Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening?

Croudace Homes is bringing forward proposals for around 45-55 new homes as a sensitive extension to the Hermitage Park development. A public engagement event is taking place on Saturday 15th November to showcase our emerging ideas, gather feedback, and listen to local views before any planning application is submitted.

The site forms a natural extension of the existing Hermitage Park development, occupying a parcel of land currently used as a redundant former commercial orchard. It is enclosed by existing residential areas within both Maidstone and Tonbridge & Malling Boroughs and sits within the Palace Wood ward, adjoining the Aylesford South and Ditton ward boundary.

Maidstone Borough Council currently cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, which means the borough is not building enough homes to meet local needs. This site is:

  • Already enclosed by development
  • Within walking distance of public transport, shops and services
  • Outside flood risk or heritage designations
  • Immediately adjacent to existing infrastructure like the Hermitage Park Community Centre

 

It provides an opportunity to deliver well-designed new homes in a sustainable location, with strong planning justification and local benefits.

This scheme will:

  • Deliver around 40 new homes, including 40% affordable housing (shared ownership and affordable rent)
  • Enhance local biodiversity through extensive planting, open spaces and habitat creation
  • Provide new walking and cycling connections
  • Retain and enhance existing orchard and tree cover
  • Create a SuDS (sustainable drainage) feature to manage water naturally
  • Help ease local housing pressure in a sensitive and managed way

We are proposing around 45-55 homes, subject to ongoing design work and feedback. These will include a range of house types and sizes to meet different needs, including:

  • Market sale homes
  • Affordable rent homes (75% of affordable provision)
  • Shared ownership (25% of affordable provision)

The site is not allocated in the Local Plan but lies within the defined urban boundary of Maidstone. Croudace has sought pre-application advice from the Borough Council and is currently developing a planning application. Government planning policy supports development in sustainable locations, particularly where housing supply is failing to meet local need.

Vehicular access is proposed via an extension of Taunton Avenue, connecting through Chapelfield Way and Newbridge Avenue. The design is being reviewed in consultation with Kent County Council.

The site is also accessible via several walking and cycling routes, including:

  • The Restricted Byway (KB47) along the southern boundary
  • Links to Corben Close, Maltese Close and Hermitage Park Community Centre
  • Three local bus stops within 5 minutes’ walk
  • Barming Station within a 10-minute walk

Surveys have confirmed the site contains a mix of orchard, grassland, scrub, and tree-lined boundaries. Low populations of common lizards and foraging bats have been recorded. We are:

  • Retaining existing trees and orchard features
  • Creating a new community orchard
  • Planting wildflower-rich margins, hedgerows and native scrub
  • Designing with green corridors to support wildlife movement

BNG is a planning requirement that ensures developments improve biodiversity by at least 10% compared to pre-development levels. Our aim is to deliver up to 20% BNG, achieved through:

  • On-site habitat creation including native planting, tree-lined boundaries, and a new orchard
  • A wildlife-friendly SuDS basin
  • Off-site contributions to enhance nearby green spaces and improve biodiversity locally

 

Off-site provision is a recognised way to achieve BNG where on-site land is constrained, and can lead to broader ecological enhancements beyond the red line boundary.

A masterplan is a high-level plan that guides how a site will be developed. It shows:

  • Where homes will go
  • Open spaces and play areas
  • Access roads and connections
  • Landscaping and drainage features

 

It helps ensure development is carefully planned, coordinated and sensitive to its context.

No. We are still at an early stage. No construction will begin until planning permission has been secured and detailed designs approved. The earliest possible start on site would be late 2026.

  1. Public engagement event – Saturday 15th November
  2. Feedback review – November to December 2025
  3. Finalise outline planning application – Early 2026
  4. Submit planning application – Early 2026
  5. Planning process and consultation by MBC – Spring/Summer 2026
  6. Planning decision – Mid to late 2026
  7. Possible start of construction – Late 2026 (subject to approval)
  • Attend the public event on 15th November (2–7pm at Hermitage Park Community Centre)
  • Submit feedback online here or via email: croudacehp@devcomms.co.uk
  • Contact our freephone line: 0800 080 3178

 

Your feedback is vital and will help shape the final application.