Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Strongly disagree

I am a resident of Bearsted and would like to share feedback regarding my strong objection and serious concerns to this suggested proposal. This suggested site is absolutely not the right location for this purpose, for the following reasons. 1. Location, highways and access - this is a narrow poorly maintained country road, as part of a village setting, which regularly floods (aptly named water road - having poor drainage) and could not cope with any form of volume traffic from a new community dwelling area without significant costly infrastructure improvements and which would negatively affect the rural landscape. 2. Landscape impact - there would be an extremely negative effect on the rural character of the historic Bearsted village from this proposal, with nearby Grade I & II listed properties with signifiant conversation requirements that must be preserved for future generations. This is not just any rural countryside location, being close to the historic North Down way, the ancient and famous ‘pilgrims trail’ from London to Canterbury, it holds unique historic significance and should be preserved at all costs. 3. Local environment and ecology - there would certainly be an irreversible negative environmental impact on this location (such destruction of established trees, river ways, wildlife and ecology). There is already an issue in some local rural locations in this area with fly tipping, anti social behaviour and minor crime, which is coming from KCC budgets and indirectly from local tax payers to monitor and action. The local council funded village community warden post, only recently reinstated due to demand after being cut as a cost saving measure, can already attest to this. 4. Residential amenities - there is significant concern regarding the impact on local village amenities being able to cope with an additional instant community, including the excellent but solitary medical practice and limited local schooling places. I hope that my feedback, and the feedback of many others, will result in common sense prevailing and that more appropriate sites will be considered - such as brownfield locations within town environments, or industrial areas. On behalf of everyone who cares deeply about the legacy of Bearsted for future generations, please please do not destroy our much loved village with progressing this proposal - decisions taken now will irrevocably change the future of our village forever and cannot be undone.