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Date submitted

11 Sep 2025

Submitted by

Interested Party

I am writing to formally object to the proposal to extend or make permanent the lorry park and customs checkpoint at Sevington. Since its construction, this facility has had a significant and deeply negative impact on my quality of life, the safety of local roads, and the overall character of Ashford as a town. I urge the planning authority to seriously reconsider the implications of allowing this development to continue indefinitely. One of the most immediate and distressing effects has been the severe light pollution generated by the lorry park. Hundreds of industrial-strength floodlights illuminate the site throughout the night, casting an intense, unnatural glow that penetrates the homes of nearby residents. This level of artificial light, every night, has a serious impact on sleep, health, and well-being, and represents a clear loss of residential amenity. This kind of constant, high-level lighting would not be permitted near other residential zones, and it should not be tolerated here. Equally concerning is the increase in traffic volume and the deterioration of road safety in the area. As someone who drives past the site several times daily—including during the school run—I’ve witnessed the growing number of accidents, particularly around Junction 10a. Many of the lorry drivers using this facility are unfamiliar with the area and drive without due care or consideration. Their presence has led to congestion, erratic driving, and dangerous conditions that now feel routine. The local road network was not designed to cope with this level of HGV traffic, and it is now failing under the pressure. The situation is made worse by the fact that lorries frequently ignore parking restrictions. The lay-by outside my house clearly states it is for emergency vehicles only, yet it is routinely used by multiple lorries at a time. This illegal parking creates dangerous blind spots, obstructs driveways, and undermines local safety regulations. Beyond my street, the wider town is plagued by anti-social and unsanitary behaviour from drivers using non-designated areas to rest, relieve themselves, and dispose of waste. The council has done little, if anything, to monitor or enforce compliance, leaving residents to suffer the consequences of poor oversight and lack of accountability. From a visual and environmental perspective, the lorry park is a blight on the landscape. What was once a green, semi-rural area has been turned into an industrial eyesore, with little to no consideration given to screening or environmental impact. It is a daily reminder of how Ashford has been sacrificed for the convenience of national logistics, with no regard for the people who live here. Property values in the surrounding area have already suffered. I have received direct feedback from estate agents confirming that the proximity to the lorry park, along with the associated issues of noise, pollution, and safety, has devalued homes like mine. For many of us, our homes represent our most significant investment, and to see that undermined by poor planning decisions is both frustrating and deeply unjust. What is perhaps most concerning is that this facility did not need to be located here in the first place. There are many more appropriate locations along the route to Dover that would have met the same logistical needs without placing such a heavy burden on a town like Ashford. The decision to place this in the middle of a residential community is, frankly, inexcusable and shows a lack of consideration for local residents and the long-term health of the town. In summary, the continued operation and potential permanent status of the Sevington lorry park is not only unacceptable, but damaging to the town, its residents, and its future. The planning authority must take into account the full scale of the disruption and harm being caused, and act in the best interests of the community by refusing this application. I would welcome the opportunity to speak at a public hearing, should one be scheduled, to further express these concerns on behalf of myself and others affected.