Protecting our Greenspaces

Myself with Friends of Horsted Valley Campaigners

Planning Proposal Graphic (Click to enlarge)

The Luton & Wayfield Labour team is very worried about the proposed development of the Daisy Banks and the manner in which land is being transferred from the Banks to Luton Primary School, to facilitate an NHS facility which is poorly situated within a dense urban area with poor vehicular access.

The application is that part of Daisy Banks, just as you enter the Valley from Pheasant Road will see 2,500 square meters of the Local Wildlife Site to off set the lose of Luton School playing fields for vehicular access to another development on adjacent undeveloped land (proposed NHS facility) on the other side of the playing fields. The area will be cleared and a 2 meter fence erected.

This will block off existing pathway. The planning statement accompanying the application, agues that it will not in fact ential the lost of open space or impact upon the character of the local landscape. However, in view that the change use is in fact to allow further development, which includes construction of an access road and development of undeveloped land, it in fact mean that a significant area of open space will be lost. It also ignores the significant lost of wildlife habitat which is not compatible with it use as a playing field. Lastly, the planning statement completely ignores that is the primary gateway to the valley and has been used by the public for well over 20 years.

We are working with the Friends of Horsted Valley and local residents to oppose this planning application

Have you or somebody you know been walking Daisy Banks, entering via Pheasant Road for more than 20 years?

Would your be prepared to make a statement to that effect? Please contact the Vice Chairman at andrew401968@yahoo.co.uk

If you wish to make a submission concerning application MC/11/2345, you can do so via Medway Council planning porta, link above or by writing to: Development Control, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR, quoting the reference number MC/11/2345.

Dodgy land-deal unacceptable

On the face of it is a simple application to expand a playing field for local kids (MC/11/2345)

But behind the scenes it is being used to sell-off part of the playing field to the PCT for a new Healthy Living Centre which is not in keeping with the surrounding land.

Residents rejected this idea in 2009 in a deal which would have seen a new school and new health centre. The Council cuts to the school re-build coupled with school assets being potentially seized is a very concerning development.

Why Planning Officers thought they could get away with it is amazing.

Tory planning changes = Development

Capstone Valley could be threatened if Tory planning laws are passed.

It looks like local Planning is once again in the press with the Conservatives in Westminster now proposing to fundamentally undermine the planning system in full favour of the applicant.

Such plans will impact residents across Medway, but particularly in the rural areas of the Peninsula, Cuxton and Rainham. In addition, the development of Capstone Valley and the Conservative Peninsula Airport are far more likely to occur if greenbelt concerns are watered down by the gready and grubby fingers of the building developers, who channel funding into Tory election warchests.

Rochester & Strood Labour have expressed severe concern that rural life on the Peninsula will be put under severe threat by Conservative-led plans to water down planning laws, which could allow large-scale housing development on non-residential land, and threaten the area with an International hub airport, whilst hindering the capability of the public to oppose development.

As this blog has mentioned, Conservatives in Medway have not been open and transparent about the Lodge Hill development which will see a whole tract of the Peninula bulldozed for 5,000 properties.

In addition, Conservatives in Westminster continue to examine the feasibility of an International airport which will destroy the rural community. Already there are concerns around house prices caused by the incapability of Conservative MPs and Councillors to represent your interest to Tory ministers with an ear to the Mayor of London.

The threat of an airport coupled with watered down planning laws will weaken the strength of resident objection and allow Conservatives and their Councillor-supporters in Medway to run roughshod over local opinion and the potential for an airport proposal to increase.

Labour oppose the Conservative Government’s planning planning reforms which could lead to unchecked and damaging development in the undesignated countryside on a scale not seen since the 1930s.New plans published by the Government contain a core presumption that the default answer to development will be ‘yes’. We are deeply concerned that the Government’s proposals will allow developmer considerations to dominate, which could result in a green-light for poor quality or development in the wrong place, threatening the local places valued by Medway residents, while failing to deliver wider benefits to our community.

For decades our planning system has protected much loved places from harmful development. Cameron’s Conservatives and their local representatives are threatening Peninsula life; not only over Boris Island / Cliffe Airport but also on watering down planning laws which restrict the capability of the public to oppose development on this precious rural idyll.

Tories plan Greenbelt bulldoze

Looks like former River ward Councillor - and now Sefton Central Labour MP, Bill Esterson - has been in the press defending our Green belts from Conservatives and there developer friends.

Bill Esterson MP is supporting a huge number of residents in rural Medway and beyond who are outraged that the Tories are proposing to bulldoze our green areas

In Medway, we are seeing the developers and their Tory chums threatening to bulldoze over parts of the Peninsula / Strood Rural ward with a plan for 5,000 properties planned for Medway. Yet as this blog has discovered hardly any residents are aware of the Lodge Hill development.

The Tories are about to waterdown the planning regime in what would make the Prescott changes to planning look like small beer.

For decades our planning system has protected much loved places from harmful development. The Government's reforms turn this on its head, using it as a tool primarily to promote economic growth instead.

We believe in growth – but not at all costs. Planning for people combines long-term growth with other important things like local character and space to breathe, tranquillity and beauty. We need a system that serves all our interests, from commerce to communities.

The Government’s reforms fail this test- they need to stop and think again.

The Government’s planning reforms could lead to unchecked and damaging development in the undesignated countryside on a scale not seen since the 1930s.

New plans published by the Government contain a core presumption that the default answer to development will be ‘yes’.

This blog is deeply concerned that the Government’s proposals allow financial considerations to dominate, which could result in a green-light for poor quality or development in the wrong place, threatening the local places valued by you, while failing to deliver wider benefits to your community.

Send a message to the Tories in Government that planning is for people not for profit. Sign the petition.