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Date submitted

12 Sep 2025

Submitted by

Interested Party

I am saddened to see that the original 5 year plan for this site is now proposed to be extended to ‘permanent’. I was never in favour of this facility, and having experienced it over the past few years, I am even less in favour. This facility essentially extends the urban sprawl towards Mersham & Smeeth, and the light pollution from it is shameful. As one of the nearest villages to the facility, Mersham quite often has Lorries taking wrong turns into it, and the narrow lanes cannot cope. If this site becomes a permanent factory then I fear it will encourage the land of the East of Highfield Lane to also be developed - eventually swallowing Mersham and losing its village identity. Mersham is an historical village, with strong links to the Crown, and we must endeavour to protect it. Protect our villages!! In the mean time, with ecological issues at the forefront of a lot of people’s ideals, it unfortunates me that SO much lighting is used when the facility is not at capacity. I really feel that lighting in empty sections of the facility should be ‘switched off’ to prevent necessary energy being used and also to prevent unnecessary light pollution. We are in the countryside, yet this area feels like an airport. I very much object to this facility being granted permanent status.