Along with the homes we’re proposing for Otterpool Park, we must consider how the residents (both new and existing) will get from A to B, how we will connect Otterpool Park with existing communities and we need to think about the impact of extra traffic on rural roads in the area. We’ve been working with Kent County Council, Highways England and other transport operators to do this. How will people get to the different areas of Otterpool Park? This map […]
Water shortage is a key challenge in east Kent, and across the country. The Environment Agency has warned in a recent report, ‘The State of the Environment: Water Resources’ that unless we as a country do more to save water, we’ll see significant supply issues by the 2050s, particularly in the South East. Emma Howard Boyd, chairwoman of the Environment Agency, has said: “Industry must innovate and change behaviours in order to reduce demand and cut down on wastage – […]
People across East Kent are being invited to another public event to find out the latest about plans for Otterpool Park. Hundreds of residents have already given their views, which have helped shape the proposals that will be on display at Westenhanger Castle on Wednesday 20 June between 2pm and 8pm. The drop-in exhibition will be an opportunity for people to see and hear more about the plans for the proposed garden town, and give their views ahead of the […]
The remains of what is thought to be a Roman villa have been discovered by archaeologists at the Otterpool Park site. The team uncovered the remains last week and are now carefully exploring the area. The discovery was made by archaeology, planning and design consultants who are working with landowners Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Cozumel Estates on proposals for the garden town. Work is ongoing to find out exactly what the remains are and how old they are, […]
Kate Clover, Senior Archaeological Consultant at Arcadis One of the most fascinating – and important – aspects of the Otterpool Park project has been the investigation of the site’s heritage. Research into the area’s history has not only dug up some interesting facts (did you know that Henry VIII used to hunt in the ancient woodland that once covered East Kent?) but is playing a key part in our plans. We’ve identified buildings, historic monuments and landscape features that make […]
The framework masterplan for Otterpool Park – a proposed garden town near Folkestone in Kent – has been published, unveiling dynamic proposals for investment in high-quality homes, jobs, green space, services and facilities that will serve the area for decades to come. The proposals address the desperate need for housing locally and create exciting new opportunities for residents by making connections between communities, with businesses and education providers, and with the rest of the UK and beyond. The garden town […]
By Aydin Zorlutuna, Landscape and Green Infrastructure for Otterpool Park One of the most significant features of the Otterpool Park proposals is the outdoor space. Kent is, after all, the Garden of England and the garden town principles that are guiding our plans highlight the importance of the landscape in providing all sorts of benefits to individuals and communities. There are many components that together will form the Otterpool Park landscape, with each element enhancing the overall picture – a […]
Otterpool Park’s design team has released details of its landscape proposals for the garden town. The Landscape Architecture team at consultancy Arcadis, are considering putting forward three primary public open green spaces for Otterpool Park. All three spaces would be linked together, either directly or via green corridors. The first, currently known as Castle Park, would provide a landscape setting to Westenhanger Castle, and be closely linked with the proposed town centre ‘hub’ and Westenhanger rail station. Castle Park would […]
Rebecca Kearney, Project Manager for Otterpool Park, Arcadis Design and Consultancy shared the platform with Dr Susan Priest, Corporate Director – Strategic Development at Shepway District Council Representatives of the construction industry, from builders to business services, gathered at the Kent Construction Expo in Maidstone last month to hear about Otterpool Park, highlighting flexible employment opportunities and ecology as key considerations. As work continues to develop the masterplan for Otterpool Park, the team of designers, planners, architects and technology experts […]
For school leavers, finding a job or an apprenticeship to suit their skills and circumstances in the local area is high on the agenda. The annual Folkestone Jobs Fair organised by Damian Collins MP at the end of September provided the perfect opportunity for these young people to meet with companies from the district offering jobs, apprenticeships and training. Representatives of the Otterpool Park project team were on hand at the Jobs Fair to talk to job seekers from the […]