedstreet-lighting,wouldnotbewelcomed.TheindicativemasterplanidentifiednewroadswithineachphaseofthedevelopmentbutportrayedtheexistingA20andotherroadsastheycurrentlyare.TherewasconcernaboutwhethertherelevantauthoritieswouldachieveaneffectivesolutiontotheA20’scurrenttrafficissues.TherewasalsocontinuingconcernaboutthepotentialimpactsofOperationStack/thelorryholdingareaproposalsonboththeexistingroadnetwork,andanyimprovementsthatmightbepossible.Thepotentialtocreatesaferroutesforcyclistsandpedestriansacrossthedevelopment,linkingtoadjacentareaswasverypopular,especiallywheresegregatedcyclelanesandoff-roadroutescouldbeprovided.

TherewereseveralquestionsateachsessionaboutthelikelihoodofupgradingWestenhangerstationandtheimpactsthismayhave.TherewereconcernsthatmakingWestenhangeraHS1stopwouldtakethisserviceawayfromanotherlocalstation,tothedetrimentofexistingresidents.AnotherconcernwasthatmakingWestenhangeraHS1stopwouldsimplyencourageLondoncommuterstomoveintoOtterpoolPark,i.e.itwouldeffectivelybecomeasatelliteofLondon.Therewasaverystrongsentimentthatanyimprovementstothestationshouldbenefitlocalsandthatextendingparkingprovisioncouldbedouble-edgedintermsofimpacts.Thepotentialtoreinstatetheoldracecoursebranch-linewasalsoraised.WaterWaterwasconsideredacriticalissue,withthemanypeopleateachcommunityeventconcernedaboutwatershortagesbeingavoided,especiallyduringsummerdroughtconditions.Waterwasseenasafiniteresource,alreadyseverelyunderpressurebecauseno-onewantedtheirexistingsupplytobeputatrisk.Therewasalsoconcernthatanynewwatersupplyandaquiferre-chargeinfrastructureforOtterpoolParkmayunfairlyincreasecostsforexistingcommunitiesinthearea.Peopleweregenerallyveryconcernedaboutoptionsforwatermanagementandsecurityofsupplyandsoughtconvincingdetailonthis.“Thisareaisalreadywater-stressedwithrisksofwatershortagessohowcanitsupportthissizeofdevelopment?”ThegreeninfrastructureandSUDsdesignapproachwerestronglywelcomedbythosewithatechnicalandin-depthknowledgeoftheirvalue.Therewassomelimiteddiscussionaboutthepotentialforaquiferrechargeandlinkswithmeasuresthatcouldenableimprovedwinterfloodmitigation.SomefeltthattheproposalsforagreencorridoralongtheriverStourcomplimentednecessaryfloodriskmitigationidentifiedbytheEnvironmentAgency,whilstalsobenefitingbiodiversity.Therewasalsolimiteddiscussionaboutthepotentialforintegralrainwatercollectionandwaterrecyclingsystemsbeingbuiltinatthedesignstageforeachphase.Referencewasmadetohowcost-effectivethiscouldbe,whilstsomerequestedmoreinformation.7.2 Housing,especiallyaffordabilityTherewassomehighlevelofagreementthatnewhousingwasneededbutconsiderablevariationinviewsastohowmuch,whattypeandwhere.Therewasarecurringlineofdebatearoundwhethernewhomescouldbeaccommodatedbyinfilldevelopmentinexistingruralvillagesandthemaincoastaltowns,setagainsttheevidencethatmostavailablesiteshadalreadybeenaccountedforintherecentStrategicHousingMarketAssessment(SHMA)Therewasconcernandconfusionaboutthefiguresprovided,theiroriginandaccuracy.ThosewhoweresupportiveoftheOtterpoolParkproposalsinprinciple,werehoweverscepticalaboutwhetherlocalpeoplewouldbeabletoaffordtoliveinthedevelopmentunlessmeasureswereputinplacetoensurethatpreferencewasgiventolocalpeopletorentortobuy.Therewasgenerallymuchconcernabouttheimportanceofprovidingnewaffordable–includingsocialrented-housinginperpetuitytobenefitlocalpeople,especiallyyoungfamiliesandkeyworkersinthehealthandeducationsectors.Therewasscepticismthat‘affordablehomes’wouldactuallymakeittomarketandexamplesofrecentandnewdevelopmentinHythe,Ebbsfleetandotherlocaltownswerecitedas

evidenceofpromisedaffordablehomesnotbeingdelivered.Concernwascitedaboutinflatedrentsandhighpricesforsecond-homestoattractincomersfromLondonwerecommon,e.g.theFisherman’sBeachdevelopment.ThepointwasmadethataveragesalariesinShepway(around£25K)meanveryfewpeoplehavethechanceofmakingitontothepropertyladder.Therewasanexchangeofviewsamongstsomeparticipantsaroundnimbyismandselfishnesswhenitcametonewhousingdevelopment,i.e.thosewhoareagainstanychangearedenyingyoungerpeoplethechancetogetonthehousingladder.Thefocusofthediscussionsabouthousingwasaroundhowbesttoensurethataffordablehomesreallywereprovidedwithintherightmixoftenures,andwereavailableonlytolocalsonalong-termbasis.Theimportanceofprovidingagoodmixforyoungandolderpeoplewasalsostressed,andtoensurekeyworkersaresupportedtogetonthehousingladder.TherewaspressureonSDC/Cozumeltoprovidemoreinformationabouttenureoptionsandlong-termmeasures.“It’sgoodtohaveallthegenerationstogetherinanewdevelopment,buttherewillhavetobespecialprovisionfortheelderlyaswellas‘lifetimehomes’.”Therewasalsosomemistrustaroundhowthehousingstatisticsandforecastshadbeenderived.Aproportionofpeoplefounditdifficulttobelievethelevelofhousingrequiredoverthenext30yearsandmore.SomefeltthattheproposalsformixedhighstreetdevelopmentwithhousinginOtterpoolParkwereattractive,butfeltstronglythatexistingplaceslikeFolkestoneneededasimilardesigntreatmentfirst.Severalparticipantsstronglyadvisedthatmorepeople,especiallyyoungerpeople,shouldbesoughtouttomakethemawareoftheproposalsandtoencouragethemtogetinvolvedinshapingthedevelopment.7.3 HealthandwellbeingThechallengeofmaintaininggoodlevelsofaccessiblehealthcareareasmuchofanissueinShepway,astheyareinotherareas.Therewerehighlevelsofconcernexpressedaboutlocalclosures,limitedGPsurgeryhoursatexistingmedicalcentres,andthreatenedchangestohospitalservices.AhighproportionofpeoplefeltthatevenifOtterpoolParkhadanewmulti-servicehealthhubforthewiderarea,findingthemedicalstafftoworkinitwouldbeverydifficult.

