by political editor Paul Francis

Kent County Council has confirmed it wants to shift the site of its proposed Operation Stack lorry park off the M20 because of concerns over flooding.

Council chiefs insist the site is no larger than originally envisaged but say they now want to build it over an area likely to bring it closer to potentially sensitive sites and buildings - among them Evegate Manor, the Grade 1 listed building.

A report setting out how the authority intends to measure the possible environmental impact of the park says the original area has now been extended “to include a further area west of Park Wood.”

The news will alarm local residents and campaigners, as the proposed location of the 70-acre park would take its boundary beyond Park Wood up to Station Road near the Evegate Business Centre and to the A20 to the south.

In a statement, KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter said: “There is a possibility that there may be marginal changes to the sie boundaries to satisfy the Environment Agency and the Highways Agency. The size of the site required is little different and the number of lorries we would park at 2,300 is still the same.”

KCC’s report underlines the potential impact, detailing how there are 31 sites within a 2km radius of the site that are either historically, archeologically or environmentally sensitive.

Among them are eight listed buildings; six areas of ancient woodland; eight historic parks and gardens; four Conservation Areas and one area of Special Scientific Interest. Seven of the listed buildings are all within 500 metres of the centre of the site.

Although none of these alone would necessarily prevent the park from being constructed, planning policy requires local authorities to take steps to protect the historic environment and in the case of ancient woodland - such as Park Wood - not normally give planning permission.

Ian Plowright, a Smeeth parish councillor, said: “There is a lot of confusion being caused by this report. KCC should be ready and willing to listen to local concerns and answer questions.”