Activists seek £25k to fight housing scheme

An appeal for funds to back a £25,000 judicial review against the south Canterbury Mountfield Park development has been launched by two environmental campaigners.

Emily Shirley, from Bridge, and Michael Rundell, from Wincheap, are challenging the recent approval of the 4,000-home scheme on the grounds of air pollution.

Proceedings have already been lodged against the secretary of state for communities and local government for failing to call-in the Corin- thian Land application.

The campaigners say air pollution in Canterbury already kills around 100 people a year prematurely, and they estimate the development could increase traffic by 28,000 vehicular movements daily in the city – leading to even more loss of life.

Mrs Shirley said: “The air-quality limits in Canterbury are in breach of UK and European law.

“There isn’t even an up-to-date, adopted air-quality plan for the district as required by law.

“The secretary of state is responsible for ensuring compliance.

“It is unacceptable that the government turns a blind eye in this case when it has just been told by the High Court to sort out air pollution nationally with effective air-pollution reduction plans.”

But city council spokesman Kathryn Hearnden said: “It is very disappointing that we will have to use taxpayers’ cash on this when we would far rather spend it on services for residents.

“We will be fully supporting the secretary of state’s decision not to call in this application to ensure there are no delays in the implementation of this important development for the residents of Canterbury.”

Ms Hearnden added that the council was conducting a complete revision of its air-quality action plan, and that a draft would go out to consultation in spring.”

Anyone interested in donating to the judicial review campaign should email climaterecovery1@gmail.com.