Proposed upgrading of Sholden footpath ED56 to restricted byway status – KCC accept that there is sufficient evidence
This path runs from Sholden church north-east along the Sholden/Deal parish boundary as far as Church Lane. The route already has a tarmac surface and is very well used. KCC have examined the evidence and concluded that an upgrading order should be made, so expect to see one published soon.
- Creation of a new restricted byway, Eastry EE399, from Great Selson Farm north to Drainless Road – to be decided by written representations
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 from Eastry to Staple at GR 305 560. However, objections have been received, so the issue will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate. All parties involved have the right to make written representations, and the result should be known in August or September.
- Order made to create a new footpath (CB553) south of Kingston along the old Elham Valley Railway track
This order will create a 1/4 mile footpath from the southern end of footpath CB542 at GR 199 510, over the old railway bridge above Covet Lane, and into Barham parish, essentially along the trackbed of the former Elham Valley Railway. It will run south-east as far as the track carrying bridleway CB230 at GR 201 508.
Development proposals affecting PROW:
- Large residential development west of Nash Road, Margate, approved
An extraordinary Thanet DC Planning Committee meeting on 16 April gave the green light to the Humbers Mill development of 1,461 new houses. To be built on agricultural fields, this will affect the Half Mile Ride bridleway (TM11) just south of Margate Cemetery, which crosses the Site from Nash Road in the east, where it is a grass track, and connects to Manston Road on the west where it is paved. It also affects bridleway TM16, connecting Valley Road (TM17) in the west, to Nash Road in the east, and footpath TM17, which runs south from Manston Road along the western edge of the site.
More details via the link. Apologies if Kent OnLine have their intermittent paywall up.
- Whitfield expansion: two new developments approved in the area between Archers Court Road and the Parish Church
Outline planning permission has been granted (ref.25/00830) for a proposed 309 houses between Archer’s Court Road and Whitfield church. This will effectively swallow up Parsonage Farm, plus the whole of footpath ER62. In some respects this will not be wholly negative, since ER62 has been blocked for many years where it leaves Archers Court Road (GR 311 455), and new paths within the site are promised.
Also detailed plans (ref. 25/01458) have been approved for a development of 430 houses between the present north-eastern edge of the village and the parish church. This will absorb the whole section of footpath ER63 between the church and Beauxfield. The path will cross a new spine road which will be constructed, but here again there are safeguards and new walking routes are promised. KCC PROW are pressing for a management plan for the rights of way involved.
And so, another stage of the Whitfield Expansion Plan, published in 2011 and which foresaw the building of 5,750 houses in the next 25 years, becomes a reality. By the late 2030s, the village will have become a small town, with many more PROW acquiring an urban character.
Once again, the link has more details, assuming no paywall.
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 07779 533 583, or e-mail roger.rambler89@outlook.com
