Wednesday’s session continued the evidence of Bruce Bamber, highways expert for the Teynham & Highsted Community Action Group, followed by testimony from Cllr Monique Bonney of the Five Parishes Opposition Group.
Key points from the day:
Bruce Bamber (for the Teynham & Highsted Community Action Group)
- 🔮 The Inspector asked whether technological change — like e-bikes — could make forecasts obsolete over the development’s 20-year build-out.
- 🗣️ Mr Bamber replied that planning must be based on evidence, not optimism. As set out in paragraph 116 of the NPPF, forecasts must be reasonable and grounded in reality — not wishful thinking.
- 🛣️ When asked why he hadn’t modelled the volume of rat-running on Lower Road, he explained that he had tried to work with KCC and National Highways, but was repeatedly rebuffed.
- 📚 He also confirmed that the applicant had not followed TRICS guidance, which requires a clear, evidence-based approach to modelling traffic.
Brendan Weaver (for the Duchy of Cornwall)
- 🚗 Brendan Weaver (for the Duchy of Cornwall) added that:
- The critical Brenley Corner junction was not assessed until very late. It now shows 300 extra vehicles per hour at peak time, but no mitigation is proposed.
- The applicant’s proposed timeline for the motorway junction is unrealistic. He estimated between 6 and 9 years before it could open — including at least five years for planning and a minimum 18 months for construction.
- 🔐 He argued no homes should be built until the junction is operational.
- 🚌 He also pointed out that the applicant’s estimates of bus journey times are misleading, because they ignore walking, waiting, and detours compared to direct car routes.
Cllr Monique Bonney (for the Five Parishes)
- 🗣️ In the afternoon, Cllr Monique Bonney gave evidence for the Five Parishes Opposition Group:
- 🚧 She questioned the traffic modelling around Church Street in Rodmersham, particularly given the proposed new primary school nearby.
- 🚫 She argued no housing should be built before the motorway junction and relief roads are complete.
- 💔 She spoke of the emotional and financial distress caused to residents since 2021, with many unable to sell their homes.
- 🚉 She criticised KCC’s management of bus provision, noting that the County Council hasn’t even applied to unlock existing Section 106 funds for services.
- 🚌 “Before COVID, Bapchild had four buses an hour. Now we have just one.”
- 🚶♀️ She said modelling has ignored pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrian users, and warned of more car travel if, for example, the site shrinks its employment area to make way for more healthcare facilities.
- 🌉 She raised major concerns about the proposed Tonge rail crossing, which would stand up to 9 metres high in places — about one-third the height of the massive Sheppey Crossing — plus lighting and visual intrusion.
- 🌿 She strongly opposed the proposed culvert through a chalk stream in a conservation area for the Northern Relief Road — calling it “a substantial piece of infrastructure in an internationally important habitat.”
- 🔀 She criticised the Southern Relief Road, noting that the sheer number of junctions would disrupt the flow of traffic. She also highlighted that key design drawings are still missing from the application.
In summary
- 📌 Day 25 revealed how the Highsted Park proposal is built on over-optimistic assumptions and inadequate modelling — with serious risks to local communities, natural habitats and transport resilience. Local voices continue to call for the plans to be rejected.
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