The prospect of a massive housing project threatening to nearly double the size of a small village has sparked widespread concern and debate. Recent plans reveal a proposal to develop an extensive 350-home community on the outskirts of Allhallows, a quiet village with an existing population that barely exceeds 700 households, based on the 2021 census. If approved, this development would significantly alter the landscape and character of the area.
Catesby Estates Ltd, a land promotion company based in Rugby, has submitted an application to Medway Council seeking permission to construct the new homes off Stoke Road, towards the southeastern periphery of the village on the Hoo Peninsula. The plan entails building approximately 320 dwellings on the eastern side of Stoke Road and an additional 30 to the west. This expansion would result in the village's population potentially increasing by over 50%, a change that has stirred apprehensions among residents.
The proposed development involves a mixture of housing types, including 46 one-bedroom flats or bungalows, 139 two-bedroom homes, 113 three-bedroom houses, and 52 four-bedroom residences. Of these, 105 units are designated as affordable, with 54 available for rent and 51 intended for shared ownership, aiming to provide more options for local residents who might otherwise struggle to find affordable housing.
Beyond residential spaces, the plans include amenities such as a children’s nursery and a dedicated mobility hub that would feature delivery lockers, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and facilities for bicycle maintenance. An expansion of the existing Allhallows Burial Ground is also proposed, creating additional memorial space. In total, the entire development site covers approximately 26.27 hectares.
Recognizing the importance of green spaces, the development plan allocates about 15.4 hectares for community and natural areas. These will include allotments, sports fields, playgrounds, and conservation areas, serving as both recreational facilities and flood mitigation measures. This ensures that not all land is developed for housing, preserving the village’s rural charm and ecological balance.
The proposed project has undergone a public consultation process, held in June of the previous year, where residents voiced considerable concerns. Many felt that the village already faces challenges with infrastructure and public services, and that additional housing would exacerbate these issues. The consultation involved meetings with local authorities, the parish council, health clinics, and even the nearby Haven holiday park.
Survey results highlighted skepticism or outright opposition from almost 90% of respondents, who believed that Allhallows did not need more homes or community facilities. Traffic congestion was perhaps the most significant concern, with 60% of participants citing increased vehicle movement as a major worry. Surprisingly, many residents expressed reluctance toward affordable housing projects, fearing they would alter the village’s character.
Feedback from the public also emphasized deficiencies in local services, such as limited access to general practitioner appointments, inconsistent public transportation, and inadequate school capacity. Many villagers voiced fears that infrastructure—roads, utilities, sewage, and electrical supplies—is already stretched thin, and additional residents could worsen these problems.
Longtime resident Pauline Thompson, a member of the Allhallows Action Group, summed up local sentiment, saying, “I’ve lived here for almost five decades, and the idea of adding 350 houses right at the bottom of my garden is genuinely frightening. We aren’t sure how it will impact the peaceful way of life we’ve enjoyed.”
Similarly, Theresa Lamkin expressed her frustrations about utility services, noting that frequent power outages affect their daily life and especially their reliance on Wi-Fi calling. She pointed out that these disruptions happen daily, further underscoring the strain on local infrastructure.
In response to the community's feedback, Catesby Estates claims to have made several adjustments to their initial plans. They reduced the development footprint by removing the northern field from the proposal and scaled back the amount of recreational and play facilities, opting instead to contribute to existing local amenities through developer funding. They have also included features like allotments, expanded nursery space, and more burial ground capacity.
The official outline application was lodged with Medway Council on January 2 and is currently under review by the planning department. Public participation remains open, with residents encouraged to submit their opinions—for or against—through official channels. Due to the considerable scale of the project and the contentious nature of the proposal, the application is expected to be debated by local councillors at an upcoming planning committee meeting.
While development can bring much-needed growth and modern amenities, the question remains: should such a significant expansion be allowed in a village that is already feeling the pinch of limited infrastructure and changing character? Residents and stakeholders continue to grapple with these questions, and your thoughts—whether you agree or disagree—are eager to be heard. What’s your stance on this proposed development?
