Kent Science Park
Kent Wildlife Trust's position on Kent Science Park
1) Kent Science Park, near Sittingbourne, has published proposals for a major expansion together with a new road link between the A2 and M2, and 4,500 new houses. The plans would affect Kent Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Cromers Wood, as well as a site of recognised county importance for wildlife at Highsted Chalk Pits.
2) However, the proposals also include a large ‘country conservation park’ which could link and extend existing wildlife habitats in the area, secure the management for wildlife and people of the chalk pits, and take pressure off the Trust’s nature reserve. The development therefore has the potential to benefit wildlife.
3) Kent Wildlife Trust still has considerable concerns about the proposals:
- We would be concerned about the potential indirect impacts of an increase in housing on our reserve at Cromers Wood. Increased recreational pressure would damage the ground flora in the woodland and cause disturbance to breeding birds, and birds and mammals will be more at risk from predation by domestic cats.
- The Trust is concerned about the wider impact on the environment from an additional 4,500 houses, and believes that any proposals for development should incorporate the highest sustainable building targets for energy and water efficiency and strong public transport links.
- The Trust would discourage new road schemes, which increase traffic and add to carbon emissions.
- To be acceptable, the development would need to adhere to the principles set out in the document, Natural Regeneration – Biodiversity Conservation in the Thames Gateway. Protection and enhancement of the natural environment must be an integral part of development at all scales, and all development should contribute to a network of green space for people and wildlife. Proposals for environmental enhancement should have regard to Biodiversity Action Plan habitat and species targets.
- The Trust recognises that there may be very serious impacts upon the local landscape and on local communities. While these issues may not directly affect wildlife, they do affect the lives of local people, and must be taken fully into account by the Local Planning Authority.