“GPsurgeriesareclosingastherearenodoctorstoworkinthem,sowhywouldOtterpoolParkbedifferent.”

Elderlyandacutehospitalcareissues,suchastimelytreatmentforstrokepatients,werespecificallyraisedinrelationtotherecent(temporary)downgradingofCanterburyHospital’sA&EandstrainsontheWilliamHarveyhospital.ThequestionwasaskedseveraltimesastowhetherOtterpoolParkwouldatsomepointhaveitsownhospital.ThepointwasmadethatexpansionoftheUniversityofCanterburywillputfurtherpressureonlocalGPsandthatthisneededtobetakenintoaccountinanyproposalforOtterpoolParkasalarge-scaledevelopment.

BecausetheGPfundingformula(Cahillformula)islessperheadforShepwaythanforadjacentareas,Shepway’sgreater,morecomplexmentalandgeneralhealthissues(relatedtoincomeandemploymentproblems)arenotbeingfullyaddressed.WhilstthisisanissuefortheNHS

CareCommissioningGroup,SDCneedstoworkverycloselywiththeNHStoavoidnewdevelopmentmakingthingsevenworse.

“ThereisalocaldutyofcaretoexistingresidentsthatmustbemetbeforenewcapacityisneededfornewresidentsinOtterpoolPark.”

TherewaslimitedacknowledgementthatseveralexistingGPsurgeriesarenolongerfitforpurposeandthatnew,betterdesignedandequippedcentreswereneeded,withthepotentialforOtterpoolParktoprovidethisinanewhealthhub.Howthiswouldattractandretaintherighttypeofstaffwasagainamatterforconsiderabledebate.

7.4 Business,employmentandeducationThereisconcernthatifexisting,recentlybuiltbusinessdevelopmentsinplacessuchasFolkestoneandAshfordwerenotbeingoccupiedwhywouldtheonesatOtterpoolParkbeanymoresuccessful?AttractingindependentshopsfortheproposednewhighstreetandlocalcentrewouldofferadifferentshoppingexperiencetoFolkestone’s.TherewasconcernthatOtterpoolPark’shighstreetandbusinessunitswouldneedsubsidising,possiblyattheexpenseofHytheandFolkestonebusinesses.“Rentalratesonthehighstreetarerising,peoplecannotkeepupandsmallindependentshopsclose–weneed[thecertaintyof]fixedrates.”Thereweredividedviewsastowhetherandwhatkindsofbusinesseswereneeded.Somelocalssaidthattheydidn’tneednewfacilitiesandwouldn’tusethem,evenifOtterpool’shighstreetandBusinessParkwerebuilt.Otherswereinterestedinthepotentialmixofcommercialunitsanddisappointedthattherewasn’tmoreinformationavailable.Thepotentialtoofferlocalschoolleaverstrainingopportunitieswaswelcomed,butseveralmadethecommentthatoncetrained,youngpeoplepreferredtoworkinLondononhighersalariesandwouldcommuteoutofOtterpoolPark.“Weneedtoseeaneconomicdevelopmentstrategytomitigateriskofcommuterdormitorysettlement.”Thenumberandlocationofpotentialprimaryandsecondaryschoolstoservicethenewdevelopmentwasgenerallyaccepted.Themainconcernswerethatthesewouldnotadverselyimpactthecatchmentforexistingschools.7.5 GreenspaceandenvironmentalqualityOverall,thegreeninfrastructureandlandscapeproposalsweregenerallystronglywelcomed,especiallyinthewaythatpublicopenspacelinkedbycyclistsandpedestrianrouteswouldbeprovided.

ResidentsatBarrowHillwereveryconcernedthatnogreenbufferappearedtobeprovidedfortheircommunity.Thereweresomecommentsaboutthelossofagriculturallandtoprovidewhatwasdescribedasa‘productive,ediblelandscape’notreallymakingsense,whilstothersweremuchmorewelcomingandfeltthatallotmentsshouldbeavailabletoo.Thepotentialtobenefitlocalproducersbyprovidingnewcentrestosellslocalgoodswasfelttobeimportant,especiallywherestrongerlinkscouldbemadewiththefarmingcommunityoftheKentDownsAONB.DespitethemapsavailabletherewassomelimitedconfusionastowhetherornottheareaofsearchandproposeddevelopmentwaswithintheAONBboundary.7.6 TrustandcontrolovertheplanningandconstructionprocessManylocalcommunityparticipantswerestillqueryingwhynewlarge-scaledevelopmentisbeingtargetedinaruralareaonfarmland,ratherthaninotherpartsofShepwayDistrict.TherealsoremainsacoreoflocalresidentswhofeelthatSDC’slandpurchasewasunfairandnottransparent.

Someconsidertheengagementprocesswas“cosmetic”withnotmuchmoreinformationprovidedsincetheDecemberevents,andthatmoreCouncilmembersshouldbepresenttoexplaintherationalefortheproposals.

Therewereargumentsthattheproposalwasclosingthedooronothersites.

Therewasaproposalthatprofitsfromthesaleofnewprivatehousingcouldbeinvestedinaffordableandsocialhousingandotherpublicneeds.

