Local Tory Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson, last week put representatives of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) on the spot by asking them to guarantee that the number of dwellings planned for the new development between Queenborough and Rushenden would not rise beyond the current planned figure of 2000.

 

Mr Henderson raised the issue during at a presentation by SEEDA of the Queenborough & Rushenden final masterplan at The Gateway, Rushenden Road, Queenborough on Thursday 3rd December 2009.

 

Mr Henderson said:

“A number of local residents have expressed concerns about the number of dwellings planned for the area because they are worried that the development will change the very nature of historic Queenborough and that the Island’s existing infrastructure might be unable to support such a large housing estate.

 

“I pointed out to the representatives from SEEDA that the original master plan, which was published less than five years ago, was for a marina development of 850 dwellings. Since then the figure has increased to over 2000 homes and I asked SEEDA for an assurance that this figure would not increase if the economic situation deteriorated any further.

 

“Unfortunately, SEEDA were unable to give me that assurance, which worries me slightly. I am sure that many local residents will be horrified at the prospect of an even larger development on their doorstep.

 

“I did point out to SEEDA that my idea of regeneration differs somewhat from theirs. I believe that regeneration should be about improving what already exists, however, SEEDA seems to believe that regeneration is a way of building more and more new homes!”

 

Gordon was joined at the presentation by local Kent County Councillor, Ken Pugh