Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

I submit this representation to formally object to the proposed allocation of Site C4S (008) within the Gypsy & Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD). While acknowledging the Council’s obligation to identify deliverable sites under the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS), it is my firm view that this allocation is unsound when assessed against the tests set out in NPPF paragraph 35, and is inconsistent with national, county, and local policy. The site is unsustainably located, remote from services and poorly served by public transport, contrary to NPPF paragraphs 8, 11 and 105, PPTS paragraph 25, and Maidstone Local Plan Policy SP17. The development would therefore be inherently car dependent. From a highway’s perspective, the local road network is substandard and unsuitable to accommodate additional traffic. The proposal fails to meet Kent County Council Development and Access Planning Guidance and Manual for Streets standards. Increased vehicle movements would materially harm highway safety, contrary to NPPF paragraph 111. This aligns with Kent County Council’s standard refusal reason relating to unsafe access and unacceptable highway impact. The proposal would also result in unacceptable harm to countryside character and landscape quality, contrary to NPPF paragraph 174 and Local Plan Policy DM30. Ecological harm may arise through the loss of hedgerows and habitat fragmentation, conflicting with NPPF paragraphs 174 and 180 and Local Plan Policy DM37. Residential amenity would be harmed through loss of privacy, increased noise, light pollution, and general disturbance, contrary to Local Plan Policy DM1. Finally, the cumulative impact of this allocation has not been adequately assessed. Additional pressure on highways, services and utilities undermines the effectiveness and deliverability of the plan, contrary to NPPF paragraphs 20 and 26. For these reasons, Site C4S (008) fails the tests of soundness and should be removed from the Gypsy & Traveller DPD.