PROW NEWS – March 2024 UPDATES
Barham CB246 – confirmed small diversion of this FP at Ham Farm
The order to divert this footpath onto an existing track a short way to the east of the present definitive route at Ham Farm (situated just east of Covert Woods) is now confirmed.
Order made to create a new restricted byway in Eastry, from Great Selson Farm north to Drainless Road (would be numbered EE499)
Another Hugh Craddock claim, this is already a well-marked track, connecting Selson Lane west of Eastry village at GR 300 556 with the road to from Eastry to Staple at GR 305 560.
Whitfield ER71/ER63 – diversion orders in respect of new housing development confirmed
This affects two footpaths which run through the site of the new Whitfield housing development being built between Archers Court Road and the A256 dual carriageway. Fortunately this is a very small diversion, made essential only by the new house construction, and in an open area.
Ringwould, Ripple, Langdon parishes – orders made for proposed extensions of bridleway ER16
Where these three parishes meet, at Ringwould Road, south-west of the village at GR 352 479, it had been discovered that the bridleway does not actually extend as far as the road! This order would create that short extension, together with an equally short new branch emerging directly opposite footpath EE451 (Hangman’s Lane).
Nonington area – proposed upgrade of various footpaths to restricted byway status
KCC accept evidence to support the upgrading of:
EE307A/307B/264 – from Sandwich Lane, at the southern boundary of Fredville Park (GR 264 509) north-eastwards for approx 1.6 miles through to the Thornton Lane Track, byway EE335, at GR 288 522. Expect an upgrading order soon.
KCC reject evidence to support the upgrading of:
EE323 – from the Chillenden to Elvington road junction at St Alban’s Downs (GR 273 526), south-eastwards for almost a mile through to the existing byway EE335, which runs from Thorntonhill to Elvington, at GR 283 515.
A proposed new short (50 yds) restricted byway south-eastwards along the track just south of Sandwich Road, opposite byway EE280 (Gooseberry Hall Lane) at GR 270 528. It leads to Grannies Lane, the road to Elvington.
A rare setback for Hugh Craddock, but on past form expect appeals on these two.
Wingham EE174 – Proposed diversion of footpath north of Staple Road
As previously mentioned, Dover DC recently has approved the building of a new housing development in this large field on the south-eastern edge of the village (DDC ref. 23/00976). Footpath EE174 would be retained on exactly the same alignment with a “resin-bound gravel surface” and “integrated into the streetscape, with tree planting and attractive frontages”, i.e. just in front of some of the houses
Local development issues – new housing proposed in Gt. Mongeham
No significant movement on any of the issues mentioned previously. However, a new proposal (DDC ref 24/00170) has recently been made to build 23 houses on part of the large field SW of St Edmund’s Road in Great Mongeham, behind the Three Horseshoes. Footpath ED38 runs across the proposed site and ED60 along its SE boundary. Well over 100 objections have already been lodged and the number is growing rapidly.
Updated edition of OS Explorer Map for Canterbury, Deal, Thanet and Herne Bay areas (sheet 150)
I mentioned this in good faith last month, expecting to find the new edition in the shops by now. Well it isn’t, but it is coming. So do be careful to avoid buying the 2017 edition in the meantime.
Other Issues
No “new news” this month on any of other the outstanding path change issues, but why the Planning Inspectorate’s decisions on the proposed creation of new byways in the Staple/Goodnestone area are taking so long is a mystery to me.
As always, if you would like more details about any of the issues mentioned above, or any others for that matter, please contact Roger King on 01304 362730, or e-mail roger.rambler89@outlook.com
