Alternative Sites
Building new homes should not come at the expense of valuable countryside if more suitable alternatives exist. National planning policy encourages the effective use of previously developed land wherever possible, helping to protect agricultural land, wildlife and the character of rural communities. Residents believe all realistic alternative sites should be fully assessed before greenfield land north of Cockreed Lane is considered for development.
Brownfield First
Previously developed land should always be considered before building on greenfield sites. Redeveloping disused or underused land can provide much-needed homes while reducing pressure on valuable countryside and agricultural land.
Every Site Should Be Compared
Planning decisions should compare all realistic options rather than considering a single proposal in isolation. Factors such as environmental impact, infrastructure, accessibility and sustainability should be assessed to determine which locations are most appropriate for development.
Protecting Greenfield Land
Once greenfield land is developed, it is rarely returned to its original state. Protecting open countryside helps safeguard wildlife, productive farmland and the rural landscape for future generations while encouraging the reuse of land that has already been developed.
What the Developer Says
“The site comprises… agricultural land.”
The consultation clearly acknowledges that this is agricultural land. Before productive countryside is lost, residents believe it is reasonable to ask whether previously developed or underused land could meet housing needs instead.
“Bounded on 3 sides by existing housing.”
Being surrounded by existing housing does not automatically make a site the best option for development. The key question is whether this location is preferable to other available sites once environmental, agricultural and infrastructure impacts have all been considered.
“The land is then sold for the highest possible return.”
Catesby Estates explain that their role is to secure planning permission before selling land to maximise its value. While this is a legitimate commercial model, planning decisions should ultimately be based on what is best for the community and the environment, rather than the financial value of a particular site.
“Land promotion and infrastructure delivery.”
The role of a land promoter is to identify sites that may be suitable for development and promote them through the planning system. That makes independent scrutiny especially important, ensuring every proposal is assessed objectively and that alternative sites are given fair consideration.
Fact Check
✓ The Council’s housing evidence showed that extant planning permissions and sites already under construction could deliver approximately 4,499 homes across the district. Even after applying a 5% non-delivery allowance, this still equated to around 4,274 homes.¹
✓ The Council identified allocated development sites capable of delivering a further 1,703 homes that did not yet have planning permission.¹
✓ The Core Strategy Review includes an allowance for approximately 1,425 homes to come forward on ‘windfall’ sites—previously unidentified sites that become available over time.¹
✓ Folkestone & Hythe maintains a Brownfield Register containing previously developed sites suitable for housing. It includes brownfield sites with planning permission that have not yet been built, together with sites allocated in the Local Plan.²
✓ Government regulations require councils to identify and maintain a register of suitable previously developed (brownfield) land to encourage its redevelopment for housing.²
✓ Around 27,200 brownfield sites have been identified across England, covering almost 30,000 hectares.³
✓ Brownfield housing capacity increased by 16% in a single year, demonstrating that brownfield land is a continually renewing resource.³
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