Sevenoaks Conservatives have selected local resident, parish chairman and Green Belt Campaigner Nigel Williams for the Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge Ward by-election.
Cllr Williams is Chair of Chevening Parish Council and led the successful local fight against the controversial planning application for the creation of a series of huge mounds on both Green Belt land and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Chevening. The application by Trustees of Chevening House envisaged the importation of some 780,000 cubic metres of rubble from the London area which would have resulted in hundreds of HGV movements a day over a period of six years. The sole purpose of the huge mounds was to prevent Chevening House from having a distant view of the M25.
Despite Sevenoaks District Council’s own planning officers recommending approval, Cllr Williams and local Councillors overturned their recommendation at a meeting of Sevenoaks District Council’s planning committee in September 2021.
Following the campaign success, Cllr Williams has now turned his sights on fighting the Covers Farm Planning application, which equally proposes filling in an old quarry site, with HGVs again blighting the lives of communities along the A25, worsening air quality and increasing the risk of a serious traffic collision.
Although this is ultimately a KCC and planning issue, experience has taught him that the most effective pressure comes from local people themselves, from the grass roots. He has already contacted councillors at Kent County Council to lobby against the application on behalf of local residents across the A25 corridor.
Cllr Williams stated: “I am putting myself forward to protect the many communities in the Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge ward from inappropriate development in the area, to support efforts to improve road safety and reduce dangerous speeding, and to ultimately make our ward a better place to live”.
“The Green Belt is so immensely valued by local residents, and although every planning application has to be considered on its merits, the Green Belt must be protected. It ultimately helps improve air quality locally, improves wellbeing and protects us from the urban sprawl of London.”
"I hope that local residents will trust me, based on my campaigning experience, to stand up for our beautiful ward, help residents tackle local issues that matter to them, and ultimately to protect the fantastic Green Belt around our communities.”
“Having spoken to many local residents to discuss local concerns, if elected, my priorities are:
1) Protect the Green Belt – Protecting the Green Belt is something I'm passionate about. I will continue to work with our local Conservative Councillors James, Keith and Nick to fight hard to protect it - like I successfully did to prevent the Chevening Mounds.
2) Stand up against Covers Farm Quarry - The restoration of Covers Farm presents a serious environmental threat of hundreds of HGVs using the A25. I have already contacted members of the KCC committee considering this application, to ensure local views are represented.
3) Keep our weekly refuse collections - The weekly collections run by Conservative-controlled Sevenoaks District Council are immensely valued by local residents. Sevenoaks Conservatives and I will ALWAYS support retaining a WEEKLY collection for our area.
4) Tackle dangerous speeding on local roads - Speeding is incredibly dangerous to everyone, particularly those with young children or those who require more time to cross local roads. I will lobby the police to undertake more checks to improve safety. This also includes support our Kent County Councillor, Nick Chard, with his campaign to secure an average speed system along the A25.
5) Take action on flytipping down our country lanes - I will lobby councils to secure more discreet flytipping cameras in local hotspots around the area. Flytipping is a blight on our beautiful villages and causes harm to the environment and wildlife.
6) Be accountable and approachable - As a Parish Councillor, I know how important it is to represent people's views and support them with a range of issues. This means working closely and positively with our Parish Councils, Councillors and MP Laura Trott to improve our area.
"I hope, as a fellow local resident, you will support me on 3rd March to stand up for our area – this is my home too, and I care deeply about it!"
If you would like to contact Nigel about any local issue or matter for concern, you can email [email protected] or telephone 07825 996176
-End-
Published and promoted by Michael Horwood on behalf of Nigel Williams, both at Sevenoaks Conservative Association, First Floor, 6 Wealden Place, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3QQ.
