Amended Highsted Park Planning Applications

Amendments to the two separate planning applications widely known as Highsted Park have recently been submitted and the applications are open again for comments. The closing date for comments is 1st January 2023. This is your opportunity to give your opinion.

The larger application (Application Ref: 21/503914/EIOUT) lies between the M2 at Milstead (extending to Policeman's Corner) and the A2 at Bapchild. It was originally for 8,000 houses, large commercial spaces situated around the Kent Science Park, a Southern Relief Road and new junction on the M2 within Bredgar parish. The application remains broadly unchanged but with amendments that include a slight reduction in the housing number to 7150. The new M2 junction redesigned to remove one roundabout and have direct slip roads. The schools adjacent to the M2 and Bredgar relocated. The primary nearer to Tunstall and the secondary nearer to Rodmersham Green. The sports fields near Bredgar possibly changed to a green space to the AONB in some documents but still shown as sports fields in others. There is further expansion of KSB to the east but removal of a zone on the west side. There may be a very slight widening of the woodland gap between KSP and M2, retention of Highsted quarry as green space and some widening of green corridors to facilitate more opportunity for flood management. A Household Waste Recycling Facility has been added on the east side of KSP. Please view the application yourself for a complete summary of the amendments.

The smaller application of the two (Application Ref: 21/503906/EIOUT), located between Bapchild and Teynham, is still for 1,250 houses, commercial space and the completion of the Northern Relief Road.

If you wish to comment you can find the full details for both applications on the Swale planning portal https://pa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/, search using the application references (or from the links above).

Your views and comments can be submitted on the planning portal or by writing to:

Mid Kent Planning Support, Maidstone House, King Street Maidstone ME15 6JQ - quote the application reference when responding.

or

Email your comments to planningcomments@midkent.gov.uk - quote the application reference when responding.

This is one of the largest planning applications in Kent and it will directly impact Bredgar Parish in many ways. Therefore the Parish Council encourage all parishioners to have their say, either for or against the application.

Bredgar Parish Council will be reviewing the documents and submitting comments.

BREDGAR PARISH COUNCIL