The first phase of a 214 home development on agricultural land in Minster is now ‘well underway’ says developer David Wilson Homes, with 40% of the foundations laid and full building works due to start over the coming months.
The Roman Walk development is for 133 properties – 40 of which will be affordable housing.
Outline planning permission for the scheme was granted permission in September 2021 despite councillors’ concerns over traffic, school places, adequate medical facilities, sewage and water capacity and the number of houses on the site.
Some 49 letters of objection from the public were also received with concerns including the loss of Grade 1 agricultural land, loss of habitat, traffic congestion and overlooking.
The total application area is 34.67 acres, with residential development and associated open space and services on approximately 32.27 acres and a reserve site of 2.40 acres proposed for the future extension to Minster Cemetery.
An application for an additional 36 homes as phase 2b has been submitted to Thanet council by David Wilson Homes but a decision on that is yet to be made.
David Wilson Homes are carrying out the first phase at the northern area of the site which will be accessed via a new junction onto Tothill Street.
The detailed layout of development, its scale and appearance, and the landscaping was approved by councillors in June 2023.
Amendments included options for retaining the bridleway and hedgerow rather than infilling; height reduction on properties backing onto Fairfield Road and an increase in one bed flats from two to six. There will also be eighteen 2-bed houses, seventy-two 3-bed houses, and thirty-five 4-bed houses.
David Wilson Kent says it is assisting Thanet District Council to meet housebuilding targets in the area. In 2023 the council set out a revised housing target to buy or build at least 400 new affordable homes by 2027 with 10% of that target being achieved at Roman Walk.
The site has been named ‘Roman Walk’ in a nod to the Roman road running adjacent to the development.
The 133 homes will be made up of one to five-bedroom homes, with a mixture of tenures.
David Wilson Homes says the site has passed the ‘Building for Healthy Life’ accreditation, a voluntary Design Code created to create, encourage and enhance new and growing neighbourhoods. This includes 12 criteria to determine well-designed street spaces, public transport and facilities and services to offer a higher quality of life to residents.
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director for David Wilson Kent, said: “We are committed to building high quality housing for a mix of tenures in Kent and are particularly proud to expand our relationship with Thanet District Council once again in assisting with their housebuilding targets.
“We have a robust relationship with the council, working together to provide Discount Market Sale (DMS) and homes on the Kickstart Scheme, offering affordable avenues for local buyers, at our Spitfire Green development in Ramsgate.
“Roman Walk has also been designed with wellbeing and nature in mind, acquiring the highest level of ‘Building For a Healthy Life’ accreditation, offering longevity as we build new communities. Whenever we build in new areas, we are dedicated to not only supplying houses, but also giving back to the local community through Section 106 commitments to help with education, highway works and local amenities.
“Due to the site’s proximity to Kent’s coastal region which has excellent amenities, transport links and a frothy buyers’ market, we expect high interest both off and on-plan over the next few months during our official launch.”
The development will be launched later this year. For details go to www.dwh.co.uk.
The further application for 36 properties, bringing the development to 250, awaits a planning decision. Several objections have been lodged to the proposal which include concerns of overcrowding and water/sewage capacity.
The Thanet Local Plan, approved in 2020, allocated the land off Tothill for 250 properties.
The documents can be viewed on Thanet council’s planning portal reference F/TH/23/1475
