Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

I write to you as a resident of Langley, Maidstone, to raise my deep concerns and objections regarding the proposed site for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople at The Bishings, an area of unspoilt green space, in fact the last area of unspoilt green space,within the boundary of Langley Heath, This proposed site is completely unsuitable for this use and contravenes section 8 of the NPPF (Promoting Healthy and Safer Communities). This site is not safe and accessible (breaching 96b) It is sandwiched between a quiet lane and the busy Leeds Road B2163. There would be no high quality public space (contravening 96c) and the land is a piece of agricultural land that should be safeguarded. The land has been left dormant and uncultivated in recent years whilst the landowner repeatedly applied for planning permission. All applications were, very sensibly, rejected. The Bishings is a large site in a semi rural location. Such a development as this would dominate the surrounding well established settled community (breaking Policy C Planning Policy for Traveller Sites). The site has potential to ghettoise and enclave a community because of its position within Langley Heath, which would contradict Policy H 26d form Planning Policy for Traveller Sites. The village has very limited community facilities (breach of 97a). There are no local shops within the village. Another area developed would NOT enhance the sustainability of communities nor the established residential environments. There is no school within Langley itself and many of the local schools do not have sufficient spaces to admit pupils, especially siblings. Because of the poor local public transport links, this, amongst other issues, would further increase traffic The roads are very often gridlocked now. the Leeds Road, Sutton Road and Willington Street struggle to cope with the increased developments that have already been established. The site would contravene 97b as this would absolutely not improve the health, social or cultural well being for either the established residents or Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Showpeople. This proposed site will place further undue pressure on the medical facilities, already at crisis point for both Langley and Sutton Valence surgeries as there would be limited or no access to appropriate health services. The site is also within a flood risk area. In Policy C (g) it is stated ‘do not locate sites in areas at high risk of flooding, given the particular vulnerability of caravans’. This would also affect the welfare of animals in regards to exercise space and access to dry pasture. Developing this piece of agricultural land would inevitably worsen it's already imperfect drainage significantly increasing the potential for increased flooding and damage to established buildings (including gr grade 2 listed properties) within Green Lane as well as Orchard Close and Shepherds Way. Therefore development of The Bishings in general, but for this potential use in particular, is not sustainable and must be rejected. Finally in these times of great financial stringency I'm staggered that the Council has somehow found the funds to allocate £4,000,000 to this search for more sites, which will bring no benefit whatever to it's constituents but will saddle them with the burden of substantial maintenance and other costs going forward.