A village protest will be held in Monkton objecting to road lay-out changes planned as part of a 49-home development on a greenfield site.
Monkton Residents Association is organising the protest and say it is likely motorists will be held up in a display of how they anticipate the new lay-out will affect traffic flow.
The development on a field off Monkton Street was approved in December, with conditions, at appeal after Thanet council refused it three times. The decision was made on the basis that Thanet council cannot demonstrate it has a 5 year supply of land for housing. Developer Heyhill Land was also granted costs against the council.
But residents say they are concerned about road changes including a one-way system at the narrowest point in the village, a waiting area outside the village school, a path build out reducing road width even further and a loss of parking.
Monkton Residents Association chairperson Beth Johnson said: “These (changes) will affect everyone who uses Monkton Street and are only necessary to enable the correct sight lines for a development of 49 houses on the field behind Nos. 96 – 102 Monkton Street, which has recently been agreed by an Inspector after three refusals.
“These changes will involve a one way system at the narrowest point in the village and from the plans that have been seen so far appears to show that the waiting area will be immediately outside our school. They will also involve losing most of the parking on this stretch of road by the use of yellow lines, and this includes those properties who have no off street parking.
“These aspects of this planning application appear to have been totally ignored by all parties except villagers, for example the impact on access to and from the properties of some existing residents will be affected in a very detrimental way, already leading to some houses being put up for sale. “There also appears to have been no consideration given to the fact that the fumes from vehicles waiting to pass through the one way system will be right outside the school, despite the evidence that vehicle emissions affect children the most.
“For these reasons, and the fact that Monkton does not need another 49 houses in addition to all the developments which have and are currently taking place, we feel that although unfortunately we cannot appeal the decision we must take some action to make the feelings in the village known.”
The village protest will take place on Saturday 25th February, at 10.30am opposite the school. Beth added: “Although the plans for this road layout change are not yet formalised this protest will possibly involve us in holding up traffic in a way we anticipate it is likely to be held up, should the changes take place.
“We would therefore ask that anyone using Monkton Street on that date be aware that this is happening and whilst we apologise for any inconvenience it may cause we ask for your understanding and patience whilst we are taking this action.
“As these changes will affect all users of Monkton Street, we would of course welcome anyone from the local area who would like to join us in this protest.”
According to the appeal document from the Planning Inspector, Heyhill Land will have to provide 10 new public parking spaces. These will be within the development site, which has 100 spaces earmarked for future residents/visitors. The application, which resulted in dozens of objections, will include pedestrian and cycle access.
