Local MP Maria Miller has lodged her strong objection to the planning application for a distribution depot on land at Oakdown farm near Junction 7 of the M3.

Maria said: “The development of this part of the Borough is not part of the current agreed Local Plan, and so should not be agreed by the Borough Council, as the planning authority.

‘The site has been chosen by the developer because of its proximity to Junction 7 on the M3 - in the full knowledge that the NHS has shortlisted it as a site for a major new acute Hospital - but without detailed analysis of the capacity of the road network.’

‘The Highways Agency has confirmed there is no Government plan to expand the capacity of M3 junction 7, so all development planned at this location needs to work within the current road capacity or have funded mitigation in place.’

‘The potential siting of one of the Government’s 40 new Hospitals at Junction 7 has to be taken into account by the planning authority. The Borough Council cannot make a decision on this application until the final site for the new Hospital has been agreed (2021) and the impact of all proposed development at Junction 7 can be fully considered.’

Maria’s letters of objection are attached.