A proposal to build a huge road-rail freight interchange in Kent have been refused by the Government.

The decision, made by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, has delighted many campaigners who have been protesting to stop the building of the Kent International Gateway (KIG).

Developer Axa Real Estate Investment Managers (REIM) wanted to site the project comprising a distribution park, warehouses and offices, across more than 280 acres north of Bearsted, near Maidstone.


A spokesperson from the campaign group, www.stopkig.org said: "We are absolutely delighted the Secretary of State has refused the appeal by Axa to build KIG.

"Although desperate to celebrate this outcome, we are aware of the risk of future applications on this site, and we need time to analyse the full report and the reasons behind the refusal before we celebrate."

Following an 11 week public inquiry last year, planning inspector Andrew Phillipson recommended that planning should be refused.

A revised proposal submitted to reduce the size of ware house and office space was also rejected.

(CD/BMcC)