The following is a response from Cllr Chrissy Stamp to the disappointing news that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the two planning application appeals for Avenue Tennis to overturn the previous decisions of Medway Council’s Planning Committee.

Cllr Chrissy Stamp, Medway Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Watling said: 

“I am absolutely appalled that both of the Avenue Tennis appeals have been allowed. From Medway Council recommending to the Planning Committee that the applications be approved, to the Planning Inspectorate allowing the appeals is unbelievable. Both planning applications are not only giving permission to build on the Avenue Tennis courts, but also include giving permission for 3 houses and 4 car parking spaces to be built in a back garden. 

“I put myself in the shoes of the residents who are now going to suffer with this dreadful planning application being approved and really do feel for how their lives are going to be affected by this. 

“Since I was elected in May 2019 I have not stopped fighting to save the Avenue Tennis courts and the back garden of 26 Second Avenue being built on, unlike Rehman Chisti MP who decided to back his Conservative donor friend instead by fully supporting this planning application. I reported Rehman Chishti to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and he was found to have breached Paragraph 14 of the House of Commons’ Code of Conduct.

“I also reported suspected fraud to Kent Police with regards to the letters of support for the planning application. Unfortunately they were not able to take the investigation any further as Medway Council were not able to provide the information that the Serious Crime Directorate unit required to carry out their investigation.

“I have no words for the way that I feel right now but I will never stop fighting for what is right and for the constituents that I represent.”