Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Strongly disagree

I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding the proposal to create a gypsy and traveller site within the borough, and in close proximity to the village of Bearsted. My primary concern relates to traffic and environmental impact. Vehicles typically associated with travellers are often large HGV lorries and trucks, which are predominantly diesel powered. The introduction of these vehicles would inevitably lead to increased air and noise pollution, which would have a detrimental effect on the local environment and the health and wellbeing of residents. The road through Bearsted village/already experiences significant traffic pressure due to its use as a “rat run” by drivers travelling from the M20 towards the A20 and vice versa. This traffic frequently passes through narrow village roads that are not designed to accommodate high traffic volumes, let alone large commercial vehicles. Any further increase in traffic would exacerbate existing congestion, safety risks, and pollution levels. In addition, access to the proposed site is via a single-track road, which is wholly unsuitable for large vehicles such as HGVs. This raises serious concerns regarding road safety, damage to infrastructure, and the ability of emergency vehicles to gain access when required. The proposed development would result in a substantial increase in the local population, which risks destabilising the character of what is currently a quiet and tranquil village. The scale and nature of the proposal appear incompatible with the existing rural setting and infrastructure capacity. Finally I understand there is an existing “traveller” site off Water Lane in Bearsted and therefore another site within the same vicinity should not be a consideration. I respectfully request that Maidstone Borough Council gives full consideration to these issues when assessing the proposal, particularly in relation to highway safety, environmental impact, and the suitability of the location.