Gillingham residents are being invited to give their views on plans to build part of the 1,800-house Southern Extension to the south of the town.

Welbeck Land, who control the land at Newhouse Farm and Ham Farm which forms the central part of the expansion area, are staging a ‘pre-application exhibition’ at RiversMeet leisure centre in Gillingham on Wednesday 13 September from 3pm to 8pm.

The company says the event will provide a chance for local people to comment on the proposals for the area before the masterplan is completed and submitted for outline planning approval later this year.

The central area contained in the exhibition will include:
• 961 new homes;
• a local centre on Shaftesbury Road with shops, a community hall, health centre and homes for older people;
• a new street linking New Road and Shaftesbury Road;
• expansion of St Mary the Virgin Primary School; and
• formal and informal open space including allotments, sports pitches and children’s play areas.

Overall some 1,800 homes are due to be built between now and 2031 on the Southern Extension, a development which is shared between several companies.