Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

Formal Objection to Traveller Site Expansion The Meadow, Chartway Street, Sutton Valence ME17 3JB Proposal: Development of 15 additional traveller pitches adjacent to areas salread containing 35+ permitted pitches. (20 Pitt Road, 4 Crossdrive, 11 Chartway Street) 1. Overconcentration of Traveller Sites 1.1 The proposal would create a cluster of 50+ pitches, contrary to the PPTS requirement for fair and balanced distribution. Also conflicts with DPD Policy GT1 and Local plan Policy SP17 1.2 This level of concentration places a disproportionate burden on one rural community. 1.3 Overconcentration undermines community cohesion, contrary to national planning objectives. 1.4 The existing Traveller sites on Chartway Street, Pitt Road and Cross Drive form part of our community, and relations between residents and Traveller families are positive and well-established. However, the proposed addition of a further 15 pitches in such a concentrated location risks disrupting this balance. Sustainable community cohesion depends on proportionate, well-distributed provision, and the proposed expansion is of a scale that could undermine the harmony that presently exists. 2. Strain on Local Infrastructure & Services 2.1 Local schools are full, and the nearest GP practice is not accepting new patients. 2.2 Planning policy requires development to be supported by adequate infrastructure, which is not available in this location. 2.3 Utilities and local services are already under pressure from existing traveller sites in the immediate area. 3. Highway Safety & Traffic Impact 3.1 Access roads are unsuitable for any increase in traffic volume, Chartway Street is heavily used by HGVs serving Winterwood, Griffins and Street Farm, large agricultural operations and Finches Caravan park. Travellers children daily travel on pony-drawn carts up and down this road, increasing vulnerability on an already hazardous route 3.2 Pitt Road (single track) already serves 20 traveller pitches, 12 houses, a car dealership, and a touring caravan park plus holiday lets. Family expansion alone has and will see the number of pitches increase. 3.3 Pitt Road is used as a rat-run to avoid congestion at Five Wents and Warmlake crossroads, increasing traffic volumes and is a short cut to the Ridge Golf Course 3.4 Collisions occur regularly, and children daily use pony/horse-drawn carts, creating significant safety risks. 3.5 Pitt Road joins Chartway Street on a blind bend. Vehicles, including children with horses, cross in front of oncoming traffic. Any increase in traffic would exacerbate the existing road danger. These impacts conflict with NPPF paragraph 111 and Local Plan Policy DM1, which require safe and suitable access for all users. 4. Environmental & Amenity Impacts 4.1 The proposal would increase noise, lighting, and general activity, harming local amenity. This conflicts with Local Plan Policy DM1 and PPTS Policy H 4.2 The site contributes to biodiversity corridors; further development risks habitat fragmentation. contrary to Local Plan Policy DM3 and NPPF Chapter 15 4.3 PPTS requires protection of the local environment and residential amenity, which this proposal fails to achieve. 5. Conflict with Local Plan & Spatial Strategy 5.1 The Maidstone Traveller DPD seeks to distribute pitches across the borough, not concentrate them in one locality. DPD Policy GT1 5.2 The proposal conflicts with the DPD's aims of balanced growth, sustainable development, and integrated coexistence. 5.3 The Local Plan identifies need but requires proportionate allocation, which this site does not provide. Spatial Strategy SS1 and Policy SP17 6. Landscape & Rural Character 6.1 The scale and density of the proposal are disproportionate to the rural/semi-rural setting. Local Plan Policy DM30 (Landscape Character) and NPPF paragraph 174 6.2 PPTS Policy C requires rural sites to respect local character and scale - this proposal does not. 7. Site-Specific Concerns: The Meadow (C4S-019) 7.1 There are already 10 permitted pitches immediately east of the Meadow site, intensifying overconcentration beyond what the DPD intends. 7.2 A high-pressure gas distribution line runs along the western boundary, creating safety and development constraints. HSE PADHI guidance, PPTS Policy H and Local Plan Policy DM1 7.3 National policy requires safe separation distances from hazardous infrastructure, which appear compromised. 7.4 The cumulative impact of existing and proposed pitches would overwhelm local services, infrastructure, and community cohesion. 8. Context from Maidstone Traveller Site Provision 8.1 MBC's planned 15-pitch public site demonstrates the need for carefully selected, well-serviced locations near schools, healthcare, and village facilities. 8.2 The DPD identifies multiple potential allocation areas (Boughton Monchelsea, Coxheath, Lenham, Marden, Staplehurst, Stockbury, Sutton Valence, Langley), emphasising distributed provision in line with DPD Policy GT1 and PPTS Policy B. 8.3 The council's strategy explicitly aims to avoid concentration and ensure sustainable, balanced accommodation across the borough. 8.4 Site design policies include requirements for dayrooms, amenity blocks, and adequate space for horses, reflecting traveller cultural needs. 8.5 Public consultation on the DPD allows stakeholders to comment on suitability, impact, and alignment with the spatial strategy. 9. Conclusion 9.1 This proposal conflicts with national policy (PPTS) and local policy (Local Plan & Traveller DPD). 9.2 It results in overconcentration, inadequate infrastructure support, significant increase in highway safety risks, environmental harm, and erosion of rural character. 9.3 It is inconsistent with Maidstone's spatial strategy for balanced, sustainable traveller site provision. 9.4 For these reasons, I respectfully request you accept my objections