What has the public consultation said

Swale Borough Council has undertaken extensive consultation, in addition to those undertaken by the team behind Highsted Park, on both applications, a large number of responses have been received, raising the following points:

Support for the need for more housing and affordable housing in the Sittingbourne area
Loss of Trees and Woodland
Support the completion of the Northern Relief Road
Negative Impacts on Conservation Area
Support infrastructure led development, providing schools and health facilities
Support the Southern Relief Road and new Junction 5a and see the significant benefits to the wider area
Impact on quiet rural lanes
Support the creation of more jobs at the expanded Kent Science Park
Support new homes that are of a high level of environmental performance
Objection to the completion of the northern relief road
Concerns over lack of GP and health facilities and poor existing infrastructure
Concerns over light pollution
Concerns over lack of GP and health facilities and poor existing infrastructure
Loss of countryside and harm to rural character
Inadequate water supply

Closing countryside gaps
Support new provisions for sport and open space
Support as the proposal includes
Negative impact on Archaeology
large areas of land for nature
Contrary to local plan and premature
Traffic Impact and parking
Concerns over flood risk
Air pollution
Negative impacts on biodiversity and habitat
Impact on School places
Loss of Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land

Image from a completed Quinn Estates development

As well as engaging with local people the applications have undergone extensive consultation with national, regional and local bodies, including:

Swale Borough Council
Kent County Council
National Highways
Natural England
Historic England
Environment Agency
NHS Kent & Medway
Sport England
Network Rail
Southern Water
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Downs AONB