Virtual public consultation for Highsted Park

On Tuesday, 29 September 2020, the project team for Highsted Park hosted a virtual public information and consultation event to discuss proposals and receive feedback from local residents and businesses.

Across afternoon and evening sessions, attendees were given an overview of the scheme by the project team led by Ben Geering, Development Director at Quinn Estates. They were then able to pose their questions to a live panel of consultants. The aim of the event was to give the public the opportunity to share their thoughts, which will be considered ahead of the submission of final proposals.

The engagements were recorded and will be published on the Highsted Park website, so those who are unable to attend will be able to watch at a later date. The questions posed will also be collated and put together into an FAQ summary following the event.

Highsted Park is a visionary proposal for a mixed-use development that incorporates game-changing infrastructure and air quality improvements for the residents and businesses of Sittingbourne, Swale and the South East. The project seeks to positively transform Swale for current and future generations.

The project includes:

• 9,250 homes including 1,850 affordable.
• A new privately funded junction onto the M2 (J5a), the creation of the Southern Relief Road and completion of the Northern Relief Road.
• Four new primary schools and one new secondary school.
• 520 acres of new publicly accessible parks and outdoor space.
• Pioneering green technology to create a carbon neutral development.
• Space which encourages alternative modes of transport.
• A state-of-the-art sports hub anchored by Sittingbourne FC.
• New major primary care facilities.

Ben Geering, Development Director at Quinn Estates, commented: “We are delighted that we were able to host a virtual public consultation for Highsted Park today. Getting feedback from the public and stakeholders is extremely important as it shapes our final proposals. Given the current restrictions, it was great to still be able to do this even though it took a different format to our usual public consultations.

“The entire project team is passionate about what Highsted Park can deliver for Swale in terms of infrastructure, housing delivery, and job creation, so we want to progress the development as soon as possible. It’s also the only scheme coming forward in the borough that provides significant air quality benefits. Today’s event is definitely a step in a positive direction and we look forward to hosting further consultations on the project in the future.”

To find out more about the project and any upcoming virtual events, click here.