SOUTHERN WATER SLUDGE APPEAL

4.34.30pm GMT Wed 10th Jan 2007

Geoff urges residents to reform campaign team

Liberal Democrat Kent County Councillor Geoff Rowe, Member for Malling Rural North East, has received some very disappointing news today (10.01.07.) for the residents of Eccles. Southern Water has decided to appeal against the refusal of KCC's Planning Applications Committee in September 2006, to allow its plans to expand the existing sludge treatment facilities in Bull Lane, Eccles.

Geoff knows that the residents will be devastated to hear this news and urges them to reform the campaign team, which did so much to get the Planning Applications Committee to turn down the initial application, despite KCC officers' original recommended approval of the scheme.

A Government-appointed Planning Inspector will now hold a public inquiry into the application to expand the existing sludge treatment plant and provide a sludge recycling centre.

Geoff says: "Bull Lane is not a satisfactory route for in excess of 100 additional HGV vehicle movements per day, carrying sludge. The residents don't want it, Aylesford and TMBC Councils are against it and KCC Planning Committee turned down the application."