A KEY step to bring forward the start of building for the Otterpool Park garden town is to be discussed by Folkestone and Hythe councillors.
The council has been working with the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, to reach a Collaboration Agreement between the two organisations.
This six-month agreement will give the council access to the additional skills and expertise necessary to attract the level of investment required to deliver a development the size of Otterpool Park.
A report to the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (11 December) states that the main focus of the organisations will be on the delivery of the first 8,500 homes with community, commercial, educational, retail and recreational uses for which outline planning permission was agreed in April 2023.
Prior to the meeting, Council Leader Cllr Jim Martin said: “This is excellent news for Otterpool Park and for the district as a whole.
“Projected financial returns from Otterpool Park underpin the council’s longer term financial strategy, aiming to improve the financial sustainability of the council and provide a long-term source of income to reinvest in the district and improve services for all residents.”
The council owns or has options on 90% of the land needed to deliver Otterpool Park. Homes England has a 10% land holding.
It was agreed last year that continuing to fund Otterpool Park to levels previously agreed was a risk for the council. Cabinet then agreed that the council explore partnership options and reduce that risk.
Otterpool Park LLP, set up in May 2020 to deliver the project, will continue to have a role in leading collaboration activity under the direction of the council.