Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

I would like to raise my objections to the following sites that the Council is considering as part of its Call for Sites exercise for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople. POLICY C4S (008) – THE LODGE I am concerned that the Council does not specify how many pitches it is considering for this site. That said, the Lodge is accessed via a very narrow country lane which would not be suitable for a site of any size. I also share local concerns that it will have a detrimental impact on the Kent Downs National Landscape and could negatively impact several important Oak trees on the site which have tree preservation orders. POLICY C4S (017) – THE BRISHINGS This site is so unpopular locally that residents have drawn up a petition against it. It is important that the council takes into account the strength of local opinion when making planning decisions. Also, like the Lodge on Green Lane this is a one-track country lane which again would be totally unable to cope with the volume of traffic 20 pitches would generate. POLICY C4S (019) – THE MEADOW I am concerned that the DPD does not specify how many pitches would be allocated to this site and the local road network will not be able to manage many more car movements. It is quite a large site with the potential to expand beyond its road capacity – which could be a problem in the future. POLICY C4S (028) – OAKLAND PLACE, POLICY C4S (003) – WOOD VIEW FARM, POLICY LPR (256) – STEDE ROW WOODLAND, SOUTH OF PILGRIMS WAY and POLICY C4S (004) – ACRES PLACE There is too much development in the pipeline for Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs for one rural ward to take. On the grounds of overdevelopment, I object to these sites unless they are significantly scaled down. I am aware that Maidstone already has one of the highest Gypsy/Traveller populations in the country and the Government is requiring the Council to provide more sites – and I will be taking this up with Ministers. I would be grateful if you could pass my comments onto the Council’s decision makers so they can take them into account when they prepare the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document.