We are The Action Group: a coalition of five parish councils—Doddington, Lynsted with Kingsdown, Newnham, Teynham, and Tonge—united in opposition to the proposed Highsted Park development.
Friday 11 September Recap: The Secretary of State is considering the two major Highsted Park planning applications for land to the south and east of Sittingbourne and to the west of Teynham. These proposals feature 8400 new homes and major new infrastructure. The decision on the planning applications is now being made at Government level. …
Read more “Submissions received. Feedback requested by 25 September 2026”
Tuesday 8 September 2026 The Action Group has submitted its response to the Secretary of State on new material relating to the Highsted Park applications. We explain how the emerging Swale Local Plan and revised national policies affect issues examined at the Inquiry, including strategic development, viability, heritage settings and landscape. No decision has been …
19 August The Action Group has received two letters from the Government’s Planning Casework Unit providing an update on the two Highsted Park planning applications following last year’s public inquiry. A brief summary is provided below, with copies of both letters available on our website. The Secretary of State has now received the Planning Inspector’s …
The Planning Inspector has submitted her report to the Secretary of State. A decision is expected by the end of September 2026.
The Action Group and the Five Parishes Group have written to the Secretary of State raising concerns about the appearance of predetermination in relation to the Highsted Park applications (PINS: APP/V2255/V/24/3355313 & 314). The letter requests transparency and disclosure to ensure the called‑in planning decision is made solely on the basis of the inquiry evidence and properly …
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Action Group. Your support enabled us to present strong, independent community concerns at the Highsted Park Inquiry. The donation page is now closed. A decision is expected later this summer, although timing is not fixed and may extend beyond this. We will review next steps once the …
The Action Group’s representation raises concerns over inadequate healthcare contributions, low affordable housing provision, weak relief road obligations, delayed GP services, and unclear community facility commitments, urging stronger safeguards, enforceable delivery, and alignment with local policy to protect residents and infrastructure. Read the response here.
The public inquiry into Quinn Estates’ 8,400-home Highsted Park scheme has ended, bringing to a close what is believed to be the longest housing-led inquiry ever considered by the Planning Inspectorate. Swale Council, parish councils, and community groups—including the Teynham and Highsted Action Group—mounted a detailed case outlining the scheme’s unacceptable impact on landscape, heritage, …
Today, Wednesday 29 October 2025, the Action Group and the Five Parishes Group presented their closing statements to the Highsted Park Planning Inquiry. The closing statement from the Teynham and Highsted Community Action Group and the Five Parishes Group urges the Inspector and Secretary of State to refuse permission for the proposed Highsted Park developments. The Groups argue that …
Thursday 2 October 2025 The Inquiry resumed on 2 October after a two-month break over the Summer and is scheduled to conclude on 31 October. Cllr Julien Speed addressed the Inquiry on behalf of the Action Group. He was answering questions put to him by the group’s barrister, Simon Barnes, on the written proof of …