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Date submitted

11 Sep 2025

Submitted by

Interested Party

I am writing to formally object to the proposed extension and potential permanent designation of the Sevington lorry park, which is located directly opposite my home. The operation of this facility has already caused significant harm to residential amenity, road safety, public health, and local environmental quality — all of which fall within the scope of material planning considerations under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The scale and intensity of light pollution from the facility severely disrupts our ability to enjoy our homes, particularly at night. Under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998, residents have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of their property, and that right is being undermined by the excessive lighting, noise, and activity generated by this site. This is not merely a nuisance; it is an ongoing environmental intrusion, and the local planning authority has a legal duty to prevent developments that cause such disproportionate harm. The site also generates dangerous levels of HGV traffic, contributing to regular accidents on the 10A roundabout and surrounding roads — routes used daily by families, schoolchildren, and commuters. Furthermore, there is persistent unlawful parking and anti-social behaviour from drivers ignoring signage, using emergency lay-bys, and leaving waste. This not only poses a public health risk but also highlights a lack of enforcement and planning oversight. The presence of the lorry park has caused a measurable drop in property value, worsened visual amenity, and diminished the character of the area — all material considerations in planning law. While the site may have been justified as a temporary Brexit contingency, there is no valid reason to entrench it permanently in a residential zone, particularly when better-suited alternatives exist along the M20 corridor. The proposal is incompatible with sustainable development principles and should be refused. It fails to meet the tests set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) regarding the protection of local communities from unacceptable impacts. I request that this objection be fully considered and, if a hearing is held, I wish to speak and represent the views of affected residents.