Richborough Development
A HUGE WIN FOR FRINDSBURY EXTRA
We are absolutely delighted to share that the planning appeal for application MC/25/0006 for 800 homes at Lower Rochester Road, Wainscott has been DISMISSED.
This is a fantastic result for our community and would not have been possible without the incredible support and dedication of so many people.
A heartfelt thank you to every resident who took the time to object to the application. Your voices were heard, and they truly made a difference.
A very special thank you goes to our Chairman, Cllr Chris Sparks. Chris gave up eight days of his personal time to attend the appeal, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and spend many more hours working through thousands of pages of legal and technical documents to ensure every aspect of the proposal was thoroughly understood and challenged. His dedication, commitment and determination have been exceptional.
Thank you to our Parish Councillors, who invested countless hours researching the proposals and preparing a strong, evidence-based objection.
Thank you to Medway Council and their legal team for their professionalism and hard work throughout the appeal process.
The Planning Inspector, Nick Fagan, concluded:
"The adverse impacts of the development are substantial, as are the benefits of delivering the above mixed housing. But these substantial planning harms would significantly outweigh the benefits of the new housing development proposed. This is especially so because the importance of providing accessibility to such a major housing site by sustainable transport modes would not be achieved, contrary to current and proposed national as well as local planning policy. Indeed, this reason alone (irrespective of the landscape harms) is significant enough to outweigh the identified planning benefits, such that planning permission should not be granted."
While we recognise this is unlikely to be the last challenge our Parish faces in opposing major unsustainable developments, today is a moment to celebrate. This decision is a significant success and a testament to what can be achieved when residents, councillors and partner organisations work together with determination and a shared commitment to protecting our community.
Thank you to everyone who played a part. Together, we've shown that our community's voice matters.
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Frindsbury Extra Parish Council has submitted an objection to the proposed Richborough Development MC/25/0006. As part of the objection were made aware that although Richborough were proposing improvements to the four Elms roundabout with a dedicated left turn lane, this has already been proposed and agreed with a signed section 106 agreement from Medway One at Kingsnorth in Hoo, so we are seeking clarification on who will be conducting the works.
See below for the objection, but please be aware the Parish Council has requested as a contingency that if Medway is inclined to approve the development, we will seek section 106 funding for road improvements and funds for a new allotment site which we have set out in the letter. We must raise this at this stage of the planning process, or the Parish Council would miss the opportunity.