Parish Council Camellia, Dunn Street Road, Bredhurst ME7 3NB

Medway Council By email

6th July, 2021

Planning Application - MC/21/1296 | Outline Application (with all matters reserved except access) for the erection of up to 450 market and affordable dwellings, nursery and supporting retail space up to 85sqm, with provision of main access to Ham Lane; estate roads; cycle and pedestrian routes; residential and community open space and landscaping; new junction for Lidsing Road/Hempstead Road and realignment and widening of Lidsing Road. Off site related highway works to Westfield Sole Road, Shawstead Road, Hempstead Road, Chapel Lane, Hempstead Valley Drive, Hoath Way roundabout, Hoath Way and M2 Junction 4 - Re- submission of MC/19/0336 | Gibraltar Farm Ham Lane Hempstead Gillingham Medway ME7 3JJ

Bredhurst Parish Council objects to this application.

It will have a huge detrimental impact on Bredhurst as traffic movements through the village will dramatically increase. Commuters travelling to Rainham Rail Station will use Forge Lane, The Street and Road. No mention has been made of the large Kings Ferry commuter coach park on the outskirts of Bredhurst (where Maidstone Road joins The Street) that will also generate additional traffic through Bredhurst. Similarly, the nearest country pub to Gibraltar Farm is The Bell, Bredhurst plus there are two car repair garages and a primary school which will also generate additional traffic from this proposed development.

The travel data provided shows no local knowledge of how people actually use the existing road network or any understanding of the impact additional traffic movements will have. Bredhurst is already used as a “rat run” and is very congested at peak times.

There are traffic calming measures throughout the village and an increase in traffic along Forge Lane is a particular concern as the road is narrow with no footpaths or street lighting and regularly used by schoolchildren. This additional traffic flow will pass the local primary school where early morning congestion is already a problem.

The additional noise and pollution will also be detrimental to Bredhurst residents. There are many livery stables throughout Bredhurst and any increase in traffic is of great concern to all horse riders in the area.

The applicant is naive in his belief if he thinks that a few changes to some road junctions will solve the horrendous traffic problems his development will cause. Traffic through Bredhurst, especially at rush hour, is already dreadful. Forge Lane is dangerous with the existing volume of traffic and it is unimaginable what it would be like should the current levels be significantly increased.

Bredhurst is in an AONB and, in addition to our main concern regarding traffic implications we feel this development will spoil the rural character of our village and the surrounding areas. Also the cumulative effect should be taken into account regarding Mr Attwood’s other on-going applications for the area – 650 houses at East Hill plus a possible 2000 houses at Lidsing. If all developments go ahead Lordswood, Hempstead, Wigmore, Bredhurst and all surrounding areas will be unrecognisable. We urge you to refuse this application.

Yours sincerely

Melanie Fooks Locum Clerk - Bredhurst Parish Council Tel: