Slum attack over the science park

Cllr Keith Ferrin (Con), who represents Swale West and is a member of Kent County Council’s influential cabinet, has heaped damning criticism on the proposals for 5,000 homes at Kent Science Park.

Speaking before tonight’s public meeting to discuss the highly controversial, multi-million pound proposals, Cllr Ferrin said: “The whole scheme is horrendous. It is about twice as big as it needs to be to support the science park. It is the modern day equivalent of the slum.

Expansion

“ I am in favour of the science park’s expansion, but there are twice as many homes proposed as would be needed to supply jobs there.”

A detailed map of the scheme complete with housing locations has been produced by engineering contractors, Baptie.

It shows new houses strectching from the science park off Ruins Barns Road, Sittingbourne, down to the A2 at Bapchild. Proposed woodland belts, open space and a country park are included, as is the proposed new junction off the M2.

Cllr Ferrin is also unhappy at the planned infrastructure.

“The report shows a minimal single road network which is nothing like that previously published.” he said.

In a report to county councillors, KCC’s regeneration and projects officer George Chandler said a lesser figure of 3,000 houses could be viable.

And he criticised the park’s plan to reduce reliance on the car by more than 30 per cent: “It is a hugely ambitious target beyond that actually achieved anywhere else in practice.”

This article and photographs are used with the kind permission of The Kent Messenger Group