We'll take fight to Downing Street

25 Oct 2006
OPPONENTS of Kent Science Park's plans would be prepared to go to Downing Street to make their feelings known.

There was also support for the idea of a protest march expressed at the public meeting in Tunstall, arranged by resident Sue Sills.

The village hall was packed for a presentation by members of the Five Parishes' Opposition Group, formed to fight KSP's proposals on behalf of people in Bapchild, Bredgar, Milstead, Rodmersham and Tunstall.

The new chairman of the group, Monique Bonney, said: "I don't think there was anyone there who was not sup-porting the Five Parishes' Opposition Group.

"The main concern is the loss of the countryside and additional traffic.
People are worried that even if improvements are made, there will be more cars, so the situation will be worse, not better.

"People from Ruins Barn Road have particular concerns about what would happen to their road."

Monique said there was a strong feeling the development was being planned for the wrong side of Sittingbourne, and that people were feeling swamped by the volume of new homes proposed.

There was also disquiet expressed about the type of housing and its density, particularly the number of one or two bedroom apartments or flats.

Monique said one reason KSP was even being allowed to consider expanding is due to the lack of vision for the future of the town centre.

"If we had businesses located in the town centre, we would not have to think
about greenfield development, and the same goes for housing. The town centre should be regenerated first."

An added bonus was the evening raised about £200 from donations, that will be ploughed into the campaign. More people also signed the group's petition opposing the KSP plan. Opposition group members will also be in Sittingbourne town centre collecting signatures for their petition on the first two Saturdays next month, November 4 and 11.

Monique said: "More and more people in Sittingbourne feel they are going to be detrimentally affected, and more and more are saying they would be willing to help us."

Group members are also taking their petition door-to-door throughout the five parishes.



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