Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Disagree

We write as residents to formally object to the proposal for the potential site allocation C4S(008) – The Lodge within the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people Development Document. We object to the inclusion of site C4S(008) – The Lodge as a potential traveller site for the following planning grounds: LANDSCAPE AND AONB/Kent Downs National Landscape impact The proposed site lies within the Kent Downs National Landscape. Being an area of outstanding natural beauty, the natural beauty and scenery of the North Downs is to be protected. The residents work hard to look after it and protect it and there is an expectation from the council that they protect it as well. This expectation is echoed by the National policy that places great importance on preservation and deems it equivalent to a National Park. Policy SP18 (Kent Downs National Landscape) offers Kent Downs National Landscape the highest level of protection and such a development contradicts the policy. According to the policy, reasons to create a new development in such an exceptional area should be exceptional in themselves, enhancing the Kent Downs National Landscape. Allocation of a traveller site in this sensitive location will increase the volume of residential buildings, and, with this, the volume of residents and traffic. The impact on nature and scenery undoubtedly will be impacted negatively and this will contradict the designation of this area as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Without a doubt, the character of the area will be affected. To our knowledge, the council has not shown evidence that there are no other potential sites outside of the Kent Downs and in such circumstances the protection of our land cannot be overridden by traveller accommodation need. Policy SP17 stipulates that development is permitted in the countryside only if emphasis is on conservation and enhancement. Highways and access concerns Such a proposed development will increase traffic and rural lane capacity in such a quiet, rural area negatively impacting traffic on this and surrounding lanes, and negatively impacting access to homes and to the equestrian centre. Lanes in the ME14 area are narrow and are unsuitable for increased traffic that will pose a threat to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, horses and riders. Policy SP18, regarding The Historic Environment, focuses on asset types such as historic parks and conservation areas. Permission to the allocation of C4S(008) can only be granted if consistent with National Planning Policy Framework and if there are very clear and extraordinary benefits to the public. Risk of precedent and incremental harm to the national landscape Permission to proceed with this allocation can, in the future, create pressure for more similar developments. Once permission has been granted for one such development/allocation, it will become increasingly difficult to decline others. Undoubtedly, this will lead to cumulative erosion to numerous aspects of a landscape that will be irreversible. This is not in line with national policy that exists to protect National Landscapes. We respectfully request that site C4S(008) The Lodge is removed from the list of potential site allocations in the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people before it proceeds any further. If the council wishes to continue considering this site, existing residents of the ME14 area need to be provided with strong evidence that addresses landscape impact, highway safety, and the lack of realistic alternatives. Thank you for the opportunity to be able to put forward our views.