Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Strongly disagree

I am writing to register a firm objection to the proposed allocation at The Lodge, Water Lane, Bearsted (Policy C4S (008)) within the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople DPD (Regulation 18c). This site is not suitable for allocation for the following planning reasons: Highways and Access: Water Lane is a narrow, unsafe rural road with insufficient capacity or visibility for additional traffic. Unsustainable Location: The site has poor access to services, facilities and public transport and is not a sustainable location for new development. Landscape and Visual Harm: The site lies in a sensitive rural setting forming part of the wider landscape of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Development would cause unacceptable visual impact. Protected Oak Trees and Hedgerows: The site contains several important mature oak trees (including TPO trees) and established hedgerows that are essential to local character and biodiversity. These constraints make the site fundamentally unsuitable for development. Wildlife and Ecology: The site and hedgerows support local wildlife. Development would result in ecological harm that cannot be adequately mitigated. Residential Amenity: The proposal would negatively affect neighbouring properties through noise, activity, lighting and loss of privacy. Drainage and Environmental Constraints: Surface water and drainage concerns further limit the suitability of the site. Cumulative Impact: The area has already experienced significant development pressure, and further impact on infrastructure and the environment would be unacceptable. For these reasons, the site cannot be considered appropriate or deliverable, and I strongly request that Policy C4S (008) – The Lodge is removed from the proposed site allocations at the next stage of the DPD.