December 1st 2024.
The community that is at the heart of Prince William's plans has recently shared their thoughts after learning about his proposal to build 2,500 homes on nearby land. Despite months passing since the initial announcement, residents are still actively opposing the plans for a new "sustainable" community. As the head of the Duchy of Cornwall, Prince William revealed earlier this year his desire to build thousands of homes on 320 acres of historic farmland in Kent. This plot of land was acquired by the Duchy in 1999 and is located to the south-east of Faversham.
Although the plans were submitted in April, after an initial backlash, the residents have remained firm in their stance against the proposal. The Duchy's estates director, Ben Murphy, responded to the initial criticism by stating, "We wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't wanted." However, the residents have made it clear that they do not want the development to take place. They continue to fight to protect hundreds of acres of Kentish farmland from being transformed into what some have referred to as "Poundbury 2."
The proposed homes would be replacing much of the existing farmland in the area, as shown in the digital plans that have been shared online. These plans depict rows of brick homes in the new development, while the farmland is portrayed as an open pitch in the online proposals. Ann Furedi, chairwoman of the Faversham Society, has been living in Faversham for around 30 years and is deeply invested in preserving the town's heritage. She shared, "This is an issue that divides the community. The majority of people, I would say, are very much against building on greenfield sites." She also added that the town plan has already identified sites within the town that could be developed, but the government's housing targets do not take into consideration the unique characteristics of each community.
Faversham is a small town, and many residents have moved there to enjoy a quieter, family-oriented lifestyle. Furedi explained, "Faversham works as a small town because it is a small town. People move here because they want a small town family life." She also mentioned the shortage of housing in London and how these new homes may not necessarily meet the needs of the local community. David Mairs, a member of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, echoed this sentiment by stating, "We don't object to housing. Everyone needs to live in a home, but it needs to be done in a measured way that sticks to some kind of system."
The proposed project, if approved, will include at least 875 affordable homes, with a minimum of 400 allocated for social rent to combat homelessness in the area. The plans also prioritize green space and air quality, with new grounds for Faversham Football Club and the demolition and replacement of the Faversham Cricket Club. Additionally, there will be orchards, allotments, meadows, and wooded cycle paths. The area will also be powered by 100% renewable energy.
There have also been discussions about the financial aspect of this project, with some questioning how much profit Prince William will make from the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy is already valued at £1.2 billion, and this new development could potentially add to its worth. However, there have been debates about the Duchy's tax exemptions, as it is a private company and does not have to pay certain taxes. Former MP Noman Baker has expressed his concerns, stating, "They don't pay proper tax, and they make a lot of money out of it, which other developers couldn't do. So they have an advantage over everyone else. Once again, it's the Royal Family making a lot of money and not paying their taxes properly, and the public suffering as a consequence."
The South East Faversham project was initially announced when King Charles was still in charge of the Duchy. It has been in the works for the past six years and was taken over by Prince William upon his succession. As discussions and debates continue, it is clear that the community is divided on the issue, with some supporting the development and others firmly against it. The future of this proposed "sustainable" community remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: the residents of Faversham will continue to fight for what they believe is best for their town and its heritage.
The residents of the community at the center of Prince William's plans have voiced their opinions after it was announced that he intends to construct 2,500 homes on land close to them. Despite William's proposal being revealed several months ago, the fight against it continues among the locals.
The Duchy of Cornwall, of which Prince William is the head, disclosed earlier this year their plans to build thousands of homes on 320 acres of historic farmland in Kent. This plot of land, acquired by the Duchy in 1999, is earmarked for the development. However, the proposal was only submitted in April of this year, with the aim of addressing the ongoing housing crisis and creating an "ideal town."
Initially, there was a backlash from the community when the plans were first announced seven months ago. In response, the Duchy's estates director, Ben Murphy, assured that the project would not be pursued if it was not wanted. However, the residents have made it clear that they still do not want it. They have continued their fight to preserve the hundreds of acres of Kentish farmland from being turned into what some have dubbed "Poundbury 2," as the application progresses through the planning process.
The proposed homes would replace a significant portion of the farmland in the area. Digital plans shared online reveal rows of brick homes in the new development, while the farmland is portrayed as an open pitch in the online plan proposals. Ann Furedi, a 64-year-old chairwoman of the Faversham Society, moved to the town 30 years ago to start a family after living in London. She shared her thoughts on the matter, saying, "This is an issue that divides the community. The majority of people, I would say, are very much against building on greenfield sites."
She further added, "There's a strong sense that we should not build on local farmland - and that, of course, includes the site here. The town plan has identified some sites within the town that I think people would like to see developed, but these top-down government housing targets pay no attention to the specific characteristics of local communities. Faversham works as a small town because it is a small town. People move here because they want a small town family life."
Furedi also addressed the issue of housing shortage, stating that there is a particular shortage of homes in London. However, she believes that the proposed houses being built in the area are far beyond the local need. She further explained, "The idea is that somehow these houses that are being built around here are clearly way over and above any sense of local need."
David Mairs, who works with the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to preserve rural country areas, expressed his concerns over the agricultural land that would be used for the development. He said, "We don't object to housing. Everyone needs to live in a home, but it needs to be done in a measured way that sticks to some kind of system."
If the project is approved, it will include at least 875 affordable homes, organized around "ancient footpaths and landscape." Additionally, a minimum of 400 homes will be allocated for social rent to address homelessness in the area. With a focus on green space and air quality, the plans also involve creating new grounds for the Faversham Football Club and replacing the Faversham Cricket Club. Orchards, allotments, meadows, and wooded cycle paths will also be part of the development, which will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
There have been questions raised about the financial benefits of this project for Prince William. The Duchy of Cornwall is already worth £1.2 billion, and if the development in Faversham is approved, it could further increase William's finances. The Duchy previously made £800,000 a year by leasing out industrial land in the West Midlands, and they own land across the UK. As a private company, they are not required to pay corporation or capital gains tax, which has sparked a debate with the Public Account Committee in Parliament. Former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker stated, "They don't pay proper tax, and they make a lot of money out of it, which other developers couldn't do. So they have an advantage over everyone else. Once again, it's the Royal Family making a lot of money and not paying their taxes properly, and the public suffering as a consequence."
It is worth noting that the development in South East Faversham was announced when King Charles was still in charge of the Duchy. The project had been in the works for six years before William took over. David Mairs, the press officer at the Kent branch of CPRE, emphasized the importance of protecting the countryside and developing in a controlled manner. He said, "We don't object to housing. Everyone needs to live in a home, but it needs to be done in a measured way that sticks to some kind of system."
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