MP urges SEEDA to reconsider support for KIG

Hugh continues to protest against KIG.

Hugh Robertson, the Member of Parliament for Mid Kent, in whose Constituency the proposed Kent International Gateway (KIG) development is situated, has today written to Pam Alexander, The Chief Executive of SEEDA, asking her to reconsider SEEDA’s support for the development. All the parish councils, Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council and Hugh Robertson as the local MP are opposed to the proposal leaving only SEEDA and elements of government in favour.

Hugh has asked SEEDA to reconsider on two grounds. Firstly, they have based their support entirely on the supposed economic benefits and completely ignored the detrimental effect that this will have on the whole of the eastern side of Maidstone. Secondly, the evidence from a Freedom of Information request is that SEEDA took all the applicants claims on trust and failed to examine the case rigorously and impartially.

Hugh Robertson said,

“With Maidstone Borough Council’s rejection of the scheme last month, there is now a window of opportunity until the Planning Inquiry in the autumn.

I have strongly urged SEEDA to use this period to re-examine the scheme and test all the assumptions underlying their support. It was very clear to everyone attending the Maidstone planning meeting that the development agreements are based on flawed assumptions. If SEEDA re-examine this issue, I am confident that they will come to the same conclusion”.