‘I am really excited by this proposal [Garden Village where up to 12,000 homes could be built], but there are some who think there has been a smokescreen around this. We bought Otterpool Manor Farm before Christmas (2015) as a strategic purchase. We had no plans for the site other than a tenanted farming operation to earn some income, but we had to take advantage of the Government’s offer to help with future development.’ This was a lie, by Cllr Monk and emails (as downloadable pdf’s) below prove this beyond all reasonable doubt.
We at the Shepwayvox Team have never believed that there was no intention to develop the site. In fact SDC Corporate Director’s for Strategic Operations Susan Priest (pictured) expenses told another story; which supported our thinking that there always was a plan to develop the site at Otterpool.
Well now we can can confirm that development of the site was on their minds four days before they even bid for the land in November 2015.
Andy Jarrett, (pictured) Head of Strategic Development Projects at SDC was in communications with Savills about the purchase of the land at Otterpool Park asking them how much it would cost to purchase the land. He was informed that £3.5 million would not be enough and that an offer with the number 4 may well do the trick. Admittedly Andy did manage to bring the price to be paid to Savills down from 1.5% to 1.25%, so saving the tax payer some money. So what do these communications show. Well you can read them below as we have added them as pdf’s (at the end of the post) which were all gained by our public face via Environmental Information Requests.
The area discussed was Otterpool, that is clear from the email chain and the request was all about Otterpool. So there you have it Cllr David Drury Monk’s assertion that “We bought Otterpool Manor Farm before Christmas (2015) as a strategic purchase. We had no plans for the site other than a tenanted farming operation to earn some income,” was a lie. Or is he saying the all SDC officers kept this information from him, even though he attended meetings where Andy Jarrett was present and discussed the ongoing purchase of the Otterpool Land.
Cllr David Dury Monk (pictured) will stand in the forthcoming KCC elections on May 4th 2017. This is a man who has clearly told a lie regarding Otterpool Park. This is a man who hascompromised his intergrity and honesty. Cllr Monk is a man who breaches confidences so we have been informed. Is this the kind of man the electorate wish to be their representative at KCC? Only you can decide that come polling day, if you live in the Folkestone West Division.
The officers of Shepway District Council remember follow his instructions, so we lay no blame on them whatsoever. For they must follow the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet’s instructions.
