Volume 1: Sustainability Appraisal of the Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document 2023–2040

Strongly disagree

I object to Policy C4S (008) and the selection of 'The Lodge' as potentially suitable for a travellers' site on the grounds that it is in conflict with the Government's December 2024 policy paper 'Planning Policy for Traveller Sites' , and in particular for the following reasons: 1. There is no indication of the potential scale of development, nor whether it might or might not be for mixed residential and business use. This fails to meet Government guidance to relate the number of pitches or plots to the circumstances of the specific size and location of the site, and therefore provides insufficient information for adequate public consultation. 2. There is Inadequate assessment of any potential impact on the adjoining highway network, and medical and education facilities. The site is accessed via Water Lane, which is substantially a narrow, single carriageway. It is particularly unsuitable for visiting caravans, and for lorry traffic associated with potential residents or any on-site employment activity. The Street, Bearsted already has significant access and traffic flow problems. 3. In view of the close proximity of the M20 Motorway, the High Speed Rail Link and the railway, the site fails to satisfy Government guidance regarding the effect of noise and air quality on the health and amenity of any travellers that might be located there. 4. The site adjoins and is in close proximity to agricultural land presently used for grazing of livestock, in a rural area which has been perceived by residents to have been subject to increasing levels of trespass, damage to land by vehicles, damage to fencing and gates, hare coursing, theft and illegal land- fill and fly-tipping. The adjoining and nearby agricultural land is not located such that it can be closely supervised by farmers and landowners.