Welcome to my July Newsletter.
I was absolutely over the moon this month that, following our campaign, Orchards Academy in Swanley secured funding to be rebuilt. It has been a long campaign fought over the last year - I have run a petition which secured support from 1,333 local residents, raised the case with the Prime Minister during PMQs, and had meetings with both the Education Secretary and the Schools Minister. I can’t wait for the pupils and teachers to be able to benefit from updated facilities, they have all worked so hard over the last year and what a brilliant way to mark the end of the school year. A huge thanks to Natalie the headteacher, The Kemnal Academies Trust, and local councillors Perry Cole, Michael Horwood and Lesley Dyball. It has been great to see the community all pulling together.
I will continue to do all I can to support our schools locally, so do please get in touch with any thoughts or suggestions. And, I wish all parents, teachers, and students across Sevenoaks and Swanley a wonderful summer break.
Elsewhere the battle to protect the Green Belt continues. I asked the Secretary of State in the House of Commons to agree that any future planning changes must increase protection for our Green Belt; 93% of our constituency is made up of the Green Belt, yet we are constantly inundated by speculative applications, like that at Broke Hill, which worry the community and then go to the Planning Inspector on appeal. The message should be clear, if it’s Green Belt, it is protected and it’s not worth applying. I was pleased the see the Telegraph pick up on my comments and I will continue to ensure this viewpoint is heard in Parliament.
I will be continuing to share updates on my Facebook and Instagram over the summer. However, if I can help or support you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with my office on laura.trott.mp@parliament.uk.
Laura Trott
MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley
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