QuestionswerealsoaskedaboutwhoisgoingtomakesurethatOtterpoolParkwouldgetbuilttohighstandards.

GettingtherightspecificationsinplaceandfollowingthroughtomakesurethathighaspirationsforOtterpoolPark’sconstructionstandardsarefullymetwereaconcernforsome.

“Wewouldlikedetailsof,andtounderstand,theprocurementprocessbeforeandduring,notafterthingsgetbuilt”.

SomeparticipantsurgedgreatertransparencyintheplanningprocesswiththelinksbetweentheSDCCoreStrategyandtheplanningapplicationclearlyexplainedinpublic.

Thematterofhowthefinancenecessaryformanagingpublicassetsliketheschools,publicrealmandopenspaceintothelongertermwasraisedbyseveralrespondents.

Theamountofgreenspacebeingproposedwashighlywelcomedbuttherewasconcernaboutwhowouldpayforitinthelongterm.DiscussionabouttheuseandeffectivenessofSection106planningobligationsraisedconcernsabouteffectivefollow-throughatcountyanddistrictlevel.

Thereisanunderstandingthatthedesignprocesswasfarfromcompleteandpeoplewishtoformallyrespondtothefinalmasterplanlayoutonceaformalplanningapplicationwasmadein2018.Therewasalsogeneralacceptancethatthefinaldecisiononanyformalapplication

wouldbemadebythegovernment’sindependentPlanningInspectorandnotSDC.Thesequencingofthedevelopmentindiscretephaseswasbroadlyaccepted,withacceptanceabouttheneedtoalsophaseinservicesandfacilitiesashomesarecompletedandoccupied.Therewere,however,concernsabouthowtoguaranteethatwhatevergetsputforwardformallyasthepreferredmasterplanactuallygetsfixedandnotchangedovertime.TherewassomediscussionaboutothergardentownssuchasLetchworth,wheretheoriginaldesignandlayoutremainsintactseveraldecadeslater.“Whowillmakesuretheplanisguaranteed,whowillbeheldtoaccount?”7.7 ContinuingconsultationandengagementSomeparticipantsexpressedconcernthattheschemefeltpredeterminedandthattheirvoiceheldlittlesway.Theywantedtofeeltheiropinionswererespondedto.Othersadvisedthataproportionoflocalresidentshadavoidedthesessionstoavoidanyheckling.Someofthosewhoattendedwereannoyedbythevociferousobjectionandleftpart-waythroughthepresentationsduetotheconstantinterruptions.(Writtenfeedbacksuggeststhatthepresenceofthelocalobjectorsgroupmayhaveputotherpeopleofffromcomingtothesessions.)“Iwonderifmanypeople…avoidtheOtterpoolParkconsultationsbecausetheyfeelabitside-linedbyotherissuesand‘groups’.Idon’tknow,theremustbeabetterwaytoconnectwiththeactualresidents...”AttendeesattheFolkestoneeventsurgedthatyoungpeopleshouldbemuchmoreinvolvedandactivelyengagedintheconsultationprocess,especiallytheunskilledwhomightbenefitfromtheproposals.Somepeoplesuggestedthatfutureinformationshouldbeprovidedasdoortodoormail-outs,aswellaspostsonparish/residents’socialmediawebpages.Postersandflyersonvillagenoticeboardswouldalsobewelcomed.7.8 ImpactonexistingsettlementsandservicesArecurringthemewastheimpactofanyfuturedevelopmentonexistingplacesandcommunities,whetherinShepwayorevenintoAshford.Thisrangedfromtrafficeffects,toschools,waterandhealthprovision,toshopsandspecialistservicesandeventheinternet.Peoplewantedtounderstandthescaleofdevelopmentandlikelyimpactsoverthesuggestedphasesandfuturedecades,withreassurancesthatanynewdevelopmentwouldnotworsentheexistingsituationforcommunitiesalreadylivinginthearea,andthatkeyimprovementsorupgradeswouldbeinplaceearly,ratherthanasanafterthought.Astrongmessagecomingthroughwasthatlocalcommunitiesshouldnotbeswampedbythedevelopment,orcompletelylosetheiridentities.Inadditiontoinprincipleopposition,therewereviewsthatexistingsettlementsactuallyhadsomethingtogainandthateveryopportunityshouldbetakenbySDCtoensurethatthesecommunitiesweresensitivelyintegratedwithOtterpoolParktotheiradvantage;inorderthattherearemutualbenefits.

8. Stage2EngagementConclusions

OverviewpointsAsinStage1engagementinDecember,mostofthosewhoparticipatedwerefromthevillageswithinandadjacenttothe‘areaofsearch’,orrelativelylocalresidents/organisations,whomaybeimpactedbydevelopmentinsomeway.Overall,some412-peopleattendedtheworkshopanddrop-insessionsandatotalof179feedbackformsandadditionalfollow-upcorrespondencewasreceived.AsthisobviouslyrepresentstheviewsofasmallpercentageofShepwayDistrict’stotalpopulation,wearenotinapositiontoclaimthisisrepresentativeofthewiderdistrictpopulationortheirviews.Session Date&Time Noof

AttendeesNoofAttendeessignedin

Nooffeedbackformsreturned

NationalPolicya&AgencyStakeholderWorkshop

FridayApril21st10.00-3.00

41 41 -

Business&CivicWorkshop1

Wednesday14June14:00–16:30

50 50 39

Business&CivicWorkshop2

Wednesday14June18:00–20:30

17 17 15

Hythe Thursday22June14:00–17:00

94 42 34

Lympne Thursday22June19:00–21:00

90 25 29

RomneyMarsh Friday23June10:00–12:00

Sellindge

Friday23June14:00–17:00

87 43 26

Folkestone Saturday24June10:00–14:00

25 12 10

Onlineorpost DeadlineFriday7July - - 25TOTAL 412 233 179(1)TheengagementprocessThelocalpressuregrouplobbyingagainstthedevelopmentproposalsmateriallyaffectedthenature,feelandoutputfromsomeoftheevents,especiallytheLympnedrop-in.Whilstmanyoftheviewsexpressedinconversationsandfeedbackwerereflectionsofpointsmadebythisgroupofobjectors,therewasaviewexpressedbymanythattheywouldprefertolearnmoreabouttheproposalsina‘lessadversarial’environment.Thisneed,coupledwiththeneedtoobtaintheviewsofyoungerpeoplelivinginShepwayandthoseseekinggreateremploymentopportunities,wasfrequentlymade.Thisdoesnotpre-supposetheviewofthesepeoplebutratherthattherearevoicesandopinionsthatcouldbemorefullyengaged.(2)TheissuesandcontentofagardentownWhilstthosetakingpartintheinformalengagementstagesofthemasterplanningprocessseemedtoappreciatethemapsandplansshowinghowthedesignideasareshapingup,there

