Broomfield & Kingswood Echo

[Back to: Home Page | News | Parish Council ]

“The Parish Council Newsletter Serving Our Community”

January 2009 – Special Edition

Kent  International Gateway

 Rail Interchange (KIG)

This Application, MA/07/2092, has been stalled for many months due to AXA / KIG failing to provide adequate replies to Maidstone Borough Council’s requests for additional information and also by the Highways Agency’s Article 14 Direction

However, AXA has now supplied supplementary information that has resulted in Maidstone Borough Council’s decision to undertake a further consultation period for their consideration and assessment of the KIG Planning Application

This consultation process commenced on 9th January and lasts for three weeks and objections should be made to Maidstone Borough Council within that period

It is vital that as many local people as possible write to Maidstone Borough Council to object to this inappropriate and environmentally disastrous development on our doorstep – if approved, there is no doubt that the proposed, huge KIG complex will adversely effect every single one of us!

The Parish Council have, therefore, prepared the attached returns card for your convenience should you wish to object to this application.  You only need to sign the card, add your name and address, affix a postage stamp and put it in the nearest postbox.  
You may, of course, wish to write your own letter or make your views known at
KIGcomments@maidstone.gov.uk but however you do it -

PLEASE  DO  IT  TODAY!

At Broomfield and Kingswood we are one of fifteen member Parishes of the unique Joint Parishes Group formed to oppose the KIG development and which represents approximately 23,000 local residents living near and around the site of the proposal.  The JPG has supplied additional information to be found on the reverse of this page, please read it carefully and join with many other local people in opposing the KIG Application – your individual representation is very important as numbers and weight of public opinion counts!  

You can also find further information and view the planning application by visiting the following websites:  www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk    and    www.stopkig.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER

   Sue Wotton  Parish Clerk (Jan ’09)


Kent International Gateway Joint Parish Group

Clerk – Mrs Sherrie Babington

4 Birkhall Close, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, ME5 7QD

Tel & Fax: 01634 867173

Email: s.babington@softhome.net

_____________________________________________________________________________

Kent International Gateway Public Consultation

The planning application for the Kent International Gateway has entered a further public consultation period following the submission of additional details to Maidstone Borough Council.

The proposed site for the Kent International Gateway Rail Interchange is 112.3 hectares in area. Thurnham Lane is at the west and Junction 8 of the M20 is at the east. The site is bounded on the north by the M20 motorway and in the south by the railway line in Bearsted. If the application is approved then the impact on our local community and road network will change this area beyond recognition.

The consultation period runs from 9th January 2009 until 6th February 2009.

The additional details regarding this planning application are available for you to see at digitalmaidstone.co.uk. They are also available at the Town Hall, the council's reception in the Maidstone Gateway, King Street, Maidstone, and at libraries.

The Joint Parish Group is strongly opposed to the proposals for a Rail Freight Interchange in the area. We urge all residents to submit their individual objections to the Borough Council. It is essential that MBC receive as many representations as possible opposing the application. The volume of objections will strengthen the fight against the application.  

If you have previously objected to this application it is important that you make further representations. Your letter can simply refer to your previous objection and confirm that this still applies.

If you have not previously objected, then please ensure that you do not miss this opportunity. We must unite in fighting this proposal and it is essential that MBC receive an overwhelming number of objections to the planning application. Please make individual representations, any adult living in the property has the right to make a personal representation. Your representation need not be lengthy, it can be a simple statement such as, the environmental impact of this proposal is so damaging that I wish to record my objection to this planning application.

Representations should be sent in writing to Steve Clarke, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent , ME15 6JQ or quoting reference MA/07/2092 by email to KIGcomments@maidstone.gov.uk.  

ACT NOW – DON’T MISS THE

OPPORTUNITY  TO HAVE YOUR SAY

DEADLINE TO RESPOND IS 6TH FEBRUARY 2009.



___________________
___________________
Kingswood
Maidstone
Kent
ME17 ____

_____________ 2009

Mr Steve Clarke
Maidstone House
King Street
Maidstone
Kent ME15 6JQ

Dear Mr Clarke,

Re:  MA/07/2092 - Kent International Gateway Rail Interchange

With regard to the above Application, I / we wish to register my / our strong objections for the following reasons:

(i)         The environmental damage and destruction for ever, of over 112.3 hectares of prime, green belt Kentish countryside and wildlife habitat

(ii)         The close proximity of the proposed development to neighbouring, rural villages, in particular Bearsted, Thurnham and Hollingbourne

(iii)        The 24 hours a day, 365 days a year huge increase in traffic movements, primarily heavy goods vehicles, and the associated and inevitable traffic jams and delays on the M20, Junction 8, the M20 / A20 roundabout and the A20 Ashford Road into Maidstone and other, already busy surrounding routes including the A249, A229, B2163, Willington Street, etc. and in / around Maidstone

(iv)        The heavy increase of other traffic associated, including staff and services

(v)        Serious noise, air, light and water pollution

(vi)        Risk of serious fire and / or explosion

(vii)       Requirement of additional housing for large number of on-site, 24 hours a day staff

(viii)      Potential for additional, heavy demand on local emergency services

(ix)        Additional, heavy demand on public health services, including Accident and Emergency, Doctors, Dentists, etc.

(x)        Additional demand for local school places, both Primary and Secondary

(xi)        _________________________________________________________

(xii)       _________________________________________________________

(xiii)      _________________________________________________________