{"id":1120,"date":"2020-11-11T20:13:40","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T20:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/?p=1120"},"modified":"2020-11-12T15:28:16","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T15:28:16","slug":"rainham-residents-reignite-campaign-to-save-the-orchards-from-housing-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/InvictaNews\/2020\/11\/11\/rainham-residents-reignite-campaign-to-save-the-orchards-from-housing-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Rainham residents reignite campaign to save orchards from housing appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Residents are kick starting their campaign for a second time as their beloved orchards face being turned into a housing estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The orchards off Pump Lane, in Rainham, are under threat of 1,250 homes being built on the 126 acres owned by Fruit farmers AC Goatham and Son. The company are appealing against Medway Council\u2019s decision to scrap the development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the 16 November \u2018representation\u2019 deadline looming ahead, members of a local Steering Group are encouraging people to object to the company\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kate Belmonte, member of the steering group said: \u201cI was enraged that the largest orchard left in Lower Rainham, was at threat despite it having healthy and productive soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe tactic of selling agricultural land across the country has increased as the desire to build on virgin soil has increased due to developer\u2019s greed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over 3,000 people have made complaints so far, after the initial plans ignited concerns over the development’s impact on pollution, loss of wildlife and agriculture, historical landmarks and traffic congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one resident, Roger Marson, the orchards have become a place of escape \u2013 especially through lockdown. He has found that the farmland acts as a tonic allowing him to destress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Marson said: \u201cI forgot about lockdown and became very aware of nature, seeing the apple orchards change, seeing the blossom come and go and the fruit growing and then the fruit being picked and now the leaves turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI found it far more therapeutic than I ever expected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In times like these, people are finding that saving the countryside is more important than ever for mental wellbeing. It is this reason which has featured in many objections, including Marson\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cThe thought of the orchards being built over and the countryside being ruined for ever just for the sake of someone making lots of money fills me with dread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve found myself starting to feel quite angry and anxious about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members of the steering group are urging Gillingham and Rainham MP, Rehman Chishti, who has been outspoken about the development, to lobby the Housing and Community Minister Robert Jenrick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the deadline fast approaching, the group have issued a YouTube video titled, \u201cDon\u2019t let this be the last harvest.\u201d Members have also been distributing posters and leaflets to residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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