wasstillconsiderablefrustrationatthelackofdetailedinformationabouthowthedevelopmentcanbephysicallyaccommodatedwithinthearea.

Theprimaryconcernsexpressedwereabout:

• Thecapacityoflocalroadnetworksacrossthedistricttocopewiththeincreaseintrafficthedevelopmentwouldbring,andhowrailservicesmayinfluencethis;

• Adverseimpactsthatincreaseddemandforwatersupplieswouldhave;• Theimportanceofprovidinglocallyaffordablehomesincludingnewsocialhousing,well

intothefuture,especiallyforyoungpeopleearninglocalsalaries,and;• Adverseimpactsresultingfromincreaseddemandforalreadyover-stretchedhealthand

socialcareservices.• TheoriginandrobustnessofhousingneedforecastsforEnglandandtheShepwayarea

overthecomingdecades,i.e.next10,20,30andeven40to50years.

Becauseofconcernsaboutthepotentialimpactsofagardentownonthelocalenvironment,andtherequestsformore,itisrecommendedthatthenextstageofengagementshouldincorporatetheresultsofthein-progressbaselineassessments.Theresultingreportsandtheconclusionsaboutcapacityfornewdevelopmentshouldideallybemadepubliclyavailableinadvanceofthenextstageofengagement.

(3)Understandingthemasterplanningprocess,frominitialdesigntoplanningapplicationThecurrentandcontinuingprocessisthenon-statutorypre-cursortoaformalapplicationofthepreferredmasterplanapproach.Thereremainsaneedforacomprehensive,highlyaccessibleexplanationoftheplanningprocessforagardentown,frominitialdiscussions,tothedevelopmentofpotentialoptions,throughtohowapreferredoptionwouldentertheformalplanningprocessasafullOutlineApplication.Atwhatpointformalobjectionscanbemadealsoneedstobeexplained,asthisismuchmisunderstood.

Figure11ThemasterplanlayoutbeingdiscussedattheTinTabernacleDrop-Insession,HytheReferencesmadetoothernewdevelopmentsinthearea,andhowthesemayormaynothavedeliveredwhatwaspromised,suggestthatmoreinformationaboutwhatisgoodplanningand

developmentpracticeneedstobemadeavailable.ThisshouldincludethewordingandapplicationofSection106planningconditionsandobligationsandatwhatpointintheplanningprocessthesearesetandlegallytriggered.(4)OtheraspectsofgoingforwardThereareanumberofconcernsandissuesthatsomepeoplewhohaveattendedsofarwantmorefullyaddressed,inparticulararoundmoredetailedinformationaboutwhatwouldworkwellinremedyingconcerns.Thisinformationideallyneedstobemadepubliclyavailableinadvanceoffurtheropportunitiesforpeopletotakepartintheengagementprocess.Forinstance,severalissueswereraisedaroundhealthandsocialcare,inparticular.ItwouldbehelpfultomakeclearhowtheCouncilisworkingwithotherbodiessuchastheNHSCareCommissioningGroup;theKentCountyHighwaysAuthority;theDepartmentforTransportandotherrelevantstakeholdersinaddressingissuesandinformingtheemergingdesignoftheOtterpoolParkproposals.Thenextstageofengagementshouldalsoreflectpeople’srequestsforaccessinginformationon-line,viaFacebookandvillagewebsites.Acomprehensivedistrict-widemailingofinformationtoallhouseholdsandhomesmightbeworthconsidering,includingaskingaboutpreferencesfortakingpartindiscussionsaboutmoredetailedaspectsoftheemergingdesignproposals.Whilstitisdesirabletogainwideviewsfromcommunities,theeventsinNewRomneyandFolkestonewerelesswellattendeddespitebeingpublicisedinthesameway.Itmaybedesirablethereforetoconsiderdiverseapproachesforengagingandinformingpeople,particularlyiftheviewsofabroadercross-sectionofthepopulationoftheareaaretobesought.Effectivefeedbacktolocalcommunitiesontheresultsofthissecondstageoftheengagementprocessshouldalsobebeneficialforallthoseinvolved,goingforward.

AppendixA:NationalPolicyandAgencyStakeholderSpecialism Organisation Waste Management Kent County Council Transport & Development Planning Kent County Council Public Transport Kent County Council Membership Development Kent Coastal CCG Sustainable Development Natural England Planning – Growth, Environment & Transport Kent County Council Sustainable Development Team Natural England Landscape and Urban Design Officer Shepway District Council Biodiversity Kent County Council Area Planning Southern Water Heritage Conservation Kent County Council Planning & Strategic Development Projects Shepway District Council Stakeholder Engagement Southern Water Senior Archaeological Officer Kent County Council Kent County Council Head of Planning Shepway District Council Economic Development Shepway District Council Shepway District Council Group Racing & Property Director Cozumel Estates Principal Transport & Development Planner Kent County Council Network Rail Primary Care Estates South Kent Coast CCG Feasibility Engineer Affinity Water Developer Services – South East Affinity Water Director Kent Downs AONB Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments Historic England Planning Adviser Shepway District Council Primary Care Commissioning Manager Canterbury, Coastal & Ashford CCG Head of Strategic Planning & Policy Kent County Council Planning Manager Kent AONB Planning Adviser Environment Agency Otterpool Park Project Coordinator Shepway District Council Director CPRE Planning Policy Officer Ashford Borough Council Head of Timetable Strategy Southeastern Rail Kent County Council Project Manager – Integrated Commissioning Kent Coastal CCG Planning Policy Manager Shepway District Council Stakeholder Engagement & Account Management UK Power Networks Head of Development Cozumel Estates Drainage Kent County Council

