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The Parish Council has responded to the Government's consultation on reforming the National Planning Policy Framework.  We argue for revision of housing targets, prioritising brownfield sites and greater input from local communities. Read our letter HERE

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Eden Real Estate Group has now lodged an appeal against the refusal of their application to build 10 (but, we understand, ultimately 50) houses on land to the East of Lynsted Lane.  The final decision will be made by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, based on a review of written submissions.  Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council has submitted one final letter of objection, which you can read HERE

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One of our residents has analysed Imperial College modelling (for DEFRA) at postcode level along Greenstreet, the section of the A2 London Road that borders the parishes of Lynsted and Teynham.  

The model shows all addresses be in exceedance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Imperial College’s use of colour bands corresponds to the deciles in which our addresses fall when compared to the national picture.  So purple means that we are in the worst polluted addresses in the country.  Red takes you down one level of “deciles” into the second worst addresses on the national scale and so on.

Because of the topography along the London Road (single thoroughfare, increasing levels of traffic, complexity leading to congestion as people navigate junctions, parked cars, van deliveries, etc) we are suffering an increasingly harmful set of conditions.  Made much worse where the historic pattern of development means most of these homes front directly onto the A2.  Therefore, no mitigation is possible.

To explain how to interpret this data, take the first entry as an example:  Claxfield Farmhouse, London Road ME9 9PX.

Pollutant one:  PM2.5

At this address, the annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 is 10.68mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/m3.

Nearly a fifth of strokes are attributed to exposure (for a year or more) of PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 10mcg/m3.

PM2.5 can also cause asthma, jeopardize lung functions and promote cancer.

Pollutant two:  PM10

The reading for PM10 at this address is 17.56mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 15mcg/m3.

Cardiovascular mortality increases by 0.76% and respiratory mortality by 0.58% for every 10mcg/m3 increase of PM10.

PM10 can cause wheezing, bronchitis and reduce lung development.

Pollutant three:  NO2

The reading for NO2 at this address is 13.01mcg/m3.  The WHO limit is 10mcg/m3.

Long term exposure to even low levels of this toxic gas increases mortality rates and contributes to the development of asthma, and other respiratory issues.

See the analysis  HERE

 

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The Parish Council has responded to SBC’s consultation on air quality.  The proposed action plan to 2028 includes more car clubs, more electric vehicle charging points and to better connect town centres in order to provide public transport, walking and cycling options.  However, we believe the proposals are both unambitious and undeliverable.  
 
We have an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA 5) in Lynsted/Teynham where three harmful pollutants already exceed the safe levels set by the World Health Organisation.  Yet the Borough Council is suggesting the revocation of AQMA 5 - despite the fact they don’t even measure two of these pollutants. Particulate Matter can cause asthma and bronchitis, reduce lung development and promote cancer.  
 
Our view is there should be a moratorium on all planning proposals between the Eastern side of Sittingbourne and Ospringe, in order to halt the increased numbers of vehicles causing pollution in our Parish.
 
You can read our response to the consultation HERE
 
Our analysis of air pollution at post code level in the Parish can be viewed via this link:
 
 
If you wish to participate in the survey, the deadline is this Sunday (15th).  You can find the survey here:
 
 
 

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The grant we receive to help keep the streetlights on will be halved over the next two years - and then abolished completely - if Swale Council’s budget proposals are approved.  Streetlights accounted for 47% of our budget this year.  Without this grant, we might not be able to maintain them properly or, at worst, we’ll have to switch them off given the soaring price of electricity.  This would have a serious impact on road safety at night in our Parish.
 
Swale Council have launched a consultation on their 2023/2024 budget proposals, in response to the increased costs they’re facing, and would like to hear views from residents.  You can participate here:  https://swale.gov.uk/news-and-your-council/consultations/draft-budget-consultation
 
Sittingbourne News have covered the story today.  Article HERE

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Quinn Estates have revised their two applications to build what is now a total of 8,400 new dwellings plus commercial space North and South of the A2.
 
The way the planning system works is that, even if you've already commented, you have to write in again.  Otherwise it is assumed the re-submitted plans address any concerns you've raised.  
 
Click on these links to view the new plans for Land to the West of Teynham (Northern site) and Highsted Park (Southern site).
 
Where you have commented previously, all you need to do is refer to your earlier correspondence.  If nothing in the latest submissions makes you change your mind, you can simply state that you continue to object to - or support - these plans. 
 
If you haven't expressed your views before, reading what other people have written can help frame your response.
 
You can log in to the planning website (as above) and submit your comments online, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - more information on how to have your say can be found here
 
If you wish to comment on both applications, you will need to write in twice - quoting the relevant reference number.
 
 
Below are the summary comments submitted by Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council on 22 December.
 
