PROW NEWS – FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATES
A quiet start to the New Year, with just one issue grabbing the headlines (literally)
- Closure – and hopefully the reopening – of the Collier’s Gate, Betteshanger Country Park
As covered widely in the media and on White Cliffs Facebook…..
Early in January came the news that the Park owners were closing the Collier’s Gate “for the foreseeable future”. They claimed there had been fly tipping and anti-social behaviour in the area. But an FOI request to Dover DC revealed that no fly tipping in that area had been reported to them. The general outcry provided the Mercury’s main front page story mid-month, and social media had plenty to say as usual.
Various representations were made to local Councillors during the month, and at the full Dover District Council meeting on 28 January, the Council leader revealed that an amicable meeting just had been held with the owners of the Park, and they had given assurances that Gate would be reopened in the very near future. Hopefully it may even be open by the time you read this. However, since the park is privately owned, DDC cannot force them to reopen.
Meanwhile, making a claim that the path should be designated a PROW through 20 years “as of right” usage (essentially before 2007) is still being considered. But such things, involving the collection of local evidence, can be laborious, and any claim will have to wait at least 3 years before KCC can investigate, such is their current backlog.
- Footpath News
For the first time since I began my reports six years ago, there are literally no updates concerning paths this month, nor are there any new planning applications which might adversely affect our local PROW.
Time perhaps to remind you of the historically large number of KCC ordersmade but objected to, which have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for a decision on the basis of written representations from all parties involved.
The list comprises:
- Ottinge (south of Elham parish) – claimed new restricted byway from Millhill Farm to Mount Farm, north-west of the main Elham Valley road. This would create a public through route from the Valley road through to Magpie Lane/Cullens Hill.
- Nonington – one upgrading and one creation (both restricted byway status) claimed in the St Alban’s Downs area, in the east of the parish. The upgrading here would extend as far as the Thornton Lane to Elvington byway.
- Nonington – upgrading to restricted byway of 1.8 miles of footpath from just south of Fredville Park north-easterly through to Thornton Lane.
NB All these Nonington routes would to some extent be affected by the new Solar Farm proposed for this area.
- Barham – claimed new byway open to all (including motorised) traffic from Dane Farm to Peafield Wood Road, in the far south-west of the parish.
- Stelling Minnis – claimed new bridleway in the south of the parish, from the corner of Eastleigh Wood eastwards to the main Stelling Minnis – Rhodes Minnis road near Wheelbarrow Town.
- Kingston – claimed new footpath on the line of the former Elham Valley Railway, from the old railway bridge on Covet Lane south to the next bridleway.
I will let you know when decisions are eventually published. Surely, even with the PINS backlogs, all of them must be decided this year
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
