Whitstable councillors oppose new development

Whitstable Labour councillors have today submitted their opposition to the proposal for 220 extra homes South of the Thanet Way in Whitstable. The proposal has been submitted by developers hoping to take advantage of the fact that the council are in ‘special measures’ and must favour development unless it is unsustainable. A development of on this site would traditionally be opposed.

Speaking on the application Cllr Kenny said that the area doesn’t need “a sprawling car-dependent estate” which risks important green space and does little to “raise the quality of life for all residents. Infrastructure in our town is creaking and allowing for unfettered development here will change the character of our small town forever”.

Their submission, shown below, raises particularly concerns about the transport modelling which doesn’t account for the additional car journeys made by people to and from both the small supermarket and 300 car park and bus facility. The transport modelling already highlights extended queues along the Thanet Way will be a regular occurrence under proposed scale of house building in this area – but Labour believe their calculations do not truly acknowledge the scale of the problem.