27 September 2010 – Proposals for the creation of a new town at Chilmington Green could pose a significant risk to the area’s natural heritage – and to the quality of life for local people, said Ashford’s Green MEP in a letter to Ashford Borough Council today.

In his formal submission to the Scoping Opinion consultation on development plans for Chilmington Green (1), a hamlet which sits on the edge of the Kentish Weald, Keith Taylor, the Green Euro-MP for Ashford and the South East, said:

“I am concerned by the prospect of permanently losing valuable greenfield land to development. Not only would the existing Travellers’ site be lost, but also irreplaceable wildlife habitats for protected species.

“I will be anxious to see whether or not the plans satisfy the requirements of EU laws, like the Habitats Directive, which have been put in place to protect our natural world from unsustainable development.”

Keith acknowledged the need for new housing in the region, and said he was pleased to see the provision of affordable housing included in the Chilmington Green proposals. But he warned that the proportion of affordable properties was insufficient, and said it was possible that the adverse impacts of the development would outweigh the benefits.

The MEP continued: “I share the view that development on the overall scale proposed could and should be accommodated on brownfield sites within the town centre. I would be interested to know what surveys have been conducted into previously used land which could be brought forward for development.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

(1) Ref Application10/00005/EIA/AS Scoping Opinion – Land at Chilmington Green