AppendixB:Pressrelease

AppendixC:FeedbackformPage1of3

AppendixD:FeedbackFormAnalysisThefeedbackformforthecivicandbusinessworkshopsandthecommunitysessionscomprisedatotalof15questions,manyofwhichsoughtsimpleyes/no/don’tknowresponses,withothersseekingspecificinformationaboutissues,prioritiesandideasusingopen-endedquestions.Thisformatenabledrespondentstoanswerasbrieflyorasfullyastheywishedwhilstenablingconsistencyintheanalysis.TheformisavailableinfullatAppendixCandcommentsatAppendixE(availableasaseparatedocument)withthesummarisedresultsandanalysisareprovidedinthefollowingsub-sections.Itisimportanttonotethatwhilstpeoplemayhavebeenreticenttovoicetheirconcernsaboutortheirsupportfortheproposals,beingabletocompletetheformmayhaveenabledthemto,morefreelyandanonymouslyiftheyprefer,expresstheirviewsinwriting.Thetotalnumberofcompletedfeedbackformsfromthecivicandbusinessworkshopsandthecommunitydrop-insessionswas179.Thetablebelowshowsthenumberofformsreturnedateachvenue,plusasmallnumbersubmittedlateron-lineorbypost.

Session Date&Time Nooffeedbackformsreturned

Business&CivicWorkshop1 Wednesday14June14:00–16:30 39

Business&CivicWorkshop2 Wednesday14June18:00–20:30 15

Hythe Thursday22June14:00–17:00 34

Lympne Thursday22June19:00–21:00 29

RomneyMarsh Friday23June10:00–12:00 1

Sellindge

Friday23June14:00–17:00 26

Folkestone Saturday24June10:00–14:00 10

Onlineorpost DeadlineFriday7July 25TOTAL 179

Theanalysisofthefeedbackforeachquestionisprovided,withgraphsandchartswhichhelptosummarisethefindings.

Q1.HowdidyoufindoutaboutthisengagementregardingOtterpoolParkGardenTown?

Outof159responsestothisquestion:

• 51respondentssaidtheyreceivedapersonalinvitation–theseweremostlikelytobeattendeestothecivicandbusinessworkshops

• 36heardabouttheeventsbywordofmouth• 30sawthenewspaper/pressdetails• 20readaboutthemviaFacebook• 9sawaposter/flyerand/ordetailsontheinternet• 1heardabouttheeventsthroughradio/TV

Theremaining21respondentssaidtheyfoundoutthroughthefollowingchannels:

• 2throughacouncilinvitation,e.g.parishcouncil,becausetheyareaSellindgeresident• 2fromemailsfromlocalassociations• 2fromtheLympneorvillagenewsletterorlocalparishnewsletter• 2attendeeswerelookingatpurchasingapropertyinthearea

Itisworthnotingthatthepublic,communityengagementeventswereheldatanumberofalternativevenues,duringtheweekandweekendincluding,morning,afternoonandeveningsessions,toenablethegreatestparticipation.However,feedbackwasalsoreceivedfromasmallnumberthateventheseoptionsdidnotprovideenoughflexibilityforthemtoparticipate.

Q2.DidyouparticipateinanyoftheengagementeventsregardingOtterpoolParkinDecember2016?

Outof161responses,83peoplesaidtheyhadattendedapreviousevent,73wereattendingforthefirsttimeandfivepeoplewerenotsureiftheyhadattendedbeforeornot.Q2aIfyes,doyouconsiderthislatestphaserespondstoissuesraisedinDecember?

Of94responsestothisquestion,51respondents(54%)feltthislatestphaseofconsultationdidnotrespondtotheissuesraisedinDecember.Ofthe24respondents(26%)whowerenotsure,somementionedthat“moredetailwasrequired”,probablyreflectingthatthemasterplanlayoutwasindicativeatthisstageandthatseveraltechnicalstudies(traffic,water,etc)haveyettoreport.Othersthoughtthatonlysomeissueswereaddressed,andonepersonsaid,“atleastyouaretrying”.Some19respondents(20%)agreedthatthislatestphaserespondedtotheissuesraisedinDecember.

Q3.Istheinformationclearaboutwhyhomes,employmentopportunitiesandgardentownfacilitiesarerequired?

Outofthe153responses63(41%)peoplewhorespondedsaidthattheinformationwasclear,aboutwhythehomes,employmentopportunitiesandgardentownfacilitieswererequired;79(52%)feltthattheinformationwasnotclear;afurther11respondentswerenotsure.Representativecommentsincluded:

• “itisclearthatthenationneedshousingbutwhydoesithavetobeonthissiteonthisscale?”

• “hasafigureof14,600homesneeded,butnotsurewherethisfigurecomesfrom”,• “believetheyarenotrequiredhereinsuchgreatnumbers”

Q4.IsitclearwhythisareaofShepwayisunderconsiderationforfuturegrowth?

Outofthe150responsestothisquestion,68feltthatitwasclear,73respondentsfeltthatitwasnotclearwhythisareaisunderconsiderationforfuturegrowth.Ninewerenotsure.SomeaskedwhyithastobeOtterpoolPark,othersclaimedtheinformationpresentedwas“oritwas“vague”and“notspecific”enough.Someofthelocaloppositiongroupcommentsagainstdevelopmentwere:“thisdevelopmentisnotneeded”,“itnevershouldhavebeentakentothegovernment”or“thebasisisincoherent”.

