Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Watch our report on the
campaign and hear from campaigner Brian Clifford

by Alan Smith

Kent International Gateway is preparing to downsize its
controversial application for a road/rail freight interchange, it
was revealed at a pre-inquiry meeting.

The scheme is likely to see the company, backed by the
international finance giant AXA, reduce the size of the proposed
warehouses by up to 73,000 sq feet of floor space. The two largest
warehouses would be cut back, and two of the smaller warehouses
combined to make one. There are also likely to be reductions in car
parking.

The reduction may sound large but
equates to less than two per cent. The overall size of the KIG
scheme remains unchanged at 112.3 hectares, equivalent to
12,087,900 sq ft.

However, the full details are not
known, because KIG is making the planning inspector, Maidstone
council and the many objectors wait until July 5 before it
officially submits the changes. It is also holding back details of
a new environmental study it has commissioned on the proposal until
that date.

The last minute changes angered the
various residents' objectors groups present at the hearing on
Friday.

Richard Ashness, of StopKIG, told the inspector it was
unfair that there was "yet another modfication of the application
at this late stage in the process".

But the planning inspector Andrew
Phillipson said it was KIG's case that the changes were "entirely
beneficial", and that in any case the application was only
outline.

Mr Ashness said afterwards: "KIG
keep changing their case. Their first submission was based on the
need for a strategic rail depot; their second submission was based
solely on the problems of the Dover rail corridor. Their third was
only on the need to reduce the carbon footprint.

"Now again they appear to be
shifting the target. What are the implications of smaller buildings
on the business plan, the traffic flows? All the previous studies
may now be outdated."

Richard Knox-Johnson, of
CPRE Kent, warned: "All the
consultants will have to be re-consulted. This is just racking up
the costs for the council, the highways authorities, everyone."

The inquiry proper will begin on
Tuesday, October 13.