Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

I am writing to object to the proposed Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople site being considered off Water Lane in Bearsted. My objections are based on material planning grounds, as outlined below. 1. Unsuitability of Water Lane for increased or large vehicle traffic Water Lane is a narrow, semi-rural lane with limited width, tight bends, and minimal pedestrian refuge. Even with current traffic levels, it is often difficult for two cars to pass safely. Introducing caravans, towing vehicles, and regular additional movements would create a serious safety hazard. Water Lane is simply not designed to support the level or type of vehicle traffic that a site of this nature would generate. This is further exacerbated by the fact that Mallings Drive is a residential area located immediately adjacent to the proposed access point. Increased traffic on Water Lane would directly affect the safety, noise levels, and general amenity of residents on both roads. 2. Existing traffic congestion and diversion issues Bearsted already experiences significant congestion, especially during incidents or closures on the M20 or M2. When this occurs, the village becomes an informal diversion route, and articulated lorries frequently travel through Water Lane and The Street, causing gridlock and dangerous conditions for residents. Any development that increases traffic pressure — especially with slow-moving or large vehicles such as caravans — is wholly unsuitable in an area with an already fragile traffic flow. 3. Overstretched local services Local infrastructure in Bearsted is under considerable pressure: GP surgeries are oversubscribed Schools are at or above capacity Parking and road capacity are already limited The proposed site provides no evidence that additional demand can be accommodated, nor that infrastructure improvements will be delivered to mitigate the impact. This is a material planning concern based on service capacity. 4. Harm to residential amenity for properties on Mallings Drive and surrounding roads The proximity of the proposed site to existing housing — including properties on Mallings Drive, Water Lane, and nearby cul-de-sacs — would directly affect residents through: Increased noise Additional traffic movements Loss of privacy Intrusion into what is currently a quiet, stable residential environment These are all valid and recognised planning grounds for objection. Additionally, the presence of a development so close to high-value residential properties is likely to result in a loss of amenity and desirability, which will inevitably impact property values. While property value cannot be the primary planning consideration, the reasons behind the devaluation — amenity loss and increased disturbance — are valid. 5. Landscape and character impact Water Lane forms part of the rural edge of Bearsted, contributing to the village’s historic and semi-rural character. The introduction of a site here would: Visually intrude on the open character of the area Intensify land use in a location that currently provides a buffer between residential areas and countryside Erode the village’s traditional layout and setting This conflicts with landscape and character protection policies in the adopted Local Plan. 6. Site appears to fail multiple suitability criteria According to Maidstone Borough Council’s own site assessment criteria for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the proposed location raises concerns regarding: Safe vehicular access (fails due to narrow, unsuitable road infrastructure) Impact on existing residential communities (fails due to extreme proximity to Mallings Drive homes) Local service capacity (fails due to overstretched infrastructure) Landscape and character compatibility (fails due to rural edge setting) Given the number of significant failures against these criteria, the site is demonstrably unsuitable. Conclusion For the reasons outlined above, I respectfully urge the Council to remove the Water Lane location from the list of preferred sites in the Development Plan Document.