by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

An environmental group has criticised Kent County Council for its inconsistent attitude to protecting green belt land.

CPRE Protect Kent highlighted that KCC had written a response to Gravesham council's LDF proposals calling for the green belt to be protected.

Yet they added that KCC has supported plans which could see a Thames crossing built to the east of Gravesend through the green belt.

CPRE Protect Kent claims that the money spent on building a new crossing could be spent better elsewhere and would be devastating for Higham, Thong and Riverview Park, destroying the green belt, woodland, and possibly part of Shorne Wood Country Park.

The organisation also claims that Meopham and Cobham would be affected by new rat runs because of it.

Alex Hills, of Gravesham and Dartford's CPRE branch, said: "Children will be hardest hit because of the effect of the increased noise and air pollution on health and education.

"The effect that this road to ruin will have on every aspect of people's lives cannot be overstated.

"I have personally been fighting various new crossing proposals since the Cliffe airport campaign and thankfully until now they have all been defeated. "Protect Kent has avoided a high profile campaign against the crossing until now as there was a risk of homes being blighted needlessly.

"However, now that KCC are pushing so hard for a new crossing within five to six years time we must publically challenge the outrageous destruction of the environment that KCC is pushing for."

A KCC spokeswoman said: "KCC is not beholden to any route."