'East Hill development highlights the need of having a valid local plan' - say Medway Liberal Democrats
image: Alan Wells
Medway Liberal Democrats are disappointed at the Planning Inspectorate's decision that allows the appeal against Medway Council's decision to refuse planning permission for 800 homes on East Hill. Terrible news for all who have campaigned against developments in the Capstone Valley area for the last few years.
John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said ""Capstone Valley is hailed as Medway's green lung. Creating 800 new homes in East Hill which is adjacent to a nature reserve, would have a detrimental impact on the surrounding environment and drastically change the face of the rural area. The development at East Hill will cause harm to a number of species and the nature reserve which is home to Orchids and will destroy an area of locally valued landscape.
East Hill demonstrates, that Medway is vulnerable to unplanned, ad-hoc development, which will not deliver the benefits achievable through planned growth. This will now result in destroying the character and beauty of the countryside. the decision will set a precedent for further development in the area and the loss of more countryside space. The right local plan would aim to make Medway a more environmentally sustainable place, with integrated planning, providing healthy, successful places for people to live in. While we accept the need for additional housing, particularly affordable housing, it must be in the right places.
Medway's local plan is not about individuals or any single group. It is about the whole of Medway and protecting and enhancing our town's for future generations. We are therefore calling on the council to consider the impact of any decisions will likely have on Medway and to take into account the democratic process to make the right informed decisions on how to progress with the local plan.
Done positively, and in the right way, the local plan can benefit and make the best of future housing and development opportunities. It can protect what is unique and special about Medway while meeting the needs of families, businesses and young people."
East Hill highlights the importance of having a valid local plan. It provides the basis for a considered and strategic approach to housing, employment and other forms of development for our area, and so governs planning applications and wider planning matters. For this reason, Medway Liberal Democrats are asking the council how has it arrived at this point where Medway is left without an up-to-date, sound policy framework thereby undermining Medway's wider development strategy. "
ENDS