A Kent MP has written to a local council to oppose controversial plans to build a rail and road freight depot (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7103076.stm

Hugh Roberston claims the proposals for Bearsted will blight the countryside and increase road congestion.

The Faversham and Mid Kent MP has joined thousands of local people in objecting to the plans that will see a depot built on 270 acres of farmland.

Developers said the Kent International Gateway plan would create 3,500 jobs and remove lorries from the roads.

A decision on the site , which lies to the west of junction eight of the M20 , is not expected until February at the earliest.

Proposals for the interchange on a site in Bearsted, just off the M20, have been submitted but the Highways Agency has demanded more information (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7204696.stm

Developers say the Kent International Gateway (KIG) plan will create 3,500 jobs and remove lorries from the roads.

KIG has been asked to supply more detail on the impact the site will have on traffic and roads.

The new information required is in addition to the extra information previously requested by Maidstone Borough Council.

As a result of the direction, the application will not now be decided by the council by the original deadline of 13 February.