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Video: The first
day of the KIG inquiry

by Alan Smith

Hugh Robertson MP was given a
standing ovation during the opening scenes of the public inquiry
into KIG.

Mr Robertson (Con) said
he was taking the “extremely unusual” step for an MP of addressing
a planning inquiry because of the enormous postbag he had had from
his constitutants.

He said: “I have never
experienced anything similar in nearly a decade as this area's
Member of Parliament and, looking back in the constituency records,
even the Channel Tunnel Rail Link did not generate the same amount
of hostile constituency correspondence.

“It is an extraordinary
feature of the Kent International Gateway proposal that not a
single elected representative, at any level or of any political
party supports this application."

Mr Robertson pleaded with
the inspector: “If the views of the local people, and their elected
representatives, count for anything at all, please refuse planning
permission.”

The inquiry
resumes on Wednesday when three of Maidstone council’s expert
witnesses will give evidence.

~ Read a full report from day one on the
Kent Messenger website >>>