Priti launches petition against unsustainable Kings Dene development plans
Witham MP Priti Patel has launched a petition to object to unsustainable and excessive plans to impose a huge new housing development on Kelvedon. The petition's launch follows a meeting between Priti and Kelvedon Against Urban Sprawl to discuss campaigning to protect the village from the harmful development proposals.
As a result of the Labour Government's changes to planning policies and increased housebuilding targets for Braintree District of close to 40%, the Kings Dene site is being consulted on for a development of 5,600 new homes, which would add significant pressures to local infrastructure and public services and cause harm to the environment and a loss of farmland. This consultation is through the Local Plan review being overseen by Braintree District Council, which suggests sites for potential development over the next 15 years and beyond.
Priti said:
"Kelvedon and the surrounding villages have already experienced significant levels of new housing growth in recent years, and these latest proposals are excessive and unsustainable. It's outrageous that the ill thought through changes in housing policy and increased in targets imposed on us will have such a harmful and profound impact on Kelvedon. Those who share these concerns can sign my petition and respond to the consultation.
"This part of Essex lacks the infrastructure to cope with another large-scale development, especially after the Labour Government cancelled the A12 Widening Scheme and the A120 Dualling Scheme. With less capacity for new housing development and an adverse impact on economic growth, investment and job creation, developments on this scale will cause gridlock and huge new pressures on local services including our schools and GPs.”
