Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Strongly disagree

I would like to register a strong objection to the proposed siting of the Gypsy and Traveller camp in Water Lane, Bearsted on the basis hat the site under consideration is unsuitable for the proposed purpose of providing a site for use by Gypsies and Travellers. The primary reasons that I consider the site unsuitable are as follows;- Water lane is very narrow and has no pavements to provide safe access. The road is inherently dangerous to travel down due to the lack of any pavements and the blocking of pedestrian escape from road traffic due to hedging either side. Only recently two pedestrians were killed when they were hit by a car, for which the visibility by both the driver and pedestrians was obscured by the hedging. The local GP practice is heavily oversubscribed and struggles to provide the necessary services to existing residents, without increasing the numbers requiring attention. The width of the lane would prohibit safe movement of large vehicles and caravans / mobile homes to the site and if used the site would have to be very significantly opened up to be able gain access for such vehicles Development of the site with hardstandings and services provisions would be very disruptive to the village and surrounding areas. If concrete or other similar hardstandings were installed then this would increase the run off of water down the lane and exacerbate an already unwelcome and unsafe environment. If no hardstandings were incorporated then this would result in significant quantities of earth and mud being transferred onto the road when entering and exiting the site. This would create a real hazard for vehicles and pedestrians alike. If developed and opened up for entry the site would be very detrimental to the rural setting and view of the Downs, and the area of Outstanding Beauty. For the local community, which is already having to overcome unwelcome significant increases in traffic movements, this proposal would only make things much worse. We understand the need for such sites but it would be totally inappropriate to position such a facility at this location and spoil what is currently a rare piece of beautiful countryside.