Dover District Council’s advisory group, the Local Development Framework (LDF), met at the Council Offices on 30 March 2006.

The areas in Whitfield that were carried forward for further investigation at the meeting are for 2900 to 3700 dwellings in an 84 hectare site to the east and north of Whitfield in open countryside adjacent to Newlands, Archers Court Road, Cranleigh Drive, Farncombe Way, Beauxfield, Napchester Road, Church Whitfield and for 186 to 239 dwellings in an 5.3 hectare site adjacent to Old Park.

Two further sites, for 260 to 350 dwellings adjacent to Singledge Lane and Green Lane and for 263 to 338 dwellings adjacent to Green Lane, Nursery Lane and Lenacre Avenue, have been put on hold by the meeting until access issues can be resolved. Reports have since been received by Whitfield Action Group that an independent developer is now interested in these sites and is optimistic that the access problems can be resolved with the Highways Agency.

If the higher options were taken up the population of the village would increase by 205% (from 4438 to 13530) and would see an extra 4800 cars on our already congested roads.

High-density housing and growth of this scale will bring with it a range of social, economical and environmental issues. House values will be dramatically reduced and the area will be disrupted by a possible 20 year building site.

Dover District Council originally wanted up to 14,200 new homes to initiate economic regeneration in the area. This is contrary to Kent County Council’s Core Strategy in their response to the Draft South East Plan in April 2005 which states that "The approach should be one of growth in the economy and investment in infrastructure leading the process of change rather than a narrow emphasis on a step change in housing supply."

Whitfield Action Group does not oppose new homes - in fact we would encourage the building of needed and justifiable properties in areas that are suitable, people have a right to a home and a good quality of life. There are certainly enough brown-field sites and infill sites to supply houses for many years and in turn these will meet the demand without the need for developing the green fields that surround Whitfield.

For further more detailed information please phone Mr Mike Ebbs (Forward Planning Manager) on (01304) 872472 or write to Mr M Ebbs, Forward Planning Manager at Dover District Council, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover CT16 3JP.