'Decision to develop Deangate is unacceptable' say Medway Liberal Democrats

A decision to allow construction on Deangate has been met with "bitter disappointment" by local Liberal Democrats, who have learned of plans to develop Deangate Ridge and the adjacent running track and sports facility. Medway Lib Dems have already commented on the proposals in the Hoo - Routes to Good Growth consultation document and made a comprehensive submission to the HIF Team, in which we found the proposals weak in their effectiveness in serving the residents of Hoo and the surrounding areas.

We commented that the proposed road through Deangate is unacceptable for a variety of reasons as it will not adequately serve as an arterial road and it is placed in an area not suitable to be a feeder road for housing, and we stressed that the area it runs through should form part of a large country park covering Deangate, Lodge Hill SSSI and Great Chattenden Wood SSSI.

John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said ""I am bitterly disappointed by the decision, Deangate's loss would very much be the developers' gain, particularly because I know the very significant impact this decision will have on residents in the area.

We feel that the development of Deangate shows a lack of regard of greenspaces provision for the Hoo Peninsula. The way forward is to not build on the land, and keeping the greenspace as a barrier between the housing zone of Hoo and the SSSI designated areas.

The Lib Dems proposed that Deangate should form a large country park to the north of Hoo to both make a positive use of the greenspaces budget and achieve a mirroring concept of the currently proposed Cookham Wood Country Community park. A greenspace to ensure a barrier between an expanded Hoo and the River Medway."

ENDS