1. Congestion overload

The roads leading to & from the proposed development are ‘B’ roads – i.e. country lanes. Even with the suggested additional road improvements at Coxheath/Boughton Monchelsea, the area clearly cannot cope with 10,000 more vehicle movements a DAY. Traveling within Maidstone Borough is quickly becoming unbearable to most – our surveys back this up.

2. A step too far

Marden is, according to Maidstone Borough Council’s Local Plan, an “ancient village with many historic buildings”. According to their planning policy (HE1), development proposals should be “designed to reflect the existing character of the village, both visually and functionally”. Could a “new town” of high-density housing bolted onto the village possibly reflect this – no.

3. It’s not about NIMBYism

Marden has already seen over 500 new dwellings built in 4 years. Many who oppose this ‘garden settlement’ proposal live in new builds within the village. We are NOT against any development full-stop, but are opposed over-development and encroachment. The size and scale is unprecedented – 2,000 new dwellings will double the size of Marden village.

4. Not a ‘garden village’

According to the government’s own guidelines, “garden villages” like the proposed are NOT meant to be extensions of existing settlements. The plans clearly show the proposal being crudely abutted onto the top of the village. The land to the north of Marden should remain as Grade 2/3a arable farmland – not be turned into another Kings Hill.

5. We’ll win this fight

Proposed “garden settlements” ARE being rejected across the UK. There is hope – Walton, Chester, Frome, Sittingbourne, Scunthorpe and various other proposals all rejected within the past 12 months alone… For every new development that is approved, many more are rejected. Together we can fight this, but we need YOUR help.