- Application Information
- Documents
- Written representations
CROWN/2025/0000002 Louisa Petherick
- Date submitted
- 11 Sep 2025
- Submitted by
- Interested Party
I am writing to register my strong objection to the proposed extension and potential permanent status of the Sevington Lorry Park, which is situated directly opposite my home. I believe this development has already had, and will continue to have, a severe negative impact on both local residents and the wider Ashford community — and should not be permitted to continue in its current or extended form. 1. Light Pollution and Loss of Residential Amenity The hundreds of industrial-grade lamp posts erected around the lorry park generate excessive and intrusive light pollution every night. The glow from the site is so intense that it permeates homes, disrupts sleep, and destroys any sense of natural night-time environment for residents in the immediate area. This is a clear planning issue in relation to loss of amenity and should not be dismissed lightly. 2. Traffic Safety and Road Congestion As a resident who uses the route past the Sevington lorry park multiple times a day — including for the school run — I have personally witnessed the significant increase in traffic accidents, especially around the Junction 10A roundabout, involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and private vehicles. Many of these lorry drivers appear unfamiliar with the local roads, often causing confusion, erratic driving, and hazardous conditions. The road network around Ashford was not designed to support such high HGV volumes, and this poses a serious safety risk to families and local commuters. 3. Illegal and Anti-Social Parking Behaviour Despite clear signage indicating “emergency vehicles only,” the lay-by outside my home is regularly occupied by several lorries at a time. This is not only in violation of the intended use of the space, but it also presents a direct safety hazard, reduces visibility for residents exiting driveways, and contributes to further congestion. Beyond that, the wider town is overrun with lorries, which park in unauthorised areas, defecate in public spaces, and leave behind considerable amounts of litter and waste. This behaviour is unacceptable and highlights a total failure of enforcement and site management by the relevant authorities and operators. What has the council done to monitor, police, or mitigate this issue? The apparent answer is — very little. 4. Environmental and Visual Impact This facility has become a permanent eyesore. What was once a rural or semi-rural environment has been replaced with a sprawling, high-traffic, industrial site with no effective screening or integration into the landscape. It is visually intrusive, diminishes the character of the area, and detracts from Ashford’s identity as a town with ambition and community spirit. It sends entirely the wrong message to visitors and potential investors. 5. Impact on Property Values Due to the proximity of this facility to my property, I have already experienced a noticeable drop in property value. Estate agents have specifically cited the lorry park and its associated issues — including noise, light, and traffic — as contributing factors. This is not merely speculative; it is an economic consequence that directly affects the livelihoods of residents who have invested in their homes and community. 6. Location Choice – Poor Strategic Planning There is no justification for placing such a disruptive facility in the heart of a residential and commuter town like Ashford. There are multiple points along the M20 route to Dover which would have been far better suited — locations that would minimise community impact while still serving the same logistical purpose. This decision reflects lazy, short-sighted planning that sacrifices local quality of life for temporary convenience. ⸻ In Summary: • The Sevington lorry park has caused unacceptable and ongoing disruption to local residents. • The impacts include: light pollution, traffic collisions, illegal parking, environmental damage, and economic loss. • The town of Ashford should not be treated as a dumping ground for national infrastructure problems. • There has been a failure of planning foresight and enforcement, and the proposal to extend or make permanent this facility should be firmly rejected. I urge the planning authority to prioritise the rights, safety, and well-being of local residents and to reconsider the long-term damage this development is doing to the Ashford community. If a public hearing is scheduled, I would like the opportunity to speak and represent local views. Sincerely, Louisa Petherick