Retro-fitting should not just be supported, but mandated, where appropriate. Acol, for example has no high speed broadband infrastructure. Provision is patchy, slow and unreliable. Neighbouring villages now have full fibre provision through Virgin Media, whose network may well pass through our community, but the company will not offer its services in Acol because it cannot make a business case.

In 2018 there have already been over 40 illegal traveller encampments in Thanet. It is untrue to state that Traveller encampments are only an occasional problem.

Thanet rural roads that evolved from cart tracks, but which still are narrow with no pedestrian provision, are now heavily used by both commercial and personal vehicles as dangerous cross district "rat runs". The situation has been exacerbated by extensive use of satellite technology quickest/ shortest routing options, although the utilised lanes may not be on sign-posted routes. Local people are discouraged from walking and cycling, despite their wish to pursue healthier lifestyles (as encourag

The water supply in Thanet is already extremely stressed and (as clear from the document) fragile/ vulnerable. Any development of the scale envisaged by this plan should be supported by well-researched evidence that major obstacles to effective sustainable development can and will be overcome. It is not acceptable to expect such a major infrastructural resource requirement to be addressed piecemeal by developers even 'though they may be working with relevant authorities. At present this vital as

The proposed housing development over the plan period is likely to increase the population by more than 50,000, set against which the additional 5.000 jobs envisaged are totally inadequate. Thanet already has relatively high unemployment, at close to 5%. The plan fails to demonstrate how the demand for jobs can be realistically met.