The Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells were the guests of honour at the official opening of a new development bringing 550 homes to the town.

Cllr Julian Stanyer and Mrs Anne Stanyer were shown around the marketing suite at Knights Wood by Susies Bennett, sales and marketing director for the development.

The development has caused some controversy among local residents and been criticised for being too big, but Cllr Stanyer praised and complimented Dandara on the success of the project to date.

He said: “If Tunbridge Wells is to continue to thrive and remain a great place to live, this is precisely the type of development that the town needs, attracting new people to the area and creating jobs for the local community.

“Dandara has made a really significant contribution to the local area in terms of the road improvement scheme that is already underway, not forgetting the new Skinners’ Kent Primary School that will be built at Knights Wood and will be a really tremendous addition to the local education system.”

Dandara contributed £3.95 million towards Knights Wood Primary School and it is anticipated that 75% of students will be Knights Wood residents.

Work is expected to start on the school in October 2014 with completion scheduled for August 2015, ready for the first intake of pupils.

The homes are being built on land to the north of North Farm Retail Park and many residents have concerns that this construction will further worsen already frustrating traffic problems throughout Tunbridge Wells.

However, Dandara believes that its support of the North Farm Masterplan which commenced in April 2014 will help in efforts being made to reduce congestion.

Dandara has worked with KCC's Highways Department to help inform its North Farm Masterplan of which the £6.3 million widening of Longfield Road is a part.

It is designed to bring congestion problems to an end and to deal with traffic growth over the next ten years.

The scheme required the gifting of land in Dandara’s ownership and a contribution of over £3 million.

It will also include a gyratory style junction at the Great Lodge/Longfield Road junction with work scheduled for completion by March 2015.

Susie Bennett speaking at the ceremony on Friday, September 12, added: “With Tunbridge Wells being a new region and long-term business for Dandara, we are keen to make our mark and quality is at the forefront of everything we do.

"By taking advantage of the natural landscape and fantastic views, we feel that we are creating something special – and the response from the public has been fantastic.”

The first phase of three-bedroom homes are already on sale at the site and Dandara commented that they were selling fast.

For more information visit www.knightswood.co.uk or www.dandara.com