Last year TDC Planning Committee voted in favour of development of 1,600 new homes at Birchington subject to legal agreements being established with the applicant. The Parish Council asked for the matter to be considered by the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, with a request that she ‘call in’ the application.
Today, the Parish Council has been informed that the Secretary of State has decided NOT to call in the application and has put it back in hands of TDC officers to determine.
This is, of course, contrary to the wishes of many of our residents, and the Parish Council will continue to make representations to the Secretary of State to encourage her to review her decision.
The principle of development cannot be challenged however grounds of concern with the current planning application include the proposed number of affordable homes, water supply and sewage disposal capacity, timely provision of infrastructure including the North Thanet Link, loss of arable farmland, harmful impacts on wildlife habitat and the cumulative impact of development in Thanet and elsewhere.
Individuals may express their views by writing direct to the Rt Hon Angela Rayner, Secretary of State [email: angela.rayner.mp@parliament.uk Post: Rt Hon Angela Rayner, House of Commons LondonSW1A 0AA ], the letter sent on her behalf can be viewed by opening the following link: