It’s at this time of year that we tend to assail you with news of what a busy year it’s been for CPRE Kent.
Well, of course it has been a hectic year and there is precious little sign of things slowing down any time soon. We are, as ever, involved in any number of battles and campaigns in the effort to keep Kent a county in which it is fit to live.
However, this is a time of good cheer, so this year we won’t dwell on that. Instead, we’ll just point to a couple of victories from 2019 – one local (although with a far wider context) and the other on a national level – and leave you to enjoy what will hopefully be a lovely, peaceful Christmas and happy New Year.
The Court of Appeal verdict on Pond Farm, Newington, confirmed the refusal of a Gladman Developments scheme for up to 330 homes and an ‘Extra Care’ facility at the site but, arguably more significantly, stressed the importance of air quality in planning decisions. The impact of this success should be felt far and wide.
Nationally, we saw a victory over the ill-begotten bid to fast-track planning in relation to fracking applications through Permitted Development Rights, which had been intended originally for such matters as household conservatories and patios.
So, you see we can turn some things around. We won’t win every battle, but we can win some. And if CPRE Kent and our allies aren’t around to fight them, who will be?
Happy Christmas and thank you all for your support of CPRE Kent!
PS: As a special treat, we’ve included some shots from the CPRE Kent Christmas lunch.
Monday, December 23, 2019