 
 
Highsted Park
Whilst we note the slight reduction in the number of residential dwellings, nothing in this revised documentation alters our fundamental objection to this sprawling destruction of best most versatile farmland.  According to DEFRA, this area is classed as Grade 1 and we need to protect agricultural land for UK food production.  Important landscapes that residents cherish must be preserved.  The Government has made clear that brownfield development should be prioritised over greenfield.  Swale Council must make the case on behalf of the Borough for fewer new houses to be built than currently planned, based on projected local population growth and infrastructure constraints.  We do not need, nor can we accommodate, this volume of new housing which will have adverse environmental and ecological impacts.  We already have a chronic shortage of GPs in Swale and the construction of buildings for medical facilities does not result in the recruitment of doctors and nurses.  There are also major concerns about the additional strain on local water supplies, as well as drainage.  We reiterate the objections raised in our letter dated 26 October 2021 and our position has not changed.  
 
Land to the West of Teynham
This application would bring over 2,000 more vehicles to the area, but building new roads does not mitigate the problems of traffic congestion - they attract 40% more traffic before a single extra house is built.  There are three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) between Sittingbourne and Ospringe.  Poor air quality can cause asthma and respiratory inflammation, as well as promoting cancers and affecting lung development in children.  Existing pollution across the wider A2 area, but especially in the AQMAs, would be severely exacerbated by the applicant’s plans.  The scale and location of this development would impact the farmlands and our ability to produce local food, as well as adversely affecting the historic setting and landscape of heritage assets.  It would result in an amalgamation of Teynham and Tonge parishes with the settlement at Bapchild and the edge of the Sittingbourne developed area.  This is in direct conflict with the designation of Important Local Countryside Gaps to avoid coalescence, in order to retain the character and identity of villages and rural settlements.  We reiterate the objections raised in our letter dated 26 October 2021 and our position has not changed.  
    

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An amazing 400 metres of native species hedgerow has been planted in Lynsted, on farmland off Nouds Lane.  

Over time it will mature into a valuable wildlife asset.  In-hedge trees will grow up to full height every 20 to 30 metres which will provide good navigation points for bats.
 
Fifteen different species were planted including field maple, downy birch, dogwood, cherry plum and buckthorn.
 
It’s a great selection that will offer sustainability with climate change.  It follows the planting of the Millennium Hedge in Cambridge Lane, Lynsted that had a similar spread of native trees and is still thriving.

This was a joint initiative between the local farmer and Trees for Farms, which aims to plant new hedges as a way of creating a species-rich habitat for wildlife and to increase biodiversity.  You can see the team of volunteers at work HERE
 
Trees for Farms have created around 1500 metres of new hedgerow in the local area since 2020.  This equates to a total of 7000 trees.
 
The complete list of plants and sundries for the Nouds Lane hedgerow is itemised below:
 
Acer campestre 20-50cm 240,  Field Maple

Betula pendula 20-50cm 15, Silver Birch 

Betula pubescens 20-50cm 30, Downy Birch 

Carpinus betulus 10-30cm 225, Hornbeam

Cornus sanguinea 20-50cm 195 , Dogwood

Corylus avellana 20-50cm 240, Hazel

Euonymus europaeus 20-50cm 15, Spindle

Malus sylvestris 20-50cm 60, Crab Apple

Prunus cerasifera 20-50cm 180, Cherry Plum 

Quercus robur 10-30cm 15, Oak - standards 

Rhamnus cathartica 20-50cm 60, Buckthorn 

Rosa canina 20-50cm 210, Dog rose

Sorbus aria 10-30cm 180, Rowan

Sorbus torminalis 20-50cm 15, Wild Service tree - standards 

Viburnum opulus 20-50cm 180, Guelder rose

Cane 90cm Plus 

Treebio spirals 

30 x Recycled tree guards 
 

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Your Parish Council has been working with KCC Highways to try to slow down traffic in Lynsted and Kingsdown.
 
Village gates have been installed in Kingsdown and we continue to negotiate for a 30mph speed limit here.
 
In Lynsted, 30mph repeater signs have been installed and 30mph roundels have been painted on the road from the A2 on the first bend after initial houses, at Cambridge Lane, at Hillbarn House, between Bogle Lane and Swedish Houses, between Swedish Houses and the school, and at The Vallance.
 
One of the new roundels and repeater signs can be viewed HERE
 
A “Pedestrians on Road” warning sign has been installed at HalfAcre House.
 
Another “Pedestrians on Road” sign should be installed early in 2023 by the New Graveyard.
 
Broken reflective bollards from the New Graveyard to Claxfield Lane have been reported and should be replaced in the New Year.
 
We are also negotiating with Kent County Council for a “rumble strip” before the Swedish Houses.
 
Further improvements being discussed are:
 
•  a 20mph speed limit between Swedish Houses and The Vallance
•  warning/painted lines “narrowing” the road from Toll Lane to the Lynsted village gate.

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At a meeting of Swale Borough Council last night, our Parish Council chairman tabled a question addressed to the Leader. He asked for reassurance, given the delay to the Local Plan process, that all inappropriate and non-allocated speculative planning applications would be refused in order to protect our precious green spaces.  He also requested a clear timetable for public communication and engagement in advance of the next Regulation 19 consultation.  A transcript of the questions and answers can be viewed HERE
 
The draft Local Plan had previously included 1,400 new houses in Lynsted and Teynham, an area lacking in facilities and infrastructure as well as suffering from high levels of traffic congestion and poor air quality.  It was also proposed to construct a bypass over agricultural land in Lynsted which would have split the Parish in two.