Helen Whately MP said she was “outraged” that Maidstone council was trying to “rush through” four controversial planning applications, including one for commercial development at Junction 8 of the M20 at Hollingbourne.

Mrs Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, said she had “grave concerns” that Maidstone might approve the plans before they had been examined at a public inquiry as part of the Local Plan process.

Maidstone has scheduled the applications for a meeting of its planning committee tomorrow (Thursday) night, starting at 6pm in the Town Hall.

Mrs Whately said: “One of the developments will obliterate a protected green area which acts as a buffer between urban Maidstone and the countryside.

“Another is a commercial development at Junction 8, which I have consistently opposed.”
Mrs Whately has spoken to the Planning Minister, Brandon Lewis, to ask whether these decisions can be delayed.

“I am adamantly opposed to the Junction 8 development, which will damage the countryside and be detrimental to Leeds Castle...” - Helen Whately MP

She said: “I’m outraged that Maidstone council is rushing these proposals through at short notice, just weeks ahead of the public inquiry into the local plan.

“It’s particularly unhelpful to do so just after the EU referendum, when many people will be preoccupied.

“It is the council’s responsibility to ensure that local communities have their say on developments that will affect their lives.

“By jumping the gun and bypassing a public inquiry, the planning committee is denying the people of Maidstone borough that chance.

“I am adamantly opposed to the Junction 8 development, which will damage the countryside and be detrimental to Leeds Castle.”

Mrs Whately said: “The council must do more to find alternative sites for employment land.
“I am also very concerned about the sheer number of houses being built onto local villages, like Langley.

“So many new houses, all at once, affects the village character and will make the traffic problems around Maidstone even worse.”

The MP said: “I recognise we need more housing locally, but as I have said so many times to Maidstone Borough Council, the numbers need to be sensible. We need investment in infrastructure and the public need to be properly consulted.

“The rush to get these applications approved this week goes against all of these.”