Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Campaigners set up fund in bid to halt huge development
‘It was felt the planning committee had completely ignored the wellargued points put by some 20 speakers
A fighting fund is being set up by furious residents to challenge the approval of Canterbury’s biggest ever housing development.
They accuse the city council of “completely ignoring” their arguments and are calling on chief executive Colin Carmichael to explain the “limited” public involvement in the 4,000-home Mountfield Park application.
The scheme on farmland south of Canterbury was approved by the planning committee last month despite protests from more than 20 residents’ groups and parish councils.
However, at a public meeting in Friends’ Meeting House in the city last week, objectors said the council should be made aware of the extent of the anger felt by the community at the way the decision was taken.
They believe there may be grounds for a judicial review of the decision or for an appeal to the Secretary of State to recall the application for a public inquiry, with a fund set up to pay legal fees.
The campaign meeting was chaired by Clive Church, of the Alliance of Canterbury Residents’ Association. Afterwards, he said: “It was felt the planning committee had completely ignored the well-argued points put by some 20 speakers from various bodies criticising many aspects of the proposals.
“Indeed, it seemed as if councillors had already made up their minds on the issue and council officers had failed either to secure promised gains or to negotiate any improvements in the proposals.
“Hence, the development may damage Canterbury’s World Heritage Site while the resulting increase in traffic will lead to further worsening in air quality.”
Campaign members will also be pressing for measures to tackle what they believe could be some of the worst effects of the development, including traffic congestion and the impact the mass housing will have on key views of the Cathedral and city from the surrounding hills.
Mr Church added: “We want to know what steps the council will take to genuinely consult with local people and community groups on future details of the development as they emerge.”
Canterbury City Council refutes the comments and has urged critics to accept the planning decision and not pursue legal action, which it would have to oppose using taxpayers’ money.
Spokesman Rob Davies added: “In recognising that this was the largest planning application Canterbury has ever received, we carried out extensive public consultation and significantly increased the public speaking rights at the committee meeting.
“When taking the decision, councillors had before them a very comprehensive report that dealt with all the issues, and heard a wide variety of views both for and against.
“A thorough debate followed, and while we appreciate that some people did not like or agree with the outcome, it was a decision that was reached at the end of a rigorous and proper process.”
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