Theresultsforthisquestionclearlyshowastrongdichotomyofviewsexpressed.Q5.Doyouconsiderthemasterplanteamtobeconsideringthecorrectrangeofissuesexploringagardentownmasterplan?

Outofthe125responses,justunderhalf(53people)feltthattherightissueswerebeingconsidered,andhalfoftheresponders(62people)feltthatthemasterplanteamwasnotconsideringthecorrectrange,withafurther10notsure.Thisagaindemonstratesastrongdichotomy,similartootherresponses.Whenaskedtoadvisewhatissuesthemasterplanteamshouldbeconsidering,themainthemescomingthroughwere:

• Brownfielddevelopment:somethoughtthatinsteadofbuildingongreenfield,theteamshouldlookatdevelopingbrownfieldsitesandrehabilitatingemptypropertiesfirst.

• Sustainableapproachtoabolddesign-anEco-town:somewantedtheconceptofthegardentowntobemoreambitiousandpushedevenfurtherintoasustainableeco-townthatwouldprovideOtterpoolParkwithauniqueidentity.Thismighthelpmitigatesomeofthecurrentinfrastructureissuessuchaswaterscarcity.

• Deliverabilityoftheproject:Moredetailonthephasinganddeliverabilityofthedevelopmentwasrequestedbyseveral.

• Employmentsustainability:SomeconcernwasexpressedaboutOtterpoolParkprimarilybecomingacommutertownandthatlocalemploymentopportunitiesmustbeprovidedtomitigatethis.

• Amenities,facilitiesandinfrastructure:Somefeltthatcurrentfacilitiesandinfrastructurelikehealthcentres,schools,nurseries,watersuppliesandroadsarealreadysaturatedandwouldnotcopewiththeincreaseinpopulation.Otherssuggestedenhancingandcreatinglinksbetweenthegardentownandthesurroundingvillagestointegratetheseformutualbenefit.

• Consideringthepointofviewoflocalpeople:thosewhoobjecttotheproposedgardentownfeltthattheiropinionwasnotbeingtakenintoconsideration

• Objectingtothedevelopment:themainreasonsforthiswererelatedtobuildingonopenfarmland,orthatthedevelopmentwastoointensive,notneededandnotappropriateforthecharacterofthearea.

Q6.Inyouropinion,whatarethemostpressingthreeissuesinaddressingtheconceptanddeliveryofOtterpoolParkgardentown.Thefollowingkeyissuesraisedwere:

• Betterandimprovedinfrastructurenetworks:water,broadbandandtransportationnetworkswereseenasveryimportant.

• Thesizeandscaleofthedevelopment:Forsome,thenumberofhousesproposedistoomany.Atown-scaledevelopmentwasnotseenasappropriatewithintherurallocalsurroundings.Fewerhousesatlowerdensities(max3storey)wasseenasmoreinkeepingwiththecharacterofthearea.

• Sustainability:amoreecological,carbonneutralapproachwasrequestedbysome.• Facilitiesandamenities:newschools,healthcare(GPSandhospitals),nurseriesareall

needed.• Affordabilityandmixedtenurehousing:ensurethedevelopmentcontainsamixof

tenurebetweensocialhousing,sharedandprivateownership,includinghousesandflatstomeettheneedsofdifferentagegroups.

• Businessandemployment:attractingbusinessesandemploymenttotheareasuchastechindustriesandstart-ups.Thephasingoftheprojectcouldhelptoachievethisandsecuremoresustainablegrowth.ItisimportantnottocreateadormitorytownwherepeoplewillhavetocommutetoLondon.

• Consultingthecommunities:moreconsultationwiththelocalcommunitiesandtakingintoaccounttheiropinionwasrequested.Concernwasexpressed,mainlybylocalcommunitygroups,abouthowthelandwasinitiallyacquired.

• Lossoffarmland,countrysideandwildlife:itwasthoughtthatthedevelopmentwouldresultinthelossoffarmlandandthescaleofitwoulddamagethecountryside,inspiteoftheincreaseingreenspaceandareasforwildlife.

• Deliveryofthemasterplan-themainissueraised,primarilybylocalresidentswashowthemasterplanwouldbedelivered,especiallyaroundwhowouldenduppayingforthepublicrealmandpublicopenspacetobeprovided.Therewereconcerns,againprimarilyfromcommunitymembers,abouttheorderofphasingandhowshopsbuiltinphase1wouldbeabletosurvivewithonlyasmallstart-upcommunity;businessviabilitywasseenasanissue.Thetimescalefordeliverywasqueried,possiblywithinthecontextofrecentdevelopmentsthathadfailedtodeliverenoughaffordablehousingorinfrastructure;wouldwhatwasplannedactuallygetbuilt?Somehadconcernsaboutdelaysandlegaldifficultiesinbringinganyworthwhiledevelopmenttofruition.

• Greenareasandopenspace–overalltheamountofnewgreenspacewasseenasabenefitbymany,butconcernsabouthowitwouldbemanagedandbywhom,werecommon.

• Carparking–gettingcarparkinglevelsrightforthestationandnewtowncentrewereseenascritical,tomeetneedswithoutencouragingcommuterparkingwhichwouldaddtopressuresonlocalroads.

• Lorryholdingarea–thereisstillmuchconcernastowhetherthiswillgoaheadandwhatimpactitwillhavewithout,butespeciallyifOtterpoolalsogoesahead.

Q7.IsthereanythingelseyouparticularlywelcomeorsupportintheapproachtoOtterpoolPark?

