Constituency matters... a weekly column by the Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins.
5 January 2012

2012, the long awaited year of the London Olympics and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is here. It is also going to be an important year for the international economy, future of the euro zone, peace in the Middle East and the development of the emerging powers in the Far East.

2012 is not going to be a year we will forget. So as we get down to work after the Christmas and New Year festivities it is a good time to think about our priorities for the twelve months ahead.

For me, the number one issue we face in our community is the strength of the local economy and the need to make use of our good infrastructure links to London and the rest of the South East, as well as the continent to bring in more jobs and investment. That is why I will be continuing my campaign in parliament for a new power station at Dungeness; supporting the excellent work of the Folkestone Creative Quarter and Harbour company as they take their regeneration plans to the next stage; urging businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the £40million Regional Growth Fund for East Kent; pressing for further investment to improve our broadband and mobile phone network coverage; encouraging Shepway council’s innovative apprenticeships programme; and calling for the government to give their support to the local approval to grant planning permission for the controlled expansion of Lydd Airport.

If we want jobs and investment to come into our area we have also to take a sensible and pragmatic approach to planning and development. Yes, local communities are right to voice concerns, and rules to protect our most valuable habitats are there for a good reason, but we have to get the balance right in providing these safeguards, and allowing development to improve facilities and create jobs.

I was interested to read over the Christmas period that ‘celebrities’ have added their voice in opposition to the proposals to improve the accommodation and catering facilities at Port Lympne wild animal park.

Whilst it is always good to know that people are taking an active interest in our community I am rather more concerned in what people who live and work here think about local planning issues. It was reported that the BBC interviewer and presenter John Humphrys had warned that "This is a glorious corner of England and we really should do everything we can to protect it from over- intensive development." The TV chef Clarissa Dickson-Wright added that “The noise and traffic caused by this would spoil the tranquillity of the area.”

We would all agree that the beauty, character and integrity of Romney Marsh and the Saxon Shore should be protected, but is this really under threat from a proposal to put up ten accommodation tents and a new restaurant to support an already popular visitor attraction? I think their words are well meaning but a massive overreaction and we should recognise that the success of Port Lympne has brought people to the area and created jobs, and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012©