Protesters prep for legal fight
Protesters campaigning to stop 2,000 homes being built on fields on the outskirts of Maidstone have raised £20,000 so they can launch a legal battle against it.
Bredhurst Parish Council has stepped up its campaign to oppose Lidsing Garden Village, which has been included in Maidstone Borough Council’s
Local Plan Review.
It has launched a GoFundMe page to meet the expected £26,000 legal bill it will incur by engaging a London planning barrister to fight their case when the scheme comes before a public inquiry later this year.
An enthusiastic response from villagers has already brought the total to more than £20,000 in five weeks.
The parish council has been protesting against the idea, which it says will “concrete” over the rural area, north of Bredhurst, and will result in the construction of a spur road to reach the M2 across an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The proposal also includes 14 hectares of employment land, 1500m2 of retail and leisure space and a new primary school.
Those who are against it are worried it could open the floodgates for development in Capstone Valley.
Bredhurst Parish Council chairwoman, Vanessa Jones, said: “Donations are pouring in. The amount raised already shows the strength of feeling residents have against Maidstone’s proposals.
“Yes, we need more housing, but in the right place and with the right infrastructure.
“Lidsing has neither. Fortunately our barrister feels there are fundamental flaws with Maidstone’s plan.”
Senior councillors in neighbouring Medway have previously expressed anger at the plans, which they say have been “dumped” on their doorstep.
Cllr Jones agreed, saying: “It would bring havoc to all the communities from Rainham, Hempstead and Lordswood to Bredhurst and Boxley.
“While Maidstone will receive the council tax from the new occupants, it will fall to Medway to providell the services.”