PLANS for a controversial garden town in Shepway have been boosted by government funding.
The 12,000-home Otterpool Park project would border East Kent towns Lympne, Westenhanger, Stanford and Sellindge.
Communities secretary Sajid Javid announced this week he was releasing £2.5million to speed up building for 155,000 homes in nine similar projects nationwide.
Shepway District Council will be awarded £155,000 to continue working on proposals.
Opponents say the local countryside, which is close to Folkestone Racecourse, will be
devastated and the project will put a huge strain on roads and services.
Developers are in midst of carrying out public consultations before a formal planning application is submitted to the council.