Outraged residents continue their protests over Pump Lane’s orchard developments

The orchard off Pump Lane, Rainham, is under threat of demolition.

Local residents of Lower Rainham have rallied together once again to protest against the development of 1,250 residential units on the well-loved orchard.

The building scheme, which has been put forward by AC Goatham and Son, also includes a village hall, primary school, 80-bed care home and a green which is to include a children’s play area.

The 126-acre land is currently home to 60,000 apple trees and the value of the farmland sits at approximately £5,500 per acre, a number would increase once planning consent is granted.

A Facebook group was immediately formed following the development plans announcement in 2018. The group currently hosts over 3,000 members.

Heading the Facebook group is Kate Belmonte who has strongly opposed the developments since they were first announced. Kate also designed the banners which are strung up around the area pleading for the developments to halt.

“Everyone came together due to the initial outrage…we all just decided we needed to do something. We could see this a completely illogical place to put the site – we can’t support that many homes, individuals or cars,” Kate said.

“We are at threat of losing a community asset for short term monetary game. There’s not a lot of thought being given to the consequences of such a build. There’s no positive impact for the people of the local community.”

Other residents in the group, such as Malcolm O’Dell. have voiced their worries about struggles relating to heavy traffic flow in the area already, which they believe will only be made worse from the new housing site.

Malcolm lives in Pump Lane and said, “I can see all the traffic coming up the road from my house. If plans go ahead the amount of cars coming up this road will treble. Traffic at Medway is at breaking point…and this will just cause more problems.”

It’s also believed that the local hospital, Medway Maritime Hospital, will be sent into long delays after already showing signs of struggle, with up to 16-hour delays being reported last week.

Gillingham and Rainham’s MP, Rehman Chishti, said: “I have consistently objected to developments on our vital and cherished green spaces across Gillingham and Rainham.

“I am fully opposed to this scheme, and will continue to oppose it at every level necessary on behalf of all of my constituents.”  

Protesters will have to wait until early February to hear if the planning application from the developer is accepted or rejected. In preparation, members have started fundraising in order to raise funds for a solicitor to present them in the appeal stage.

A spokesperson for AC Goatham and Son said: “

“Medway has a real need for new housing. Our proposals will provide high quality family and starter homes, a primary school, and community and elderly care facilities: benefitting people in Medway.  It will open up green spaces for the community on a site that is currently private commercial land, with improved footpaths and dog walking routes. The relocation of fruit production from these farms to other sites which are unconstrained by surrounding houses will mean less disturbance for local residents, particularly during the summer months.

We realise there will always be a high level of interest in a scheme of this size and that is why we have carried out extensive public consultation. The outline planning application is currently with Medway Council for consideration and consultation.”

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