Tomorrow, residents across our community have the chance to elect our Kent County Councillors, and however you plan to vote, please make sure your voice is heard.
Turnout for local elections is traditionally low, but this is a huge shame as Kent County Council play a vital role in all our daily lives—its decisions directly impact everything from roads and social care to education, blue badge schemes, and waste disposal. Without the essential services it provides, our local communities simply wouldn’t function.
Please make sure you vote and don’t forget to take your photo I.D with you, which can include a bus pass.
One issue that has been raised with me repeatedly during the campaign has been the Green Belt, and it is clear that many of you still remain deeply concerned about protecting it.
These are concerns I share – the Government’s decision to increase our district housing target by 63%, and make it mandatory, coupled with their broad and worrying definition of so-called ‘Grey Belt’, means our beautiful countryside is under threat like never before. But, I want you to all to be clear that I will do everything I can to fight these proposals every step of the way.
Sevenoaks District is 93% Green Belt and this must be taken into account when calculating our housing number within the Local Plan. It is imperative that we build homes for local people, but we must also protect the Green Belt, and ensure new homes come with the right infrastructure for communities living here.
Sadly, the introduction of ‘Grey Belt’ puts at risk the previously hard-won victories against damaging proposals, which would have swallowed up large areas of Green Belt land. And, under the Government’s new rules, it will be far harder for local people to stand up to inappropriate development.
However, that won’t stop us trying. I will continue to work hard with colleagues, local councillors, parish councils and other interested local groups. Green Belt must be protected; and that any planning applications on this land, that do not have community consent, should be rejected wherever possible.
If you wish to discuss this in more detail, or any other concerns you have, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at [email protected].
Laura Trott
MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley
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