Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

Submitted by Residents of Bearsted & Thurnham We, the undersigned residents of Bearsted, Thurnham, and the surrounding community, hereby submit this petition to formally object to the proposed allocation of Site C45-008 (Water Lane) as a Gypsy and Traveller site within the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan Review. After carefully considering the proposal and its likely impacts, we conclude that this site is fundamentally unsuitable and should be removed from consideration. ⸻ Grounds for Objection  1.⁠ ⁠Highway Safety Risks Water Lane is a narrow rural road with very limited passing points, poor visibility, and frequent congestion. Additional vehicle movements would significantly increase danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.  2.⁠ ⁠Unsustainable and Isolated Location The site has no safe pedestrian pathways, insufficient lighting, and poor public transport access. It does not meet National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) criteria for sustainable development.  3.⁠ ⁠Harm to Rural Character and Landscape Developing this site would compromise the openness and rural setting of Bearsted and Thurnham, conflicts with policies aimed at protecting countryside character.  4.⁠ ⁠Strain on Local Services Local schools, GP surgeries, and community services are at or near capacity. Additional demand would place further pressure on already stretched facilities.  5.⁠ ⁠Flooding and Drainage Concerns The area has a known history of surface-water drainage issues. Development would likely worsen these conditions without significant infrastructure works.  6.⁠ ⁠Insufficient Emergency Access The narrow, winding nature of Water Lane makes emergency vehicle access difficult and potentially unsafe.  7.⁠ ⁠Overdevelopment of a Rural Site The proposed scale represents an over-intensification inconsistent with the rural surroundings and risks setting an unwelcome precedent for future countryside development.  8.⁠ ⁠Unclear Provision of Utilities There is no clear evidence that essential utilities and waste management can be delivered sustainably on this site.  9.⁠ ⁠Impact on Heritage and Conservation Areas The rural landscape contributes to the setting of nearby conservation areas and heritage assets, which this development would harm. 10.⁠ ⁠Noise, Light, and Visual Intrusion The proposal would introduce noise, lighting, and visual impacts detrimental to nearby residents and the tranquillity of the area. 11.⁠ ⁠Concerns Over Site Assessment Process Given the volume of concerns identified, residents question the robustness and consistency of the site selection and scoring process. ⸻ Petition Statement We, the undersigned, oppose the allocation of Site C45-008, Water Lane, as a Traveller site and urge Maidstone Borough Council to remove the site from the Local Plan Review. We believe the site is unsuitable due to its location, access constraints, environmental impacts, and conflict with planning policy.