PROW NEWS – February 2025 UPDATES
I
Having said there was no news of PROW changes last month, clearly KCC have now returned from their holidays with a bang!
Creation of a new restricted byway east of Westmarsh is confirmed
(Ash EE501)
Now confirmed – the creation of a new restricted byway from Ware Road, a lane south-east of Westmarsh, at Hawthorn Farm House (GR 284 608), northwards up the existing Corner Drove track for almost one mile. Footpaths EE67 and EE66 cross the track west to east. The route has a cul-de-sac terminus on the Ash Levels, not far south of the Stour, close to footpath EE65, but not actually connecting with it. However, the onward continuation of Corner Drove (not claimed as a PROW) will enable people to bridge the gap as far as EE65 at GR 285 677.
Upgrading of part of Ash footpath EE66, east of Westmarsh, to restricted byway statusis confirmed (as Ash EE502)
Also confirmed is the upgrading to restricted byway status of the eastern half of footpath EE66, an existing track from Corner Drove at GR 285 614 east to Paramour Street at GR 290 616, where the onward path becomes EE54. Total distance involved = one-third of a mile. However, there are also two areas where the route would be changed somewhat by moving it further south – at least in theory. In practice, people are unlikely not to use the existing well-marked grassy/dirt track.
Creation of a new bridleway south of the Alkham Valley Road is confirmed (Hawkinge HE376)
A claim for which Averil Brice must take considerable credit, this order creates a new bridleway on an existing track. It runs from a point on the Alkham Valley Road opposite Church Lane at GR 227 392, generally south-east for 800 yards up to Cutthroat Lane at GR 232 388. The latter is another existing track (with public access rights) running from a point further east on the Alkham Valley Road through to Crete Road East above Folkestone, and to the North Downs Way.
A claimed connection between two Kingsdown bridleways has been confirmed – as footpath ER306
For years we have used a short (50 yards) path connecting bridleways ER23 and ER24 at Kingsdown. The southernmost point (the ER24 junction) is just beyond the southern end of the metalled Victoria Road at GR 373 477, and the path is normally used by people then walking north-westwards through Kingsdown Wood and onwards towards Ringwould. This order designates the link as a PROW, including the short distance between ER24 and Victoria Road.
Proposed upgrading of Sutton footpaths EE422/EE423A to bridleway status
KCC is consulting on a claim for upgrading this path to bridleway status. It runs northwards from Sutton Lane (the lane from Ripple to Beacon Hill) at GR 343 501 up to and over Beacon Hill and then down again to the road at Little Mongeham
(GR 333 509). A route often used on club walks.
Proposed upgrading of Sholden footpath ED56 to restricted byway status
Another new claim which KCC are investigating. 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.
Development proposals affecting PROW
Application for 23 new houses approved at Lydden (Ref 23/01061)
The Dover DC Planning Committee held on 16 January gave the go ahead for this new development, between the main Canterbury Road and Church Lane, despite local objections. Footpath ER116 runs along the eastern boundary of the site, and the path itself will remain on the same alignment. However, the views west to Church Lane across fields will of course have gone.
Alkham – works approved at “Evergreen”, Slip Lane (Ref 22/01625)
Improvements proposed to the property and its surroundings were relatively minor, but footpath ER162 runs through the front garden and then down the side of the site. Heather Waller of KCC PROW successfully objected to the fact that a new patio would encroach on the path, and the patio and a storage area have been reduced in size as a result.
Proposed changes to local government and the planning system
I have no crystal ball, but two announcements made this last month could have a significant impact of rights of way issues.
- You will have seen that KCC agreed to an early start on the reorganisation of local government within the county. Those of you with memories as long as mine will remember what the state of PROW was like before KCC took over centralised control in 1991. It would be a disaster if we were to return to anything like that, so representations may be needed at a future date.
- Very recently, the government has been talking about major changes to the planning system. Again, we are long way from seeing any concrete proposals, but it seems likely that opportunities for objections to proposals – on whatever basis – will be diminished.
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
Local Footpath Officer vacancies
Within the Ramblers, the work of maintaining and protecting our valuable network of public footpaths is undertaken by various volunteers, including our Vegetation Clearance Team; Parish Footpath Observers (PFOs) and Local Footpath Officers (LFOs).
We currently looking to recruit additional Local Footpath Officers to cover parishes in the Folkestone and Hythe district. Much of the work of the LFO can be done from home, so you do not necessarily have to live in one of these parishes. The main tasks of the LFO are to scrutinise proposals to divert or extinguish public rights of way, and to consider planning applications that may have an impact on a footpath.
If this is a role that might interest you, or would like more information about the role and support that is available, please contact me:
Tony Bristow
Email: at.bristow@gmail.com or telephone 07976 944396
