Local plan meeting

Over one hundred villagers from Milstead, Bredgar, Bapchild and Rodmersham turned up at Rodmersham Village Hall this morning to fill in their Local Plan forms.

If you weren't able to turn up, you can obtain forms (you need seven copies) from my office at 5 London Rd Sittingbourne (477277); we will post them out to you if that helps. You only have just under three weeks left to send them back.

I met Clare Hutchins from Rodmersham Parish Council last Thursday and she brought me up to speed with how the five Parishes (those above plus Tunstall) are combining together to fight the KSP proposals. I'm sure your local Parishes will be in touch with you. I'm also aware that Lynsted look likely to oppose.

I had a robust discussion with my local Labour group yesterday evening. I have asked them to reflect on the need:

** first for a University

and

** secondly to weigh up how many jobs would be created for our citizens at an enlarged Science Park if we need high density housing to pay for the road.

Several of you suggested that as the plans for KSP are so advanced and appear to have been agreed by Swale Borough Council that the decision has been made by the ODPM already. I will find out whether this is the case over the next couple of weeks as I shall be asking a series of Questions on the Order Paper in the House of Commons.

I am still awaiting a response from Cllr Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, leader of KCC.

Derek Wyatt MP