Liberal Democrats will protect Medway's green spaces and parks

Liberal Democrats would improve environmental standards in the Medway Towns by adopting sensible and consistently applied planning policies which are in line with the surrounding environment.

The Conservative-led Council, by not having yet adopted a Local Plan, has had less control over developments in order to meet the Government's housing targets and this means developers often win their planning appeals, thereby causing great harm to our green spaces.

Whilst we recognise the need for new housing, it must be in the right places, where there is good provision of infrastructure. We would concentrate new housing developments in areas with good bus and rail links to reduce car usage, and in locations where there is scope to provide decent pedestrian, cycling and public transport connections.

Alan Bullion, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rainham and Gillingham said "Liberal Democrats want to preserve open spaces around our towns, giving the local community space for leisure and recreation, without causing harm to Medway's most sensitive wildlife habitats and species. We would improve the connectivity of habitats to provide robust ecological networks and provide new allotments on 'brown build' sites to provide for an increased population.

The parks and green spaces of Gillingham and Rainham are vital resources for us all, bringing our communities together and benefitting our physical and mental health and wellbeing. To demonstrate my commitment to this, I have taken the 'Fields in Trust's Parks Protector Pledge' and promise that as your MP I will support and champion parks and green spaces as well as advocate for their protection. You can find out more about the pledge I have taken by visiting www.fieldsintrust.org/pledge."