UPDATE RE: Outline Planning Application to provide up to 300 dwellings

DITTON PARISH COUNCIL HAS TODAY RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TONBRIDGE AND MALLING BOROUGH COUNCIL THAT THE AREA 3 MEETING THAT WAS DUE TO TAKE PLACE ON 21ST MARCH 2019 AND AT WHICH OUTLINE APPLICATION TM/18/02966/OA [DITTON EDGE DEVELOPMENT] WAS TO BE DISCUSSED AND DECIDED, HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF SUBSTANTIVE ITEMS OF BUSINESS. THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS ASKED WHEN THIS APPLICATION WILL GO TO THE COMMITTEE AND WILL PUT A NOTICE ON THIS WEBSITE AS SOON AS IT IS CONFIRMED.

THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS ALSO SUBMITTED A FURTHER RESPONSE TO THE OUTLINE APPLICATION AS BELOW:-

Planning Application TM/18/02966/OA – Response from Ditton Parish Council

As the result of a Public Open Session at a Meeting on 14th January 2019 held by Ditton Parish Council regarding the Ditton Edge Development, which was packed with local residents, the Parish Council heard many various concerns.

People with personal and individual concerns were advised and encouraged to make their personal representations directly to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Planning Department.

The Parish Council supports the main issues of concern of residents as below :-

The road infrastructure from the development provides little alternative from the existing highway link, used by current Ditton residents including their ancillary vehicle movements. Turning North into Kiln Barn Road following through to New Road in order to meet the A20 about half a mile away . This stretch of highway, which contains a ‘hair pin’ bend, is a narrow carriageway within a totally residential area. The road is apparently unclassified with parked vehicles outside of residential properties along New Road on the approach to the A20. Ditton Church of England Junior School where certain children suffer from the effects of vehicle omission pollution (Asthma), is also sited along this stretch of road. At this point, during school opening and closing times the level of traffic is particularly heavy.

The link on to the A20 is controlled by traffic lights which allows only a few vehicles to exit New Road at a time, which, even currently, causes a regular build up of vehicles, the alternative route on to the A20 is via a ‘rat run’ through St Peters Road and Bradbourne Lane which is a totally residential area with on street parking. This stretch of road twists and turns through the estate and is located close to the school. The Highway in this area is also unclassified.

The development scheme would have a disastrous affect on the road usage as it is estimated that including residential and all ancillary vehicles some 1500 additional vehicles journeys would take place along the half mile from the development to the A20 and return on a daily basis. There is no logical scheme to improve the existing situation to meet the demand, or indeed solve the entry and exit from the A20. The new development would be estimated to increase the local unclassified road use by more than 200%.

It is estimated that the excessive increase in traffic movements would also vastly attract the ancillary problems of road use in relation to queues, accidents and traffic offences along Kiln Barn Road, New Road, St Peters Road and Bradbourne Lane.

The environmental impact associated with the vast increase in vehicle use would have a devastating effect on the current residential properties, school and popular recreational areas.

The sewage system and water supply to and from the new development would struggle to cope if linked to the current system.

The plan for the new development does not include essential services such as doctor’s surgery, dentist, and school which the local facilities of such are currently over stretched for the existing residents

The development would cause the loss of quality agricultural land, be harmful in ecology terms and create a negative visual impact on the rural lane, the countryside surrounding the village, and existing residential properties and its vastness would ruin the traditional layout and attraction.

The change of use of the land for residential housing is not set out within the Borough’s Local Plan for the consideration of development and it is confusing as to the change of thought of inclusion in the recently submitted plan particularly when there are many negative issues to overcome at this particular location.

At present, this area of land is not officially earmarked for development and is shown as agricultural land.

It would be premature to allow the development pending the draft plan going through the public examination procedure. To do so would undermine the Local Plan procedures , including proper considerations of the objections raised.

Information from KSL PLANNING at the Environment agency states - apparently, the proposed development site is located upon Hythe Beds, which is a sandy limestone and ‘hassock’, which is loose sandstone. We all are aware after previous ‘horror stories’ that sink holes can easily develop within Hythe Beds.