by James Scott

Opposition is growing to outline plans for 230 new homes on farming land to the south of Ashford’s Godinton Park estate.
A campaign group called Save Godinton Park Fields on Facebook has attracted more than 100 members with concerns about increased traffic, flooding and loss of green space.
Residents use the public footpath around the fields to walk to Godinton House, which owns the land, or across the railway line to Great Chart village.
Homeowner Tim Parker said: “I can’t believe they want to do this. Life is so depressing at the moment - no wage increase, prices up, petrol prices sky high, and now they want to take away the only bit of natural free beauty everyone can afford to enjoy on the estate.”
Secretary Sue Sharp, 45, of Rowan Close, added: “They are going to make my close a through road which would cause major disruption.
“Most of the houses here have one or two cars so it will cause a lot of congestion. You can’t get on to Godinton very easily as it is.”
The three proposed access roads to the new housing estate would be at Rowan Close, Maple Close and onto Springwood Drive, opposite The Copse, resulting in the loss of one of the adjoining properties.
The plans are part of the Urban Sites and Infrastructure Development Plan Document (DPD) which the council is seeking comments on.
The closing date for comments is Friday February 4 at 5pm. Residents can find out how to submit their views on the proposal in this week's Kentish Express.