Maxim/GSE HGV lorry Park Consultation Falls Flat !

GSE proposed HGV park on the white Cliffs of Dover

The HGV lorry park developer, GSE and their PR company Maxim, came to Hougham Village Hall on Thursday 4th Dec to hold a public consultation on their huge infrastructure project planned for the protected White Cliffs Country, Heritage Coastline.

Negative Response from Village

Luke Mullaney, development manager for GSE stated that ".... over 150 members of the public attended and all 100% of them were negative in their response to the proposed development..."

The developer GSE, is proposing to use 70 acres of viable and currently productive arable farmland currently used for food production, to create one of the biggest lorry parks in Europe, all in a protected Area of Natural Beauty (AONB), approx. 450 meters from the edge of the White Cliffs

Chaotic

Several members of the public commented on the chaotic nature of the presentation with different representatives of GSE and Maxim contradicting each other and appearing not to be aware of the salient details of the proposal.

Luke Mullaney (Development manager GSE) stated

"We have not looked into the light pollution for the site yet.....you seem to know more about the lighting than I do "

Some attendees described the presentation as uncoordinated , poorly managed and even shambolic in nature! When challenged about the details of the proposal, GSE consultant Andrew Cox (environmental surveyor /consultant) stated...

"Everyone here thinks they're an expert. I'm the only one"

Furthermore the transport consultants for GSE, DHA Transport tried to explain to members of the public the exact nature of the complicated new two way road layout on the off ramp at the Court wood junction on the A20, to accommodate the proposed entrance to the lorry park.

"We are not quite sure how the (slip road )- system will work yet......National Highways have not signed off on it"

Paul Lulham (DHA transport Consultants )

Disappointed

Needless to state several members of the public left feeling disappointed , angry and frustrated that GSE appeared unprepared, conflictual in their statements and unprofessional in their delivery and presentation. One member of the public stated that the ".......GSE leadership team didn't appear to know what they were doing ..."

When asked about this Luke Mullaney (GSE development Manger) stated .........

"we would usually be a bit better prepared for something like this . Our hand has been forced a bit ahead of schedule"