PROW NEWS – January 2025 UPDATES
In wishing everyone a Happy New Year, the perhaps surprising news is that there is no news this month – at least in terms of progress or new proposals regarding public rights of way changes and creations.
However, there is still plenty to report, starting with some really good news:
- Government scraps the 2031 deadline for claiming new paths on the basis of historical documentary evidence
This is something the Ramblers had been lobbying for, and the government has now agreed to scrap the revised deadline of 2031 for claiming new routes. In part this is due to the fact that Councils don’t have the resources to deal with claims already in the pipeline without long delays, and the cut-off date would likely have led to a further spike in claims ahead of that time.
Here in Kent we are relatively well served, but even so a new case is likely to take 4+ years before being investigated. But, what effect might the proposed local government changes have on this process? That, as they say, is a very good question! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89yddgg7yo
- Development on the Capel-le-Ferne Battery Site
(Open Access Land under the 2000 CROW Act)
Many members will remember the fight we were involved in during the last decade to secure proper access to this piece of land between the Valiant Sailor, the North Downs Way and the Battle of Britain Memorial. Eventually this was achieved after KCC took legal action against the landowner.
Now a retrospective planning application has been made (24/1896/FH) for the erection on this land of a Nissan hut and storage containers in conjunction with a proposed WW2 museum. KCC have pointed out that the fact of its being Access Land is a material consideration. But, the area of land on which the buildings stand is near to the main road and not in the grassy area that people normally walk through, so no objection is being lodged.
- Proposed new housing between Ringwould Road and Glen Road, Kingsdown (Woodhill Farm)
This is still at an early stage and no formal planning application has yet been lodged, but the plan is for 70 new houses, mostly nearer to the Glen Road end of this land. Bridleway ER21 will be directly affected as it will form the NW boundary of the site, and then cross part of the site itself in reaching Ringwould Road. Local people are signing a petition in protest at the development, and our LFO will be watching closely to see what provision is made for ER21 when detailed plans are finally released. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/we-don-t-want-our-village-turned-into-a-conurbation-317545/
NB KentOnline is trying to hide behind a paywall, but articles are often still accessible for free.
- New housing at Densole – Folkestone & Hythe DC approve plans
The District Council Planning Committee has just approved an application (24/0125/FH) for 44 new houses to be built opposite the Black Horse at Densole. This will be bounded on one side by the main Canterbury Road (A 260), and on another by Coach Road. Footpath HE109, which heads WNW towards Ridge Row, will be directly affected as it crosses the site. Plans presented show the footpath retained on more or less its current alignment, and passing through “green areas” within the site, but of course the character of the route will be hugely changed. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/unpopular-development-would-be-disastrous-317832/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHaZ8JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdwyllCV2gG9HO7tpVV1ULqKQt_rEF4K-a4Dj92ZOCuYdp38HU1EHI4_dg_aem_OFeZ8HoXzlJa33SfUmtzwg
- New edition of OS Explorer map (1:25,000) sheet 149
– Sittingbourne & FavershamThose of you who like to walk west of the line Seasalter-Dunkirk–Shalmsford Street may be interested to know that the local OS Explorer map has been revised for the first time in 10 years. Public Rights of Way information shown has been updated to 1 March 2024. Be sure to look out for the new cover (with cloudscape) and the fact that the England Coast Path is shown
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
