Latest news

The largest privately owned network of science and technology parks in the UK has been put up for sale by the Mars Pension Fund.

Mars, along with fund manager LaSalle Investment Management, has put a £95m price tag on the five-strong portfolio in what will be a litmus test for investor interest in the sector.

Kent Science Park joins assault on Council with plans for 400 new houses

The Kent Science Park is the latest in a long line of speculative house builders to have a pop at the Borough Council’s Local Plan which allocates housing sites until 2031.

Expanding science park 'will create thousands of jobs'

An average of around 10 jobs a month will be created over the next 20 years under plans to expand the Kent Science Park.

Science Park hoodwinks public with false employment growth claims

As the Kent Science Park cooks up yet another growth plan, this time projecting the creation of a further 2,550 jobs over a 20 year timeframe, it would appear that they have got in a muddle over their previously claimed employment figures.

Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne to reveal 20-year masterplan this weekend which it says will create 4,150 jobs

A business park will reveal a 20-year growth plan this weekend which it hopes will create 4,150 jobs.

Secretive Plans for New Motorway Junction Fast Tracked as Top Priority

Plans for the speculative new £20 million junction are set to leapfrog all other transport priorities in Swale including the completion of the Northern Relief Road and improvements to Stockbury Roundabout.

The case for major expansion of the Kent Science Park has certainly not been proven.

First we had planning applications for new buildings, then before these were let and some still haven’t even been built, there was a urgent requirement for expansion beyond the security fence to retain Ecologia and service interest from potential new tenants.

Rural roads to suffer if Southern Relief Road is built

New evidence only made available today as part of the consultation exercise expels many of the myths surrounding the Southern Relief Road including the so-called benefits to the rural road network.

Success claims highly questionable

Recent press releases from the Kent Science Park would have you believe that the park has been successful despite the downturn in the economy, with a number of new tenants taking residence. However only a year ago the park had reported a massive drop in the number of tenants based at the park down from 84 to just 60 companies.

Failure to attract new tenants put down to access issues.

Swale Borough Council has reported that it is their understanding that the Kent Science Park’s failure to enact on previously agreed planning applications is due to the lack of access.

Expansion of the Kent Science Park highly unlikely in the next 20 years according to Swale Borough Council

The Council have stated that inclusion of the Kent Science Park within the Core Strategy is a significant risk which could undermine the Core Strategy itself, as deliverability and therefore soundness of the plan as a whole would be compromised.

Costing in excess of £100 million to create just 1,250 local jobs by 2056 is the Sittingbourne Southern Relief Road worth it?

With traffic relief to the town centre its major selling point, and most of the surrounding network predicted to get far worse can this road even be justified on transport grounds?

Bad news for Swale as the Borough Council predicts that only a third of jobs will go to locals

As the Borough Council weighs up the evidence for expanding the Kent Science Park, it is revealed that in line with the traffic modelling projections, the prediction is that a vast majority of the planned jobs would go to people from outside Swale.

Finally the evidence that exposes the myths surrounding the benefits of the Southern Relief Road

We can finally put to bed some of the myths that a Sittingbourne Southern Relief Road will be a significant factor in regenerating Swale’s fortunes.

'No more relief roads for another 20 years'

THERE will be no major congestion-busting additions to Sittingbourne's road network over the next 10 years, it has been suggested.

Relief road plans lead to clash over congestion

BUILDING the Sittingbourne Southern Relief Road (SSRR) will not necessarily stop congestion in the borough.

Costly M2 link is ‘not the answer’

A SITTINGBOURNE Southern Relief Road (SRR) will not stop traffic congestion increasing in the borough over the next 20 years, according to the newest computerised transport model.

Swale Borough Council has officially backed the Kent Science Park proposed route for the Southern Relief Road

Even though many Councillor’s present at the LDF panel meeting last Thursday had no prior knowledge or involvement in the decision making process, it appears that someone in the Council had agreed to limit the scope of the traffic model to four alternative routes all of which were drawn up by the Kent Science Park themselves.

The Southern Relief Road is dead in the water

It was interesting to observe the commentary from Councillors on the LDF panel following Thursday’s unveiling of the second run of the long awaited transport model.

We're not big on massive expansion in our town

A PROTEST march against what campaigners describe as "monstrous expansion plans for the town" attracted more than 100 people.

Protest march over Kent Science Park expansion plan

Campaigners have taken part in a protest march against plans to expand the Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne by more than 100 acres (40 hectares).

Apologise for your 'dirty trick'

A GROUP fighting against plans to expand the Kent Science Park (KSP) is demanding an apology after claiming its name has been smeared by the site's director.

Protest group's march attack on 'monstrous' housing plans

HUNDREDS of people are expected to take part in a protest march against plans to build thousands of new houses and a major road in Sittingbourne.

Shock at 'dirty tricks' by science park head

A GROUP opposed to Kent Science Park expanding into the surrounding countryside says it is the victim of a "dirty tricks" campaign.

Knock on effects of Pfizer closure

It is difficult to place a figure on the full financial fallout of Pfizer's decision to shut its Sandwich site

Dirty tricks as false rumours are circulated

We are given to understand that rumours have been circulated regarding the Five Parishes Opposition Groups objectives in campaigning against the Kent Science Park expansion proposals. The rumours suggest that FPOG would wish to see the Kent Science Park closed down.

Protest march against road and houses plan

The Five Parishes Opposition Group (FPOG) believes Swale council's proposals will see thousands of unnecessary houses being built across Sittingbourne as well as a new link road in the next 20 years.

Council leader supports Science Park housing

Cllr Bowles comments in this week’s East Kent Gazette provide an interesting insight into the substance of both the Councils supporting evidence and arguments for the housing numbers being proposed in the Core Strategy

Glimmer of light behind Pfizer's dark cloud

The decision by Pfizer to close its base in Sandwich serves as a harsh reminder of the world we currently live in.