Anger over Large Burton

Thank you for printing the article in last week’s edition which outlines how Kennington residents have called for an inquiry into the way that Ashford Borough Council approved the hugely unpopular and inappropriate 725-home Conningbrook Park estate.

This estate is being built on Grade 1 agricultural land that fronts an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The motion to approve was won by a single vote with every member of the Conservative Party pushing it through.

However, the Conservative councillor Gerald White, a local resident who understands residents’ concerns, was prevented from attending the meeting. This is deeply troubling given the fact that 1,100 residents objected to this scheme. Government guidance prohibits voting along party lines on planning committees.

I would like to add my name to those wishing to protest against the building of these houses. Why was the one Tory councillor who appeared to be on the side of residents, not permitted to do so?

We are calling for higher levels of transparency in local government to reflect residents’ concerns.

This development is a very bad idea for Kennington, we have a beautiful and valuable area of fantastic countryside on our doorsteps, the walk across to Wye from the current developments at Spearpoint/Conningbrook takes a mere 30 minutes now and new development will bring human contact so much closer and bring an inevitable conflict to an already dwindling area of irreplaceable habitats.

Jane Ellis

More letters, pages 50 & 51