Saint George's Primary School - Result

The following text will be sent by letter shortly to all affected residents of Coldharbour Ward about the proposed Saint George's Primary School.

'Recently my party colleagues and I had been around some of the properties in the above roads talking to residents about the impact that the proposed Saint George’s Primary School would have on the area. While I, and I am sure you would, support the need for more primary school places, we were campaigning against the proposed entrance on Westcott Avenue which would add traffic and parking problems to an already busy area around the Shears Green Infant and Junior Schools.

This application was made to Kent County Council on behalf of Kent County Council and Saint George’s Secondary School so KCC were the determining authority for this application and not Gravesham Borough Council. The application and paperwork can be found here: https://cloud2.atriumsoft.com/KCCePlanningOPS/loadFullDetails.do?aplId=78169

Both I and County Councillor Dr Lauren Sullivan who sits on the Gravesham Borough Council Regulatory Board (Planning Committee) spoke at length at two Regulatory Board Committee meetings objecting to the parking, traffic and access arrangements. Both times the GBC Regulatory Board as a consultee voted against, unanimously, the KCC planning application due to the issues we raised. Both our and Gravesham Borough Council’s objections were placed into a detailed report and two sets of formal minutes to the meetings of the board which can be found here: http://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=106&MId=2726&Ver=4

Despite this and the strong petition and views from local residents, the lobbying, meetings with several officers, support from the Head of the Shears Green Junior School and the Chair of Governors of the Shears Green Infant School and speeches from both myself and Dr Sullivan at the KCC Planning Committee held on the 8th November this committee voted 7-2 (the Labour and Independent Members voting against this and supporting our work) for this application as it stood. We secured some assurances on any problems being reviewed annually and that the traffic plan would have to be robust. Please see the minutes and conditions given by the KCC Planning Committee here: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=138&Year=0

Please be assured we shall be holding KCC and the school to account and should the residents of Coldharbour be affected by any increase of parking and traffic then I shall be making very strong representations to KCC to sort out their mess.

Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox County Councillor Dr Lauren Sullivan

Member for Coldharbour Ward Member for Northfleet and Gravesend West

Shadow Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure, Arts, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group - KCC
Tourism and Youth