Residents’ futures at stake say opponents

‘Why should existing residents have to breathe in poisonous toxic fumes?’

Environmental campaigner Emily Shirley makes no apology for holding up the Mountfield Park development with her legal challenge.

And that is because she fiercely believes the future of the health of Canterbury residents is at stake.

With a city already in breach of government air quality guidelines, she dismisses the developer’s “zero traffic effect” ambitions through offers of electric buses and bikes.

“I’m not interested in the developer’s position who, let’s face it, is there to make lots of money,” said Mrs Shirley, who lives in Bridge and hasn’t owned a car for 25 years.

“They aren’t building houses for people who live in Canterbury, anyway, but for people in London who will sell their swanky houses, move to Can- terbury and use the high-speed line.

“It’s for the city council and the government not to permit unhealthy communities to stay unhealthy and add to that.

“Why should existing residents have to breathe in poisonous toxic fumes, especially the young?

“The city council should not have granted permission for the homes while the city’s air quality is already failing guidelines.”

“But it is the government that is ultimately responsible for compliance of air pollution law and they have failed again

Environmental campaigner Emily Shirley