'At a meeting with Kent County Council planning policy officers and the Chairman of the Informal Members Group which steers the preparation of the Kent Minerals and Waste Development Framework on the 11th April 2012, it was explained that the three proposed sites in Shoreham parish have not been selected as preferred options. The three sites are:-

Site 5 Filston Lane Site 8 Chelsfield Ammunition Depot and Site 104 Land between the Orpington Bypass and the M25.

In the forthcoming consultation on the mineral sites plan and waste sites plan at 'preferred options' stage, which is due to commence on the 28thMay, these three sites will be shown as 'Not Allocated'. The reasons for their non allocation will be summarised in the main consultation document with further details available in the evidence base documents that will also be available at that time.'

However whilst this is extremely good news we must remember that the Consultation will not conclude until the Summer of 2014. This is because there is no guarantee the sites won't get re-allocated right up until the very end of the Consultation in 2014.

Therefore it is imperative that the BMRA and EVERY resident continues to comment on the unsuitability of Site 8 and Site 104 at every available opportunity.

The BMRA will guide all our residents through these opportunities and are now in the process of preparing a fact sheet for delivery to every household giving advice on 'How to respond' to Stage 3 of the Consultation. Anyone who experiences any difficulties with writing letters can contact any BMRA Committee member for help.

Finally we are pleased to announce that Lillian Harrison the Minerals & Waste Local Development Framework Project Manager for KCC is holding an informal drop in session at the Memorial Hall, in Highland Road, on WEDNESDAY 6th JUNE 2012 between 3pm to 7pm. She will answer questions about the Consultation process that may still affect the area until Summer 2014.

This is a unique opportunity being given by KCC to the residents of Shoreham Parish, and the BMRA would ask all Badgers Mount residents to attend even for just a short time to show appreciation for the effort being made by our county council to give clarity to the process.

This item has been prepared by Eileen Lessey Member of the BMRA.