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Lenham Storage proposes replacement warehouse
Link to the online planning application: 08/0500 link to: Lenham Storage
Just had two notes through my door, about the Lenham Storage plans, they seem to be describing totally different schemes. The opposition descibes a behemoth that is going to overshadow Lenham and take us back to the dark ages.
"It will overshadow the village by 12 metres (4 times the height of a double decker bus)"
Bit confused here as that would put a double decker bus at only 3 metres tall, allowing for some ground clearance, I don't remember having to limbo onto the last one I travelled on as it would give pasengers about 1.5s metre of height. Double decker buses are actually 4.38 metres tall!
I think the key issues here are: Lack of Parish Council comment, not necessarily pro or anti, but with a major development within the council's patch, it should have facilitated awareness and discussion. Not least about the traffic and light impact.
Increased traffic: I had somebody comment that Lenham storage should pay extra to have the road maintained, especially Ham Lane. I thought they did in the form of road tax which is very high for lorries. Access to William Pitt playing field. I'm a regular at the skateboard park, I've not actaully seen a lorry go past while there. Other problems along the Hame Lane / A20, yes it could do with a footpath but I'm more worried about idiot car drivers than the lorries.
Is there going to be that much more traffic, after all, this new building replaces existing structures, so much of the traffic already exists.
I see the new construction is adjacent to the railway. Have the MBC Planning officers noted this and recommended that construction allows for rail access in the future. I doubt it, anybody that could praise the Tracey Island house (Thunderbirds are go!) for Grafty Green certainly shouldn't be a planning officer!.
Lighting. I value my night sky and would certainly object to increased lighting. Has Lenham storage looked at the optimum way of lighting the site to minimise illuminating the sky. Bringing the lorries inside might actually reduce extrenal lighting
The Lenham Storage flyer mentions 'environementally freindly' are they going to incorporate any renewable energy schemes on the new building? Perhaps grey water recycling - rainwater for flushing the toilets.
Trade and Investment: Shouldn't we welcome increased investment in the area. There was a real fear only a few years ago that Marley might move, seems they are also investing in staying!
On a general level, though we all want to live in the optimum environment, ultimately we live in a mixed domestic / commercial / industrial / agricultural environment. Its not perfect and there are lots of ways it can be improved, but ultimately it all contributes to our modern affordable (almost) lifestyle.
Contacts: david.close @ lenhamstorage.co.uk , Geoff Brown (planningdevelopcontrol@maidstone.gov.uk)
Click for large size Sorry but I missed the bit that is going to be redeveloped - not that easy flying and photoing at the same time!
And the same in Google Earth.
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