Like many people, I’m extremely concerned by some of the proposals for Swale Borough Council’s new Local Plan.
A couple of the options being considered, would see an unforgivable scale of development around the market town of Faversham. Added to this, there’s enormous encroachment into the surrounding countryside and high-quality agricultural land.
During the previous consultation on the proposals, I heard from many residents concerned that a new and dramatically different Local Plan was being rushed through without proper consultation.
As part on my survey on the Local Plan, only 5 per cent of responders said they had been properly consulted on the proposals. I’m therefore pleased that the Council has decided to take more time to seek the views of residents.
In my submission to the latest consultation, I’ve called for priority to given to brownfield development sites as well as a greater focus on space efficiency – including making better use of space above shops.
I’ve also called on the Council to produce a plan for infrastructure to support new homes. In particular, there needs to be much greater attention on how our road network will cope – especially bottlenecks like Brenley Corner.
I hope the Council will use the opportunity of this latest consultation to listen to residents across the borough and deliver a Local Plan that provides sustainable homes for tomorrow while addressing infrastructure needs today.
Read my submission to the consultation below.
