Housing without harming the countryside

I was disappointed by the decision to give the go ahead for the expansion of East Kent Recycling’s plant at Oare Creek. I was strongly opposed to the development along with the town council, parish council, and local people.

I am disappointed that outline planning permission for an industrial development has been granted for Woodcut Farm by Maidstone Borough Council’s Planning Committee by a 7-5 majority.

I have done everything I can to make the voice of local people heard in the planning process. Ever since I was elected I have spoken out against development at Junction 8 and pushed for new housing to be supported by appropriate infrastructure.

Sajid Javid has announced changes to the way planning authorities calculate how many homes they need to build in their area.

For Maidstone these changes mean an increase in the housing target from 883 to 1,236 more houses a year, for Swale it's going up from 776 to 1,054 .

I am very worried about Maidstone’s Local Plan. I have urged Maidstone Council and the Planning Inspector himself to make changes, but they have just steamrollered on. I wish we could have solved this locally, but we’re running out of time.

The horrific fire at Grenfell Tower has left people angry that this could happen in Britain and frightened for their own safety. We need justice for the victims, and reassurance that everything possible is being done to prevent a tragedy like this happening again.

I am pleased that Woodcut Farm will be protected from a development that would have ruined the countryside around Leeds Castle, after Councillors stuck by the decision to reject the planning application.

A commercial development at Woodcut Farm, close to Leeds Castle and the AONB, has been thrown out twice, yet Maidstone Borough Council seem intent on bringing it back.

Plans to build a 47,000sqm business park on the edge of the Area of Outstanding Natural beauty have once again been thrown out by the Planning Committee at MBC.   

Protecting this beautiful part of the countryside from a completely inappropriate development is the right decision. 

I'm calling on councillors to stand by their decision to reject a 47,000sqm commercial development close to Leeds Castle and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.