News Release

Kent International Gateway consultation

Much of the long awaited missing information on the Kent International Gateway has now been received and Maidstone Borough Council will be consulting local people, statutory and other consultees about the new details.

The new information submitted by the applicant includes:

· A supplementary report on freight, rail and demand for the facility;

· Supplementary information on alternative sites that have been considered (and rejected) by the applicant;

· Supplementary transport information;

· Supplementary information on the socio-economic impact of the development, including labour supply and employment creation and densities;

·  A fully detailed tree survey of the entire site;

·  Further ecological information including the impact on watercourses, further bat surveys, a breeding-birds survey, a great crested newt survey, a water vole survey and a habitat balance sheet.

·  Revisions to the original environmental statement showing the proposals in their context, ecological habitats and mitigation areas to illustrate further the ecological connectivity across the masterplan as well as off-site mitigation proposals;

·  An agricultural land classification report assessing the quality of the land within the site;

·  A health impact assessment; and

·  An outline site security strategy.

The outline planning application for a rail/road freight interchange including warehousing, offices and light industrial units was submitted in October 2007.  At the time the council wrote to 3,000 people who live near the 112 hectares site close to junction 8 of the M20 at Bearsted.  It will be writing to them again to give them an opportunity to comment on the new details.

It will be writing to the 2,400 people who have commented on the application at any time since 2007.  Their views will be considered but they can add to or amend their comments based on the new information.  Local people have until 6 February to comment on the new information.

The council will also consult about 60 statutory and other organisations about the new details.  And it will take an advert in the local press and put up another 40 public notices.

The council has put all the planning application documents on its website - digitalmaidstone.co.uk - look for the KIG link on the home page.  The application is also available for inspection at the Town Hall, at the council's reception in the Maidstone Gateway, King Street, Maidstone, at libraries and from parish councils in the areas affected by the proposal.

Everyone can comment on the application in writing to Steve Clarke, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ or by email to KIGcomments@maidstone.gov.uk.

If no further new information is received from the applicant the earliest that Maidstone's Planning Committee could determine the planning application is April 2009.  The committee will consider the application in a large venue so that as many people as possible will be able to attend and hear the debate.

Date:

January 7, 2009

Ref:

RJA/090104