NO to Hougham LORRY PARK - Protect the White Cliffs

15/06/2026

🚨 DON'T BE MISLED BY THE WROTHAM LORRY PARK DECISION 🚨

We've seen claims that the approval of Moto Hospitality's 200-space HGV park at Wrotham Heath somehow strengthens the case for the proposed 600-space Court Wood lorry park at Hougham.

It doesn't.

The two sites are completely different.

✅ Wrotham is OUTSIDE the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB)
✅ Wrotham is on Grey Belt land
✅ Wrotham sits between the M20 and M26 motorways
✅ Wrotham already has commercial and industrial activity nearby
✅ Wrotham did NOT have to pass the National Planning Policy Framework's "Exceptional Circumstances" test for development in a protected landscape

Now compare that with Court Wood:

❌ Entirely within the protected Kent Downs National Landscape
❌ Three times larger than Wrotham at 70 acres
❌ Productive farmland with no previous commercial use
❌ Just 450 metres from the Dover White Cliffs Heritage Coast
❌ Close to villages, homes and nationally important landscapes
❌ Required to pass the strict NPPF "Exceptional Circumstances" and Public Interest tests

Most importantly, no HGV lorry park of this scale has ever been approved on AONB land in England.

This proposal is not government infrastructure. It is a private commercial venture designed to generate profit.

The developers must prove:
• There are no suitable alternative sites elsewhere
• The scheme is in the public interest
• It will not damage the Kent Downs National Landscape
• It will conserve and enhance natural beauty as required by law

So far, they have not done so.

The Kent Downs, the White Cliffs countryside, and our productive farmland are not expendable.

This landscape belongs to all of us.

📢 Join the campaign.
📢 Share this post.
📢 Sign the petition.
📢 Help stop the Court Wood lorry park proposal.

11/05/2026

🎶 Keeping it Country, in the Country 🌿

Since the launch the campaign to protect the Kent Downs National Landscape and the iconic White Cliffs Country, the support from the local community has been great.

People from across the area have come together to defend our green spaces, keeping them clean, accessible, protected, and preserved for future generations. 🌍

The proposed 70-acre industrial HGV lorry park would permanently transform this cherished protected landscape. In response, local residents, artists and supporters have shared poetry, letters, artwork and even original music inspired by the beauty of the Kent Downs.

One such contribution is “Hougham Without Doubt” by local artist Dusty Roads 🎸

A heartfelt country track celebrating the clear green trails and countryside we are fighting to protect, and it’s already gaining attention on country radio! 📻

Ride with us through the beautiful Kent Downs byways and help keep White Cliffs Country green. We have added some recent drone footage of the proposed site and local area to accompany the song 🌿

09/05/2026

🚛 Will the Proposed Lorry Park Solve Dover TAP?

Important question, asked time and time again

One of the key benefits some people wrongly assume this proposed HGV lorry park would provide, is acting as a holding area for lorries heading to the Port of Dover, helping relieve pressure caused by Dover TAP or Operation Brock.

❗However, research carried out by the Action Group, including Freedom of Information requests, has found there is currently no agreement or plan with Government authorities for the site to be used in this way.

There is no confirmed arrangement for the lorry park to hold port-bound freight traffic during TAP or Brock operations.

💷The proposal appears to be a purely commercial development intended to generate profit for GSE (or any future operator).

Local people deserve transparency about what this development really would, and would not, achieve.

07/05/2026

📢In Case You Missed It

The Action Group's March newsletter can be read here: https://www.truckoff.org/post/march-news-update

Although the formal planning application for the proposed 70-acre HGV lorry park has been delayed, the Action Group has continued working tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of the community.

Recent progress includes:
✍️ Launching a petition
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-construction-of-a-lorry-park-in-our-scenic-villages

💚 Launching a GoFundMe campaign
https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-white-cliff-country-from-environmental-catastrophe

🤝 Engaging with elected councillors and MP Mike Tapp

🌍 Working with stakeholders committed to protecting the iconic White Cliffs Heritage Coast and Kent Downs landscape.

The newsletter outlines recent actions, future plans, and how you can support the campaign.

Hello, we are Dianne & Steve and we are helping to fight a serio… Steve Oxenham needs your support for SAVE WHITE CLIFF COUNTRY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE

17/03/2026

📢 1,200+ Signatures — Thank You! 💚

Over 1,200 people have now signed the petition opposing the proposed HGV lorry park near Hougham — a strong message from the community.

Why it matters:
🏞️ Inside a protected landscape
📍 Just 450m from the White Cliffs
🏠 Around 400m from homes
🚛 Concerns over noise, traffic & pollution
⚠️ Not a real solution to TAP or Brock
📉 Sets a worrying planning precedent

If you haven’t signed yet, please add your name 👇
🔗 https://c.org/R7brPrQvdK

Wrong place. Wrong proposal. Please keep sharing!

Stop the construction of a lorry park in our scenic villages

22/02/2026

🔎 Follow the Business Model — Not the 'Glossy' GSE Marketing

In March 2024, after developing Ashford International Truckstop, GSE sold the site to BP Pulse and then leased it back to continue operating it.

That’s a commercial decision — and it highlights an important point:

This is a private, profit-led development model, not a publicly owned, or infrastructure solution designed solely around long-term driver welfare or strategic freight planning.

At Ashford, GSE also owned adjoining land. Instead of expanding an established, well-located motorway truck stop, that land was released for housing — while a new lorry park is now being proposed on protected countryside elsewhere.

That raises fair questions:

• If capacity is needed, why not expand existing motorway-based sites?
• Why move into protected farmland within a National Landscape?
• Is this about strategic freight planning — or land value and development opportunity?

It’s also worth remembering that once a site is developed and industrial use established, ownership can change — as we’ve already seen.

Future operators may not share the same promises or priorities made at application stage.
And once industrial development is accepted in protected countryside, it becomes much harder to resist expansion or further intensification later.

This isn’t about being anti-business or anti lorry.
It’s about asking whether a private commercial model should be setting planning precedent inside a protected National Landscape.

Look beyond the branding.
Look at the structure.
Look at the long-term implications.

20/02/2026

🚧 Just for a bit of fun… 🚧

When driving into Dover, there's currently the sign:
“Welcome to DOVER in White Cliffs Country”

If the proposed lorry park goes ahead… should it be updated? 👀

We’ve mocked up a few tongue-in-cheek alternatives — photos below ⬇️

What would you rename it?

Drop your funniest (or most creative!) caption ideas in the comments 👇
Keep it witty, keep it clever…

Let’s see what the community sense of humour looks like 😄

17/02/2026

🎶 Community Spirit is Strong! 🎶

It's been great to see the support and creativity coming from across the community. One talented community member Steve Oxenham has even written a song inspired by the fight to protect Hougham.

It’s amazing to see people channel their passion in such a positive way 💚

Have a listen and let us know what you think!

👇 And we’d love to hear from you:
• Do you have lyric ideas to add?
• What line best captures why this place matters to you?

Let’s keep the momentum going — together.

15/02/2026

Want to stay up to date on the proposed lorry site?

We don’t just post updates here on Facebook — you can also get the latest news straight to your inbox! 💌

Head over to TruckOff.org
Scroll down, and add your details to sign up for our mailing list. Every sign-up helps keep our community informed and ready to take action!

🌿 Stay informed, stay involved, and help protect our local landscape.