PADDOCK Wood Town Council's chairman says he is "sceptical" about assurances from develop-ers that they will listen to residents before building 600 new homes.

Councillor Ron Aitchison, a former construction industry professional, was reacting to the "non-committal" responses of three major developers to questions posed by the Courier about their plans for the town.

Berkeley, Rydon and Persimmon – which are all bidding to create vast new urban extensions to the east and south of Paddock Wood – all declared themselves ready and willing to address local people's concerns but said it was too early to reveal detailed plans.

Cllr Aitchison said: "It's the kind of non-committal response I would have expected from developers.

"They have all expressed an interest in working with the local community, but I am sceptical.

"I was in the building industry all of my working life and I have been on both sides of the fence, so I am a little bit suspicious."

Adrian Brown, managing director of Berkeley Strategic – which has taken an option on land at Green Lane – said he could not yet reveal how many houses they were looking to build.

He said: "We need to take soundings from the local community to find out what the issues are.

"It would be presumptuous to do otherwise.

"The critical thing is to create a place, not just another housing estate."

Peter Robertson of Rydon Homes on plans for Church Farm in Church Road, said: "It is our initial consideration that the site can accommodate some 300 homes in a mix of sizes and styles, including an element of affordable housing, to best suit the needs of the local area.

"Naturally, prior to submitting planning applications we would provide opportunities for neighbours and other interested parties to view and comment on our proposals."

Persimmon Homes South East Managing director Edward Owen said of the plans for the Mascalls Farm site adjacent to Badsell Road: "We believe this development has the potential to create ... a wonderful extension to the community in Paddock Wood, but will also help to address the current shortfall for new homes (including a range of affordable homes) in the region."

Cllr Aitchison said he is most concerned about the issue of drainage and flood prevention and wants meetings with the companies to ensure they are fully aware of potential problems. He also wants them to address April's annual town meeting.

Cllr Aitchison said: "We all know that the infrastructure of drainage, sewerage and flooding has got to be there before they build any houses.

"They do know because they were all at the Core Strategy hearing meeting with me when I plonked a copy of an email on the table for the inspector and said 'this is what Southern Water say'."

He added: "When they come to meet the public they have got to have all the answers because the public are going to be asking the same questions."