Outofthe153responses,55(36%)saidtheywelcomedandsupportedtheapproach,89responders(58%)didnot,whilst9wereunsure.Thisresultpossiblyreflectsthenumbersandviewsofthoseattendingthecivicandbusinessworkshops,whoweregenerallymorepositive,andthelargernumbersofpeopleattendingthecommunitysessionsatwhichtherewasmoreopposition.Thosewhowelcomedandsupportedtheapproachprovidedthefollowingcomments:

• Thisisanopportunitytobeinnovative:itisanexcitingdevelopment• Mixofuses:integrationofbusinessesandresidential,usinginsulatingconcrete

framework(ICF)andmodulardesigntocreateanewHighStreetwithamixofuses.• Greenspaces:thegreenspaceswereverywelcomeandtherewasalotofsupportfor

havingagreenspace-leddesign.• Thisisasoundconceptwiththoughtfuldesign:Severalappreciatedthedesign,for

example,thenewwoodlandandtheimprovedapproachtothecastle,seenasalocalassetofhighhistoricinterestanddeservingofanimprovedsetting.Thesustainableurbandrainagesystem(SUDS)designwasalsowelcomedasameansofimprovingsurfacewatermanagementinbothwetanddryseasonalconditions.

• HS1andtransportinfrastructure:wasseenasattractingnewemployeestoliveinOtterpool,includingthosewhowouldnotbereliantondriving,i.e.providingopportunitiestowalk,cycleandusepublictransport.

• Effectivecommunicationofoptions:arequestforregularcommunicationaboutthedevelopingideasforlayoutandphasingofalltypesofinfrastructuretobeprovided.

• Addressinglong-termhousingneeds:thiswasseenasveryimportant,especiallyforyoungerpeopleandthoseonlowerincomes.

Forthosewhowerelesssupportiveoftheapproach,commentsincluded:

• Notaddressingthelocalviewandoppositiontotheproject:someconsideredthattheissuesraisedinDecemberhadnotbeenaddressed.

• Nodevelopment:“Idonotwelcomeanydevelopment”,“NoOtterpool”werecommonstatementsmadebythosewhomoststronglyopposetheproposition.

• Considerpublicservices:particularlyhealth,policingandsocialcare.• Thedevelopmentwouldnotachievethe“benefits”:especiallyinrelationtocreating

newjobs,i.e.itmightpossiblyprovideemploymentforasmallfractionofnewresidents,buttherestwouldhavetocommute.

• Smallerscaledevelopmentwouldbemoreacceptable:alargeproportionofthosemostopposeddonotbelievethescaleofdevelopmentisnecessaryordesirable.

• Createagreen-bufferzone:SeveralrespondentsexpressedconcernthatBarrowHillespeciallyhasnogreenbuffershownontheindicativemasterplan.“itisabsolutelycrucialthatthisland/allofthefieldismaintainedasagreenbuffer,eitherbeingmaintainedasfarmlandoraprotectedareafornature.Thislandishometomanyspeciesofwildlife,notablyincludinghares,badgersandtwospeciesofraretotheUKbirdsofprey.”

Q8.IsthereanythingelsethatparticularlyconcernsorworriesyouabouttheapproachtoOtterpoolPark?

Outofthe142responses,115responders(81%)expressedconcernsandworriesabouttheapproach,20responders(14%)werenotconcernedandseven(5%)werenotsure.Theareasofconcernwere:

• Howthelandwasacquired:manycommunityrespondentsfeltmisledaboutthereasonforSDCacquiringthelandwithintheareaofsearch.

• Developmentoffarmlandinsteadofbrownfieldsites:somebelievethisdevelopmentdoesnotbelongtotheareabecauseofthedestructionof‘valuable’farmlandandthatnewdevelopmentshouldbeprioritisedonbrownfieldsites.

• Theprojectbeingacommercialdevelopment:whethermanylocaldevelopersandarchitectswillbeapproachedratherthanthelargercompanies,plusconcernaboutthedevelopmentofthesitetosimplymaximiseprofitstobenefitaminorityattheexpenseofthemajority.

• Infrastructureimpact:theconcernisthatalargedevelopmentwilloverloadthealreadystretchedinfrastructureincludingroads,water,drainage,internetandwastesystemsplustheimpactofconstructionlorriesaddingtootherlorrytraffic,especiallyafterBrexit

• Engagementwiththeyoungergeneration:engagementwithyoungpeopleneedstobeconductedsincetheywillbetheonestolivethere.

• Inadequateresponsestothosewhoopposethedevelopment.Thosewhomoststronglyopposethedevelopmentfeelthattheirviewsarebeingignored,“Shepwaycouncil’srefusaltodirectlyseekamandatefortheprojectfromlocalresidents”.

• Deliveryofthegardentown:thefinancingofthedevelopmentandthebuildingworkaroundresidentialareas“willresultin15to30yearsofconstruction”inadditionto

howwelltheprojectwillintegratewiththesurroundingneighbourhoodandvillages.SomewereconcernedaboutthelackofclarityonwhatShepwaywantstoachievefromthisproject(visionandobjectives).Theuncertaintyinrelationtotheproposedstartdate.Moreinformationabouttheprojecttimescalewasdemanded.

• Densityandscaleoftheproject:heightofhousingat6storeys[proposedforthenewtowncentre]wasdeemedtoohigh.Furthermore,thesurroundingareasareallrural,sobuildingatowninthisruralsettingwasanissueforsome.Therewasconcernabouttheproximityofthedevelopmenttothesurroundingvillagesandtowns,suchasHythe.

• Employmentopportunities:ItwasthoughtthattherewouldbefewemploymentopportunitieswithinthedevelopmentandthatmostpeoplewillbecommuterstoLondon.

• Housingtypeandnumbersneeded:thedevelopmentwillnotprovidethekindofhousingneededforthearea.

• Buffer/greenzone:nogreenbufferzonetoprotectexistingpropertiesonBarrowHillfromurbanizationandnewdevelopment.

Q9.DoyouthinktherearekeyemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesassociatedwithOtterpoolPark?

