Residents Mobilize to Halt Largest-Ever Kent Development

As of September 29th, 2025, a group of Kent residents are mobilizing to fight what they describe as the "largest ever development" in their area. An outline planning application has been submitted to Canterbury City Council to build up to 1,350 homes near Brooklands Farm, close to the town of Whitstable.

The Save Brooklands Farmland campaign group is leading the charge against the proposed development, citing a range of concerns. These include road safety issues, the impact on wildlife and ancient woodland, potential sewage pollution along the coastline, and the strain on an already "stretched" and "barely coping" local health service.

According to the application, the development would also feature retail, commercial, office, health, and community facilities, as well as a primary school and a SEND school. However, the campaigners argue that the project would "unlock a whole lot more in the future" by improving connectivity to the road network.

The developers, Hallam Land, have been approached for comment, but no decision has yet been made by Canterbury City Council on the application. The authority is currently in the process of developing a new local plan, and the Brooklands Farm site has been proposed as a potential development area within the draft.