Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

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Comments on MBC GTTS DPD -Policy C4S- The Lodge, Water Lane , Thurnham ME14 3LT by: Dr. Felicity Simpson Ph.D, XXXXX.I have continued to visit the ME 14 3LU area and friends from there have visited me, so I remain familiar with Water Lane and the surrounding countryside, 1. I wish to endorse strongly the comments on this application sent in from the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, concluding in section 4, that on the grounds of Highway Safety, Pedestrian Safety and Access the proposed development is inappripriate and should be removed from the Draft DPD. 2. 1. I wish to make an additional comment on Pedestrian Safety. As the B&TS pointed out in the submission that there is no footway along the length of Water Lane, nor any parallel footpath(s). Water Lane is a public road with no specially restricted speed limit, and is extremely dangerous in the southerly section from Roundwell to just before the entrance to The Lodge, as it is a "sunken lane" with no sideways escape. Yet the distance from the proposed site to facilities on The Green are within the walking capability of many adults and older children who may be encouraged to walk for a variety of reasons - exercise, money saving or just convenience. But that walk would be dangerous. 2.2. So when considering the safety of pedestrians accessing the public highway, there is the need to consider that Water Lane is not a destination road for its residents but only an access/egress to other main roads,. Therefore the safety of residents of the proposed site should be determined by access/egress to/from the Water Lane Junction at Roundwell and even at the Pilgrims Way. Similar comments would apply to bicycle users. 3.The comments must be considered in relation to the location of the site, as additional residential development in the countryside, which has no previous built development,,(brownfield) designation, and where no need for such development has been proven, would be contrary to the requirement to protect the rural aspect of The Kent Downs National Landscape. and enhance its biodiversity. 4. So I seek to reinforce the arguments advanced by the Bearsted and Thurnham Society that Policy C4S(008) The Lodge should be withdrawn from consideration of GTTS DPD on the grounds that it would be inappropriate development.