Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Strongly disagree

I am writing to register my formal objection to the proposed Traveller site on Water Lane, Bearsted, the traveller and traveller show people development plan. While I recognise the need for the council to consider suitable accommodation for all communities, this particular location is highly unsuitable for several clear and evidence-based reasons outlined below. 1. Water Lane Is a Single-Track Country Road – Severe Highway Safety Risks Water Lane is a narrow single-track rural lane with limited passing places, poor visibility, and no pedestrian walkways. The additional traffic and the larger vehicles typically associated with travelling fair or circus families — including towing vehicles, caravans, and support vehicles — would significantly increase road safety risks along with damaging land. This lane already struggles to accommodate existing agricultural and local traffic. Emergency vehicle access would also be compromised. Furthermore, you are no doubt aware of the tragic fatality that occurred on an identical road, less than 0.5 miles away on Thurnham lane in 2024. Allowing this development would pose an even greater risk to pedestrians given the extra footfall and the large vehicles used to transport the show people’s equipment. In addition to the direct concerns noted on Water Lane, the access to Water Lane will be from Roundwell or The Street, neither of these roads will be able to support heavy vehicles moving to and from the site without posing a significant safety risk to the road users as well as walkers, cyclists and horse riders. 2. Inappropriate Development in a Rural Area The site sits within a peaceful part of Bearsted’s countryside and is surrounded by agricultural and residential land. The scale, nature, and activity level of a traveller site for traveller and circus groups is incompatible with the rural character of Water Lane and would cause a substantial change to the landscape. This appears contrary to local planning policies aimed at protecting Bearsted’s rural setting. You will also be aware of the flooding issues at the end of Water Lane which shows clear drainage issues. Should vehicles and homes be used, which given it is a showpeople development, would cause damage and heavy mud to the fields and the surrounding. If this was alleviated by making the plot accessible for such vehicles, this would not be in keeping with the rural setting if the village. 3. Impact on Local Infrastructure and Amenities Bearsted’s services — schools, healthcare, road network, and local facilities — are already under considerable pressure given recent developments. A site of this type, with seasonal influxes, could put additional strain on these limited local resources, particularly given the constrained access. 4. Environmental and Noise Concerns A development of this nature would inevitably introduce more noise, lighting, and general activity into a quiet rural environment. The lack of adequate screening or mitigation measures in the proposal raises concerns about the impact on wildlife, neighbouring properties, and the broader landscape. 5. Better-Suited Locations Should Be Considered A site for travelling circus families requires good access, strong transport links, and space for larger vehicles. Water Lane provides none of these. It is unclear whether a proper assessment of more suitable locations — such as better access to A roads, or established traveller transit areas — has been undertaken. But I feel there must be much more adequate locations to suit the needs of the traveller community. For the reasons outlined — serious road safety risks, conflict with rural land-use policies, environmental harm, and the strain on local infrastructure — I strongly urge the council to refuse this planning application. The proposed traveller site on Water Lane is unsuitable, unsafe, and inconsistent with planning principles that protect both the local community and the countryside around Bearsted. If any of the council members have any knowledge of the picturesque village Bearsted, they will know that a development such as this would not be in keeping with the village or be able to cope with the infrastructure needs of such development.