Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

I am writing in order to register a formal objection to the proposed allocation of land on Water Lane, Bearsted, for the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople development plan document (DPD). As a local resident within Bearsted, overlooking this land and proposed site. I have taken into consideration, the national planning policy framework (NPPF) as well as the Maidstone Borough Council’s duty, under the planning and compulsory purchase act (200). Whilst I appreciate and understand the council’s duty, to consider and deliver suitable sites for all persons and communities, including the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling show people community. Any site for consideration should be made considering Suitability, Safety, Environmental impact, Sustainability and the impact on the area, infrastructure and local residents. I am extremely concerned about the aforementioned consideration and location for the proposed site and the risks associated with this. Please kindly take my below comments and objections into serious consideration. 1. Road & Access Requirement - Risks of such a small country lane. Water lane is a small, single country lane, which does not allow passing vehicles and does not have any pedestrian side paths nor footpaths. This poses a serious risk to walkers and pedestrians. This risk was (very sadly) proven when in recent years, a couple and their dog were hit by a car and killed in a nearby (and wider) country lane in Bearsted (Thurnham Lane, in December 2024). There are next to no passing areas for vehicles or pedestrians. Encouraging more residents and their (much larger than normal) vehicles into that road and surrounding area, will be highly dangerous. It would cause damage to the trees and wildlife in the area. The site access itself would pose risks of entering or coming and going in vehicles or on foot. All access would be via this road, with no alternative. 2. Road Flooding – The road itself is frequently flooded, posing a risk to further flooding, water and sewage leaks down into the Bearsted village. All road and access considerations, should be taken alongside NPPF paragraph 110, which requires safe and suitable access for ALL users and not give rise to unacceptable highway safety impacts. I do not foresee any viable highway safety mitigation strategy for this issue. 3. Lighting – There is no lighting in Water Lane, creating even more danger, including all above listed dangers. 4. Population increase and negative impact to rural life and surrounding area – The village of Bearsted already has a population larger than it was intended. In terms of the infrastructure, the traffic flow problems in the village and surrounding areas. Parking spaces, local services such as shops, restaurants, doctor and dental surgeries and school places. Continually adding to such a small and limited infrastructure will place a heavy burden on the village and it will therefore be unpleasant to reside here, losing it’s rural character and quiet countryside. The constant movement of vehicles and equipment for travelling showpeople is extreme in comparison to the rural setting and access/village. 5. I moved to Bearsted for its character and charm as a small village. The desirability of the village and the value of my home will negatively be impacted by this site. It will be visible from my home, that I spent my entire life savings and taxes on. A site should be found elsewhere, where there are better amenities, safe access without serious risks, and infrastructure potential, or closer to a larger town or less rural area. 6. The site itself raises many concerns, regarding how the council will ensure the site is fit for the numbers there in terms of the surrounding area and infrastructure. It is unclear how the housing numbers are to be limited and checked and policed correctly and with what frequency. There is a lack of clarity surrounding whether these homes would contribute to and pay council tax such that all other residents do/ There is no confirmation that rubbish collection will be made and maintained, as per normal housing in the area. 7. Noise disturbance in rural areas - No due consideration has been given to noise levels. Issues on previous sites have not been dealt with effectively, and it has been proven that the local (and limited number of overworked) authorities fear entering the sites and attempting to enforce the law. Bearsted is a safe village, which is why I moved here from London. The safety of the village, businesses, homes and residents is paramount firstly, when making any considerations such as these. 8. Wildlife and the environment may be negatively impacted. Such as the trees, hedgerows and animals and creatures that currently live there in peace. The site will be visible from the North Downs, which is an Area of Natural Beauty. These natural rural areas need to be kept as they are, in order to preserve the countryside and environment we all choose to live in.