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Group appeals for help in funding planning battle over Highsted Park

Home / Blog / Group appeals for help in funding planning battle over Highsted Park
13
Jan


The Highsted Park proposals for 8,400 homes and expansion of the Kent Science Park has become the focus of the mainstream media as a ‘test case’ for the new Government’s house-building programme for some weeks now with numerous articles in the national press, radio and TV.

A spokesperson for the Five Parishes’ Group told us

“In November 2024 the decision by Swale Borough Council to refuse planning permission for the above schemes was overridden as Kevin McKenna, Labour MP for Sittingbourne & Sheppey, when he requested, they be ‘called in’ by Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP.”

“McKenna fully supports the proposals and by taking the decision-making out of local hands, work is now underway to prepare for a lengthy and expensive Public Inquiry in March 2025.”

“Nationwide, speculative developers, local authorities, MPs, planning consultants and residents facing similar large-scale housing proposals will be focused on this Inquiry and the Inspector’s decision.” 

“The parishes and its residents are determined to fight these two devastating applications, and we have been granted Rule 6 status which officially gives us the right to participate in the public inquiry and make your voices heard.”

The Five Parishes’ Group was established over 20 years ago to act as the voice for residents in relation to the plans for a large-scale expansion the Kent Science Park and the development of thousands of houses. 

It advocates sustainable development and environmental preservation in the Swale area.  Committed to defending local interests, the group accepts balanced growth that respects the character and resources of the surrounding countryside. According to planning guidelines and policy.

The Highsted Park project is in fact two separate but related schemes, one north of the A2 between Bapchild and Teynham, consisting of 1,250 homes, the completion of the Northern Relief Road, commercial space, one primary school and one south of the A2 between Bapchild and the Kent Science Park, consisting of 7,150 homes, a Southern Relief Road, commercial space, hotel, three primary schools and a secondary school and a new tip.

Many of us have first-hand experience the impact mass-housing has on an area and the strain it puts on our services and infrastructure. It is worth noting that with all the new housing development which has been delivered in Sittingbourne over the last few decades, not a single new school has been provided, we have less doctors and doctors’ surgeries, and public transport is in decline.

The strategic case for the new so-called relief roads is unproved and currently not supported by Highways England, Kent Highways, KCC and Swale Borough Council.

Together the schemes will swallow a whopping 1,668 acres of high-quality agricultural land currently used for food production.

The Five Parishes’ Group spokesperson added

“For nearly 20 years, residents have backed the Five Parishes’ Group efforts to prevent the proposals succeeding.  The fight is nearing conclusion.  We appeal to the amazing generosity of residents to help fund our participation at the Public Inquiry.”

“If you are able to help with a donation, please visit our website www.fiveparishes.org.uk where you will find details on how to make a donation on the bottom of the homepage.”




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