Residents of Teynham, Kent, are facing an unfinished housing development after developers abruptly halted plans for up to 300 homes. Outline planning permission for the project, known as Frognal Place, was granted in June 2021. Chartway Partnerships Group began constructing access roads intended to connect the new estate to the A2 London Road but has since ceased all work, leaving the site abandoned for over a year.
Local residents have described the site as an 'eyesore,' pointing to the half-built roads and a newly constructed, yet unused, roundabout. Nigel Heriz-Smith, a Teynham resident for 13 years, expressed his surprise at the developers' withdrawal, questioning whether there is sufficient demand for housing in the area. He also raised concerns about potential future development south of the A2 if current plans are not commercially viable.
Conservative local councillor Julien Speed, who has campaigned against the development, called the situation a 'total eyesore.' He noted that construction equipment was left on site for months, making the area appear neglected. Although the equipment has since been removed, the unfinished site remains a significant visual blight for the community.
Residents now fear that resolving the situation could lead to years of further disruption. Councillor Speed confirmed that a procurement process is underway to find a new construction partner for the roads, a prerequisite for restarting any work. He indicated that construction might resume towards the end of the current year or early next year. The delay has led to considerable frustration among residents who are unhappy with the prolonged state of the unfinished building site.
Sarah Butler, director of development and sales at housing developer Moat, stated that the company's vision for Frognal Place, including homes and community spaces like sports facilities and allotments, remains unchanged. Moat has initiated the search for a contractor to complete the project and plans to keep local residents informed of progress. A spokesperson for Chartway Partnerships Group and Moat Homes previously commented that changes in developer involvement are common in the industry and influenced by various factors, emphasizing that this situation does not diminish the site's potential for providing housing.