Latest news

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.

Group march to stop expansion

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect huge swathes of countryside around Sittingbourne from development are-once again calling on people to join a protest march.

Mass development of Swale’s countryside back on agenda?

The large scale expansion plans have not gone away – they have again resurfaced in Swale Borough Council’s Core Strategy document, supported whole heartedly by Kent Science Park’s management.

A false economy

Evidence provided by Kent Science Park, which Swale Borough Council has used to attempt to justify development options in the Core Strategy document which will ultimately be the subject of a full public enquiry, claims that the park has grown by a massive 14% over the last 2 years.

Expansion without housing is not an option

Mr Speck might wish to distance himself from the housing, but Government policy demands that the new motorway junction has to connect to a major road such as the A2, therefore the KSP expansion plans and the housing are inextricably linked whether he likes it or not.

Swale’s ‘Pick Your Own’ Consultation

Have your say on Council’s plans for the next 20 years. Also referred to as the ‘Council’s Issues and Strategic Spatial Options’ consultation you are invited to comment on all aspects of Swale’s future from housing and employment through to transport.

Study shows that the Kent Science Park has had no impact on Swales’ Knowledge Based Economy

The myth that the Kent Science Park would elevate the Borough’s status in Kent to become the central focus of a knowledge based economy has finally been laid to rest in a specific study from Swale Borough Council.

Landscape Capacity Study casts doubt over viability of large scale expansion.

The land around the Kent Science Park is according to the report highly sensitive, of high landscape value and has a low capacity for change.

Policy Based Evidence Creation – Making the Evidence fit the Policy

Rather than adopting the traditional approach of relying on evidence to support and formulate planning policy it would appear as though Swale Borough Council are adopting policy based on evidence creation in its forthcoming Core Strategy Consultation.

Locate in Kent funded by Kent Science Park

The inward investment quango set up and funded by largely by KCC and the Kent Developers Group a developer lobbying group whose members include LaSalle Investments operators of Kent Science Park.

Late departure for Arrivals Centre

In the summer of 2008 the Kent Science Park promoted its new Arrivals Centre as part of £25 million investment programme to create 500 jobs over a four to five years period. Nearly two years later the Arrivals Centre which gained planning consent on 11th September 2008 has still not commenced. 

Mass development of Swale countryside back on agenda

Back in June 2008 when site manger of the Kent Science Park James Speck stated that “Rural Link road is not part of science park plans.” we knew it wouldn’t be long before the true scale of the expansion plans came to light.

Kent Science Park propose tax on workers to pay for future expansion plans

LaSalle owners of the Kent Science Park have met with planning officers from Swale Borough Council to discuss possible funding options for A2/M2 link road which include a toll on cars entering the science park.

Industry press give damning indictment of Science Park's vacancy rate

Property Week the leading news magazine in the commercial property market, say that Kent Science Park expansion planning consent marred by vacancy.

Keith Ferrin on KSP's real ambitions

Cllr Keith Ferrin discusses why he believes the Kent Science Park is all about money and housing and nothing to do with science.

Gordon Henderson on housing to fund roads

Gordon Henderson explains the danger of using housing to fund roads and how this all went horribly wrong with the Queenborough and Rushenden Relief Road where the developers promises have not materialised.

Council leader Andrew Bowles says members of the public not professionally qualified to speak at planning meetings

During the planning application for the Kent Science Park, Cllr Bowles instructed members of the planning committee to ignore any comments and evidence given by members of the public as they are not professionally qualified.

Déjà vu as Kent Science Park announces 500 new jobs

Déjà vu as Kent Science Park announces that it will be creating 500 new jobs in the next five years. First announced in February just two months before losing 152 jobs...

Councillors misunderstand Ecologia proposals

Councillors stated at the recent planning meeting that Ecologia would be creating 33 new jobs, but initially all they will be doing is moving these jobs from existing offices

Kent Science Park to develop south of M2

The revelation that the Kent Science Park wishes to expand on an even larger footprint than originally proposed five years ago has shocked many people.

Sharpe downturn at Kent Science Park

It is with interest that we note from the latest press release entitled ‘Jobs Figure wrong’ from the Kent Science Park which once again attempts to justify its employment figures, that their employments figures have rapidly deteriorated.

Independent Transport Study condemns expansion plans

An independent transport appraisal of the 4 Hectare expansion plans states that there are a number of significant issues and impacts arising from the proposed development.

KSP admits that park is still largely unoccupied

Kent Science Park has submitted an application to extend the park by 4 hectares beyond the security fence whilst at the same time admitting that the parks occupancy is only 60%.

Swale Jobs for Swale Workers

Only 13% of jobs at the Kent Science Park have gone to people living in Sittingbourne.