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More on KentOnline
Residents angry at the possibility of farmland being turned into a housing estate have stepped up their campaign – for the second time.
Fruit farmers AC Goatham and Son, who want to build 1,250 homes on 126 acres of orchards off Pump Lane, in Rainham, are appealing against Medway Council's decision to throw out the scheme.
The plans sparked a massive wave of protests with more than 3,000 people venting concerns about over-development of the rural area, noise, pollution, loss of wildlife and traffic congestion.
With the housing threat re-emerging, a steering group has issued a video entitled "Don't Let This Be The Last Harvest – Save Our Orchards".
Members are urging Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti to lobby the housing and communities minister Robert Jenrick, stressing the loss of valuable agricultural land.
Kate Belmonte, from the steering group and a member of the Green Party, said: "We feel enough is enough. This would be the destruction of yet another green space in Medway. We are appealing to people of all political persuasions to fight against this.
"In August we started a Facebook group with the sole purpose of bringing together all Medway residents who have simply had enough. The group is slowly growing in size and we welcome all."
Ms Belmonte, who lives in Twydall, said they were focusing on another poster and banner campaign in the area and were liaising with Medway Council.
Cllr Martin Potter (Con), ward councillor, said the council –which refused AC Goatham's planning application in June – had already appointed a legal team to fight the appeal.
He said the 3,000-plus objections from the community would be forwarded to the planning inspectorate.
Cllr Potter said: "There is certainly no doubt this will be the most significant decision to impact Rainham in a generation and an unsuccessful outcome would be likely to lead to the obliteration of the entire green corridor between us and Gillingham. So to anyone who hasn't already – please join the fight."
AC Goatham and Son, which has farms across Kent and a base at Hoo St Werburgh, had also applied for a two-form entry primary school, a 60-bed extra are facility, an 80-bed care home, hall and village green.
Nobody from the company was available for comment. Previously, it pointed out Medway had a "real need for new housing" and the "high quality" development would benefit people in the Towns, as well as open up green spaces for the community on what is currently private land with improved footpaths and dog walking routes.
Representations to the planning inspectorate must be made by Monday, November 16 and you can do this online here. Use the appeal reference 3259868.
The full reference is APP/A2280/W/20/3259868, and the Medway Planning reference is still MC/19/1566.
