22nd December - Day 40 The inquiry opened this week with a resumé of which places had been visited by the inspectors, and those accompanying them, last week. The planned visit to Barking on Friday had had to be postponed due to the snow, and has been re-scheduled for the 14th January 2010. The day then continued with the first Closing Statement from the Joint Parishes Group. Following them was Protect Kent, and the Kent Downs AONB. After lunch, it was the turn of Richard Ashness of STOPKIG to speak. He spoke for an hour, and gave an excellent speech. The last speaker of the day was Mr Howell-Williams QC, representing KCC. 23rd December – Day 41 The day started at 9.30 am with Mr Corner, QC for MBC reading his closing statement. Extending to some 130 pages, it took some 3½ hours to read. After a short lunch break, it was the turn of Mr Katkowski and Mr Litton for KIG to make their closing statement. A little shorter at 90 pages, it took just under 3 hours to read out. All the closing statements will be available to read soon on the Persona Associates website. STOPKIG’s Closing Statement will be put on our website after Christmas. At 5.15pm the Inquiry was formally closed by the Inspector, Mr Phillipson. He then went on to say: ’Ladies and Gentleman, you have given us a lot to think about, and a difficult decision to make.’ He then repeated what he had said on the first day of the Inquiry, that he had not seen so many people attend an Inquiry before, and said that the attendance had continued to amaze him throughout the 11 weeks, especially today, just two days before Christmas. He thanked Brenda Taplin of Persona Associates for her hard work, praised the professionalism shown by the lay advocates speaking, which included Richard Ashness and Brian Clifford of STOPKIG, and also praised the members of the public who had attended, commenting that they had behaved themselves 99% of the time! He wished everyone a happy Christmas. STOPKIG would like to thank all those who supported us by attending the Public Inquiry – your attendance was definitely noticed and the support it gave us was very much appreciated! With Christmas fast approaching we will take a break for a while. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas, and we hope that 2010 will bring us the news we long to hear!