Outofthe140responses,64(46%)believedthedevelopmentwouldnotprovidekeyemploymentopportunities,however46people(33%)answeredyesandwereoftheviewthatnewopportunitieswouldbecreatedwhilst30(21%)werenotsure.Thekeyemploymentandbusinessopportunitiessuggestedwere:

• Businessstart-ups• Technologyledinitiatives• LeisureandHospitability:bars,restaurants,pubs• Retail–HighStreet:shops• Manufacturers• Servicerelated:Doctors• Marineengineering• Educational:Universitycollegeofthesea,schools,apprenticeships• Greenandbiotechcompanies• Lightindustries

Typeandsizeofbusinesssuggested:• Youthemployment• Homeworking• Variedbusinesssizes• Businesspark• Offices• Smallindependentbusinesses(makingsuretheygetaccessandnotbepushedawayby

bigbusiness)Tenureandschemesuggested:

• Long-termownership• Buy/sharescheme

Amenitiessuggested:

• Bettercommunicationandqualityhighspeedbroadbandwasseenascritical.• ProximitytoM20,J11andgoodpublictransportseenasbeneficialforbusiness• Visitorandworkerparking• Goodinfrastructure

Othercomments:

• Locationofbusiness• AttractLondoners(youngcouples/singlepeople)• Aruraltown• Engagementwithbusinesscommunitiesneeded.• Nocommutertown!• Istheamountofbusinessessuggestedtoolittleforthistypeofdevelopment?• RequirementforacoreemployertobebasedatOtterpoolforittobeviable.• Localbusinessesshouldbenefitmost

Q10.IsaccesstoanetworkofgreenspacesatOtterpoolParkimportantinyouropinion?

Outofthe125responses,alargemajorityof100responders(80%)thoughtthatgreenspacesareveryimportant,19responders(15%)answerednoandonlysix(5%)werenotsure.

Forthosewhorepliedno,thecommentswere:• Notjustafewtrees,useofspaceandhelpingtheenvironment“green”alsomeans

recycling,wastemanagementandenergygeneration–solar,wind.Insulation• Forsometheareaisalreadygreenwhichwillberuinedbythisdevelopment

Q11.Fromwhatyouhaveseenandheardsofar,wouldyouconsideranyofthefollowingoptions...

Options

YES NODON’TKNOW

LivinginOtterpoolPark 18% 73% 9%VisitingOtterpoolParkforleisure 33% 54% 14%WorkinginOtterpoolPark 19% 71% 10%UsingservicesinOtterpoolPark 30% 53% 17%OpeningabusinessinOtterpoolPark 17% 73% 10%Themajorityofrespondentswerenegativeaboutlivingandworkingin,orvisitingOtterpoolParkatthisstage,thoughsomeenvisagedusingitforleisureorservices.Thismaybereflectiveofthestrongdichotomyinviewsbetweenthosepeopleattendingthecommunitysessionsandthoseattendingthecivicandbusinessworkshops.

Q12.Pleaserankthefollowingtransportprojectslistedbelow,intermsofwhatyouthinkarethemostimportantelementsofanaccessandtravelstrategyforOtterpoolPark(where1=mostimportant,5=leastimportant)

Localhighwayimprovementswereoverwhelminglycitedasthemostimportantelementtobeprovidedastheseareconsideredtobepressing,evenwithouttheOtterpoolParkproposals.Aclosesecondwasimprovementstomotorwayjunctionsandmainhighwayconnectionstoalleviatepotentialcausesoffurthercongestion.ImprovedfacilitiesandservicesatWestenhangerRailStationwerelistedathirdoverallinorderofimportant.Frequentbusservicesconnectingtonewtowncentreandrailstationwerenotseenasveryimportantandwalkingandcyclingwereseenastheleastimportantatthisstagedespitethisbeingstronglypromotedasapositiveaspectofthemasterplan.Theresultsmostprobablyreflecttheexistingsituationinthatthemajorityofpeoplelivinginthisruralareacurrentlyaccessmostservicesandplacesbycarasthemostconvenientformoftransport.Q13.Pleasenameonesocial,community,businessorrecreationalfacilitywouldyouliketoseeprovidedasapriorityatOtterpoolParkSocial:

• Towncentre• Accesstogreenspaces,parks• Affordablehomes,councilhomes

Community:

• Healthcentre,hospital,doctorssurgerywithGPs• DementiaVillage• Carehome• Schools• Communityeventplace,communitycentre

Business:• Employmenttheme-i.e.techrelated/artistic• Attractingbusinessthatwillemployhigherpaidemployees• Modernflexiblebusinessspace• Farmingtocontinue• Businessstart-upcentre-Lowcostandeasylowprocessavailability• Smallbusinessunits

Recreational:

• Aheritagepark(Westenhangerandgreatpark)reinstatementofthedeerpark/forestetc,plusavisitorcentre,anaturepark

• Aleisurecomplexcentrewithsports/waterfacilities,aparkandrestaurants• Sportsfacilities,tennisclub,swimmingpool• Cinema,theatre,art/concerthall• Freerecreationalfacilitiesforyoungpersonsandteenagersandchildren’splayareas• Quality,wellmaintainedoutdoorspace• Runningtrailwithoutcrossingaroad• Cycleroutes,mountainbiketracks• Restaurants,pubs• Horseracing

Infrastructure:

• SlowerroadonA20!Nolorries.Onekeycommentreceivedwas“Needtofindsomethingnobodyhaslocally,e.g.majorconference/hotelcentreperhapsasnonelocally,especiallygiventheproximitytothecontinent.Shepwayneedstodecideifitisgoingtodosomethinginnovativeornormal[conventional]intermsofdevelopmentespeciallyasitownssome[ofthe]land”.Thosemostopposedtotheprojectwrote“Nonewtown”,“nodevelopment”,“notneeded”,“Nothingbutfarming”Q14.DoyouwishtobekeptinformedoffurtherdevelopmentsintheplansandproposalsforOtterpoolPark?

Outofthe140responderswhoprovidedtheirname,114people(82%)wouldliketobekeptinformed,20people(14%)donotwanttobekeptinformedandsixwerenotsure.Q15.Wouldyoubewillingtobepartofa"pilotcommunity"testingthefunctionalityofOtterpoolPark,tohelpoptimiseitsuseforresidents,business,andlocalservices?

Outofthe132responses,apromisingmajorityof64people(49%)wouldliketobepartofa“pilotcommunity”,56people(42%)donotwanttobeinvolvedand12(9%)werenotsure.

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