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Important action StopKIG.org would like you, as supporters, to take :
Posted : 18/07/2009
A. Write to Maidstone Borough Council objecting to the revised plans and to the Supplemental Environmental Statement. (See points 1 & 2 below)
   
B. Write to the Secretary of State for DEFRA objecting to the application to stop up and divert bridleways and footpaths. (See point 3 below)
   
C. Volunteer to speak at the Public Inquiry (See point 4 and Appendix B)
   
D. Provide photographic evidence which may be used at the Inquiry (See point 5 below)
   
   
1. Please be aware that Kent International Gateway has submitted some revised plans for consideration - click here to view. Even if you have written in response to all our previous requests it is important that you write before 7th August to Steve Clarke, Principal Planning Officer, Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ quoting Appeal Ref: APP/U2235/A/09/2096565, to say whether or not you feel this proposal is now satisfactory to you. “My original objection still stands” is sufficient. See STOPKIG.org’s description and opinion at Appendix A (much of which appeared in this week’s Kent Messenger).
   
2. Kent International Gateway has also submitted a Supplemental Environmental Statement which needs to be studied in conjunction with the original Environmental Statement. It is an extremely long document but essentially does not change STOPKIG.org’s view that the harm caused by the development cannot be mitigated by the proposals. We recommend you make specific reference to this in your letter confirming that your objection on environmental grounds still stands.
   
3. In addition to the above it is vital that you know that a Public Notice was published on Friday 17th July on page 75 of the Kent Messenger. This advises that should planning permission be granted to Kent International Gateway by the Secretary of State following the Public Inquiry then an Order will be made to authorise the stopping up of the whole of bridleway KM81 and lengths of bridleways KM82 and KH123A and the diversion of a length of footpath K131. Unfortunately, therefore, we must ask you to write a second letter of objection, this time to

The Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Casework Team, Government Office for the North East, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4WH,

Quoting reference NATTRAN/SE/S247/80.

The draft Order and relevant Plan may be inspected at Maidstone Library, St. Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH. This letter could include the fact that you walk or ride the footpath or bridleway regularly and have done so for so many years. The Public Local Inquiry into this matter will be held jointly with the main Public Inquiry. This may be last opportunity to save those bridleways and footpaths from being concreted over forever!
   
4. Would you be prepared to speak at the Public Inquiry, which starts on Tuesday 13th October? If so you will need to register with the Programme Officer at Maidstone Borough Council, contact details will be supplied as soon as we have them. However, the Inspector has said he does not want to hear the same issues repeated over, so STOPKIG.org has assembled a list of topics (see Appendix B below) and is keen to find residents to match. It would therefore be extremely helpful to us if you would contact us if you wish to speak. A typed script is recommended and help is available on request. Training in what to expect will be offered in September or early October. STOPKIG.org believes that it is the democratic right of any resident to speak if they wish. There is no time limit but anyone who wishes to speak for any length of time is invited to submit their complete script to the Inspector and just read a summary at the Inquiry. This will be your last opportunity to say what you really think!
   
5. Please take photographs where you believe the view will be particularly ruined such as from your garden, windows etc. particularly now with all the trees, flowers and crops maturing. Other photographs when the leaves are down will also be useful as the views will be longer. These may be useful either for your script if you are speaking or else to the expert witnesses.
   
Please direct any queries you may have to secretary@stopkig.org, telephone 01622 621077 or write to STOPKIG.org, C/O Detling Post Office, Detling, Nr. Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JT
 
   
 
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