The final decision on KIG - the Kent International Gateway - could rest on a Kent MP.

Greg Clark, the MP for Tunbridge Wells, is working in the government department that will decide whether the 285-acre road-rail freight depot near Bearsted will go ahead.
He said this week that the KIG file is likely to land on his desk and that he will use his influence to ensure the verdict is given as quickly as possible.

Mr Clark has described himself as the minister for “people power” in the department for communities and local government.

Taking charge of decentralisation, his role will be to decide which powers should be given up by central government.

A key element will be giving people more say on building plans in their area.

During the fight against KIG, many campaigners argued that local people, not the government, should decide whether it can be built.

Mr Clark said: “I cannot comment directly about KIG because it could prejudice the decision. No doubt it will come across my desk soon.

“It is still early days but I am aware the planning system is often too slow. I will use my influence to have this decided as soon as possible.

“We do think that in general there is too much centralisation and decisions are not in the hands of local people."

Mr Clark said reform of the planning system could happen quickly.
He has already won his personal campaign to stop “backyard development”.

Mr Clark’s belief that gardens should not be considered “brownfield” sites has become government policy, meaning councils will have more power to stop developers overcrowding sites.

He is also opposed to housing targets and other rules being imposed on areas and says he is opposed to regional bodies like the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

He said: “The South East covered Tunbridge Wells to Milton Keynes. What those areas have in common it is hard to see. To be forced into a regional area that no one recognises is wrong. If Kent and East Sussex want to work together jointly then it is a matter for them.”

KIG is a road-rail freight depot planned to cover 285 acres of countryside in the North Downs near Bearsted. The plan includes giant warehouses, a rail siding and a new road network. Lorries would access it near junction 8 of the M20, at Leeds Castle.

The plan is opposed by StopKIG, a coalition of 15 parish councils and Maidstone council.

A public inquiry was held into the plans last year and the inspector made his recommendation in March but it was kept on file pending the general election result.

His recommendation is now in the in-tray of the new secretary for communities and local government, Eric Pickles.