PROW NEWS – APRIL UPDATES
- Worth bridleway EE232 – proposed upgrading to restricted byway status
This probably won’t affect walkers very much, as horses can use both bridleways and restricted byways, although the latter can also be used by non-motorised vehicles. The route, already a well-established track, runs from the eastern end of the tarmac road from Worth village (Goretop Lane), near the Blue Pigeons Farm, across the railway and as far as Guilford Road, the main road into the Sandwich Bay estate. At the western end, an extra 150 yard section of EE232 will be created eastwards from where bridleway EE233 (which leads across the marshes eventually to Hacklinge) emerges onto Goretop Lane – which is the point at which EE232 officially begins at present.
- Ramsgate footpath TR26 – small diversion off New Haine Road
This essentially urban footpath, between the new and old Haine Roads, has already been truncated and diverted once in the past decade. Now it is to be diverted again, a little way to the east from where it currently leaves New Haine Road (at GR 360 666), to accommodate new padel courts and associated buildings.
- Paddlesworth – KCC accepts the case for the creation of new byways
Claims from Hugh Craddock and Averil Brice have been accepted by KCC. This means that an order will soon be published which would create a new short section of byway open to all traffic at its southern end, but essentially a restricted byway of some 1,000 yards. It would run from the public road at Redsole Farm (GR 202 401) north-eastwards along an existing track to Pay Street at GR 207 408. The new route will run parallel to footpath HE236, about 200 yards further to the east.
Development proposals:
Two major projects have just (26 March) been approved by Dover DC’s Planning Committee, the first one narrowly and with conditions re safety:
- Kingsdown – proposed new housing (“Woodhill Farm”) between Ringwould Road, north of the Recreation Ground, and Glen Road
The proposal (Dover planning ref. 25/00112) is for 64 houses, mostly nearer to the Glen Road end of this land. Bridleway ER21 will be directly affected as it will essentially form the western boundary of the housing, but is to be routed on its present line through an open green area, and resurfaced to a width of 3 metres. Part of bridleway ER20 is also affected, as it will run along the western edge of the open green area south of ER21. Both bridleway ER21 and footpath ER5 exit onto Ringwould Road at what will be the main access point to the new development. Negotiations are ongoing about how to give maximum protection to pedestrians in this area.
- Northbourne parish – proposed development of Holiday Lodges, south of the Straight Mile, Betteshanger (Dover planning ref. 25/00976)
South of the Straight Mile, and east of Northbourne Park School, this sizeable development would involve the erection of some 96 lodges in “parkland” with relevant ancillary buildings and features (full details online). Bridleway EE361, which connects with the Straight Mile, would not be significantly affected by additional vehicle movements, as a new access road would be built just to the west. However bridleways EE376 and EE377 would cut right across the northern end of the site from east to west. The plans reflect the fact that these routes would not be obstructed or subject to diversion, but the character of the area they cross would of course be changed somewhat. The KCC PROW Officer has no objection, but asks that surface enhancements are incorporated (and paid for) as part of the development itself, rather than, as in many cases, through a separate Section 106 (improvements) agreement. 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
