Q. New proposed developments in Coldharbour/Thames Way will take traffic right
through residential accommodation?
A. New junction for A2 is supposed to serve
new station. Need to maximise river and
rail capabilities. Kimberly Clarke
are interested in that and the more that
can be done to take traffic off roads the better. Each application will b e looked at carefully in
terms of implications for putting traffic onto the road,
particularly heavy traffic.
Q. There was talk about improving or
re-locating Rosherville School but no
further mention.
A. KCC withdrew their requirement for a new
school in that area. Cllr Christie
expressed disappointment that the Area Education Officer had not
been communicating with the Head or Governors and would make sure
they contact them.
Q. Commuting issue?
A. We are trying to encourage people to work
and live locally and draw back some of the commuting.
Q. Access to Northfleet Embankment. How are people without cars
going to access facilities?
A. Integration is an important
issue. There is more scope to do that
on the western side. Issues around
shared facilities, improved access and walkways, shared green
space, trying to ensure the new is not separate from the
old. Need to ensure benefits for
existing communities.
Flats: In terms of the market we know family
provision needs to be made and it is very much a live debate and
there has been negotiation in terms of the North West for a move in
that direction.
Ebbsfleet is a key
priority in terms of employment at the moment.
Arriva Garage, Northfleet – Had an application in for
housing some years ago and enquired about re-locating to the land
where the new Police Station has now been built but were told it
was not suitable for a bus garage. It
is crying out to move because it has been expanded. There is a lot of concern with residents about the
noise and pollution and it is time they were moved. Simon Hookway to check whether they have made
representation on the Local Development Framework.
Who is responsible for enforcement of
lorries as it is not working?
Information needs to be fed back to the
Highways Authorities and the Police. It could be an issue we could
take up with the businesses involved as they should be using
specific routes.
What is happening about re-locating the
Football Ground? There is a long list of people locally looking at
sites to relocate. The way to do that
is through the Local Development Framework.
Table 1 issues
- Although land is
becoming available for building new offices and light industrial
sites there does not seem to be much indication of business
growth. Is there anything that County
and the local council can do to encourage new companies? Is there
any funding available? Is there any new money for new skills to
encourage genuine new business because that is what is needed?
- People move out of
new offices once their subsidy runs out so what is the point of
keep building new offices when we already have a lot of empty
office space?
- Open spaces should be
kept for the residents. You now have
new developments at the end of little old roads and yet no money is
being spent on them. Need to ensure the new and old communities
join up.
- Land that was open
space for the people has now been taken
over by the council and then sold for development.
- The more you create
an enclosed environment the more problems we have with
teenagers. We are creating an urban
jungle because we are concentrating on industry.
- General development
is welcomed but there is a huge need for green space. The increase
in houses and the traffic they generate are affecting
people’s health. We need to
create a community where people walk.
Too many flat developments.
- Need to encourage new
firms to come here.
- Need to move heavy
traffic away from residential areas.
Need more enforcement cameras.
- Education – the
LEA says no schools are needed in this area but we do not believe
that is true. Schools have significant
waiting lists.
- Local employment
– will there be suitable employment in this area? Believe it
will be a commuting base for people travelling to London.
- Important for
residents to have access to the river.
- Flats and houses
– there are mental health problems associated with small
enclosed communities. Need outside
space for people to get out of their homes.
- Dismayed that
developers making gradual reduction in employment space.
Table 2 Issues
- Infrastructure for the developments
– schools and transport
- How many empty homes are there and do we need all
these new houses?
- Correlation between open space and mental health
– don’t need big gardens but accessible local open
space is important.
- The reduction in employment space in the new
development is worrying and the ratio of houses to jobs isn’t
good
- Land available for development but where are the
firms, what is being done to encourage them and how can we
fill up empty business
property?
- Need to retain open spaces
- Access roads – need heavy lorries moved
away from residential areas
- Access to the river by
residents