PROW NEWS – August 2024 UPDATES
Another quiet month on the PROW changes front….
- Wingham EE174 – Diversion order for this footpath, north of Staple Road, now confirmed
As previously mentioned, Dover DC has approved the building of a new housing development in this large field on the south-eastern edge of the village (DDC planning ref. 23/00976). Footpath EE174 is to be retained on almost 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 new houses. The diversion will not actually come into effect until the new houses are built (construction has not yet begun) and KCC certifies that the new path meets their requirements.
- Margate – claim of new short urban right of way off the High Street
A claim has been lodged with KCC for the establishment of a PROW along the short footpath between the lower High Street (the sea end) and the Market Street car park. Hardly rural, but it appears to have been something of an issue locally.
- Ramsgate footpath TR26 – extension of temporary closure
Again, essentially urban and probably of interest only to members resident locally, this short path – between the old and new Haine Roads at around GR 359 667 – has seen its temporary closure extended until August 2026 due to development work in the area.
- Great Mongeham – proposal for new housing rejected
The proposal (Dover DC planning ref 24/00170) to build 23 houses on part of the large field SW of St Edmund’s Road in Great Mongeham, behind the Three Horseshoes pub, was rejected at the July meeting of the Planning Committee. This in spite of a recommended approval by DDC planning officers. Locals are well pleased, but I feel we have not heard the last of this. Footpath ED38 would have run through the site, and ED60 would also have been affected.
- Minster Marshes – proposed electricity converter station
As mentioned earlier this year, whilst it might not directly affect any PROW, this proposal would have a major impact on the feel of the area and potentially on its wildlife. A huge converter station would be built just east of the railway line at Weatherlees, (between Minster and Ebbsfleet), with overhead cabling on pylons some 150 feet high crossing the river.
To locals’ dismay, news came in July that the station could be bigger than originally thought…‘It’s environmental vandalism’: Minster Marsh electrical converter station could be even bigger (kentonline.co.uk)
- Woodnesborough footpath EE195 – former blocked path now properly cleared
I wrote last month that the illegal barbed wire blockage on this path just beyond where it leaves footpath EE196 (Ringleton Manor gates to Coombe Lane), at GR 298 574, had at last been cleared. However, it appeared that the absolute minimum had been done and that whilst useable, the path was still not in great condition. But during July, KCC have obviously leant once again on the landowner as the path is now clearer and in better condition than for 20 years. I have a video of the route as it now is should anyone be interested, but sadly my IT skills are not up to embedding it into this update.
- Parish FP Observer (PFO) vacancy in both Woodnesborough and Ash
Last month I mentioned that all the parishes in the White Cliffs area were now covered by PFOs – with the exception of the sizeable parish of Ash. I now learn that we have a vacancy in neighbouring Woodnesborough as well. This is also an interesting parish of a significant (but smaller) size, extending as it does from the Sandwich bypass as far as the Black Pig at Barnsole. So again, if you are interested, I’m sure that Margaret Milsted-Williamson would be delighted to hear from you.
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
