Science Park's big challenge

His decision to unveil Kent Science Park as the new name for Sittingbourne Research Centre is part of his drive to encourage "sustainable" communities in the Thames Gateway.

But the renaming revealed in last week's Kent Messenger could trigger massive change for Bapchild and Rodmersham, villages close to the park and proposed new roads.

Bosses say KSP could attract a further 1,000 hi-tech jobs over the next few years, and a cash injection of more than £20m.

They want to double the size of the site by not only expanding business premises and laboratories but also giving the go-ahead to up to 1,000 homes.

The growth plan includes a new £10m road link with the M2 and a southern relief ring road costing about £30m from the M2 to Bapchild, running north of Rodmersham.

This could lead to the creation of a new village community north of Rodmersham and the growth of Bapchild.

Mr Prescott said KSP was an exciting project that brought together homes and jobs.

But his Labour colleague Derek Wyatt, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheerness, is concerned about the implications for villagers, including himself.

In a letter to constituents, he said: "As I live in Rodmersham, I must guard against being accused of nimbyism while still balancing the needs of the wider community. I think we need to reflect long and hard about the implications of these plans."

Meetings are to be held on Wednesday at Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne, and the following day in Rodmersham Village Hall at which Mr Wyatt will be present.

"I would be happy to meet streets, groups or parish councils with concerns," said Mr Wyatt.

Andrew Bull, of KSP advisers LaSalle Investment Management, who presented Mr Prescott with a commemorative microscope to mark the change of name, said: "KSP will put Sittingbourne on the map as a place for science and cutting edge research. It's very exciting for Sittingbourne." 

This article is used with the kind permission of  Kent Messenger, 19 March 2004