Swale Borough Council is bitterly disappointed in Kent County Council’s decision to press ahead with the £38 million Housing Infrastructure Fund bid for further housing dependant on junction changes to Grovehurst and Key Street.
This decision was not taken in conjunction with Swale Borough Council, and does not have the council’s support.
As was made clear in the bid itself and in reports delivered by the then county cabinet member for transport Mike Whiting, the Housing Infrastructure Bid expects the delivery of “housing that otherwise would not have been built, resulting in additional new homes” and is designed to “accelerate housing delivery”.’ It is also, as mentioned in other documentation, an opening to Garden Village-style proposals.
Cllr Mike Baldock, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for planning, said:
“Local public opinion is soundly opposed to the Garden Villages approach, and even more housing in the borough, so it’s bitterly disappointing the county council have made this decision.
Despite Kent’s decision, we want to reassure residents that this council will not sign any undertakings to ‘accelerate housing delivery’ and will resist attempts to force through a failed housing model that clearly does not have local support.
This decision makes our struggle against such irresponsible development much harder, but there is a clear intention from certain quarters to push ahead with 1,000s of extra houses in our area regardless of local opinion.
We will continue to work towards a sound Local Plan based on sustainable local developments that address the environmental concerns of local residents. Despite the barriers others put in our way, we will not be bounced into delivering unacceptable housing numbers and more car-reliant dormitory estates.”
Swale Borough Council
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