Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Nothing chosen

I would like to submit my comments regarding the above public consultation of proposed site Lodge Farm Water Lane Bearsted and have my objection noted. I have lived in Bearsted for almost 35 years. During that time I have used Water Lane as a pedestrian, dog walker, driver, horse rider and during that time the difficulty of using the lane has increased. The lane is historically notorious for flooding culminating in deep water where the lane meets the Roundwell and this is treacherous during the winter months. This isn’t just confined to the bottom of Water lane but the whole of Water Lane for treacherous conditions. The lane is not managed by Kent County Council in the road gritting program and therefore the likes of winter 2018 will continue. During that winter the lane was virtually cut off with horrendously deep snow drifts and took a such long time to thaw especially from the Lodge/Bridge Farm entrance because the lane is sheltered by trees/railway bridge/almost vertical banks and would be still frozen at the bottom of the lane. From February 2014 to March 2018 I used the lane twice a day either with my car or as a pedestrian and know that the lane is not suitable for a local increased amount of traffic. There has been a riding school at the top of Water Lane for many years although it does not operate as a riding school now it is still an equestrian property with owners using and riding in the lane to and from the premises. Visibility in the lane is greatly reduced by the winding nature of the lane with little or no passing places for larger vehicles and more so in areas of the lane and from the M20 bridge down. There is an up take on the lane’s use when neighbouring roads are closed, most recently now happening while restrictions are placed by the Dirty Habit. Much of the diverted traffic are not local to the area so oversized vehicles cause a massive amount of congestion and damage to the banks and hedgerows of the lane and surrounding lanes. Water Lane and surrounding area cannot support an increased amount of vehicles from the proposed site at The Lodge or any other in Water Lane. The Lodge has been a family home for many years and a former owner supported a rural practice over many years by allowing livestock and horses to graze on their land. There is only access to The Lodge via Bridge Farm which is and for many years, been an Equestrian property. Turning in and out of Bridge Farm is difficult with a car because of road visibility either way and therefore larger vehicles would be more liable for road traffic accidents at that point whether it be from Bridge Farm or beside it. I had the pleasure of grazing my animals at the Lodge from May 2016 until January 2018 and had sole use of the land proposed for approximately 1 year. During my time there there were bats and swifts/swallows inhabiting the old dairy which returned during my time there. I know that the land slopes away on both sides and believe that the site to be unsuitable for the purpose proposed. The area is visible from the M20 and the proposed site would affect the area of Bearsted greatly. Bearsted is a well sought after area of residence and generates a good deal of tourism to the area because of local attractions like Leeds Castle. The train line runs adjacent to the site. I am sorry to say that sites like these are not well managed and if it is tucked away there is the propensity for them to be overlooked, not managed and become over crowded which will have an effect to the residents of Bearsted. I also need to remind the council of the double tragedy that happened on the adjacent lane (Thurnham Lane) due to a speeding car and icy conditions and whilst this tragedy was the fault of the driver, if it were not for the fact of surface water that comes from the Downs icing up on the road, it probably would not have happened. I, for one was traumatised by the tragedy, this happened to a local well respected couple just out doing what many residents of Bearsted and visitors to the area do and it would be a shame for anyone to curtail that activity because of increased traffic that this proposed site would bring.