Kent Wildlife Trust "shocked" by misrepresentation in Sittingbourne Highsted Park planning inquiry

Kent Wildlife Trust has been left "shocked and deeply concerned" after learning that the developer  has wrongly cited the Trust as a stakeholder in the proposed 8,400-home Highsted Park development in Sittingbourne and are calling for the record to be set straight.

The planning inquiry opened on 11th March and was five hours into the proceedings when Evidence was submitted by Mr. B. Sutherland, stating that stakeholders such as Kent Wildlife Trust had been engaged. After this, during the developer's presentation,  the applicant claimed they were "working with Kent Wildlife Trust to create an educated landscape" and cited involvement in habitat enhancement efforts. 

Emma Waller, Planning and Policy Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: "We wish to be absolutely clear, Kent Wildlife Trust has had no engagement with the applicants regarding the Highsted Park proposals beyond submitting formal consultation responses objecting to both applications. Any assertion that we have been involved in shaping or supporting these plans is entirely false and misleading." 

Kent Wildlife Trust firmly refutes developers claims saying the only involvement the organisation has had with the project has been in lodging formal objections in 2021, 2023, and 2024, citing ecological concerns. 

Adding to their concern, the Trust are keen to highlight that Cromers Wood Nature Reserve, managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, has been included in some of the applicant’s materials as part of efforts to make the scheme appear ‘greener’. The Trust stresses that the nature reserve is entirely separate from the proposed development and that the developer has neither sought nor obtained permission to include it in their illustrative materials. 

"The inclusion of our name and our nature reserve in this way is wholly inappropriate and misleading," continued Emma Waller. "This could easily give decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public the incorrect impression that we support or have contributed to this development, when in fact we strongly oppose it." 

Given the seriousness of this misrepresentation, Kent Wildlife Trust is calling on the Planning Inspector to: 

• Formally acknowledge that the Trust has not engaged with the applicant and that statements to the contrary are inaccurate.
• Ensure this misrepresentation does not influence decision-making.
• Recognise that the inclusion of Cromers Wood Nature Reserve in the applicant’s materials is misleading and does not imply any association with Kent Wildlife Trust.

Kent Wildlife Trust remains committed to protecting wildlife and wild spaces in Kent and urges transparency and accuracy in the planning process. The charity stand with the Five Parishes Campaign Group in opposing the plans. 

How you can help 

Those wishing to support the campaign can donate to the Five Parishes fundraiser.
Sign up for Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Speak Up For Nature’ newsletter.
Join the Trust as a member.  

Photo credit to Sally Smith