PROW NEWS – JULY 2024 UPDATES
A much quieter month on the PROW changes front….
Nonington area – order made to upgrade footpaths EE307A, EE307B and EE264 to restricted byway status
These paths run continuously from Sandwich Lane, at the southern boundary of Fredville Park (GR 264 509) north-eastwards for around 1.8 miles through to the Thornton Lane track, byway EE335, at GR 288 522 (just into Eastry parish). Much of the first two paths at the south-west end is currently very narrow and enclosed, so a lot of work would be needed to make them available for horses etc. But these issues are decided on historical evidence, not the desirability or suitability of the routes for upgrading.
Woodnesborough footpath EE195 – serious illegal blockage now cleared
This path had been illegally blocked by the landowner for several months. Just beyond where it leaves footpath EE196 (Ringleton Manor gates to Coombe Lane), a barbed wire had been erected fence preventing access (at GR 298 574). This was partly torn down in early March, but the response was to erect a new double fence, plus an official-looking (but “illegal”) plaque to indicate the route was closed. In the event, the obstruction was removed on the day in mid-June before KCC were due to take direct action to remove it. But only the minimum has been done, and KCC intend to pursue the landowner to remove barbed wire left lying around and put the path into a better condition than at present.
Proposed new housing at South Court Garage in Great Mongeham village
The only new news on the development front this month has been the proposal to build houses on the garage site in the centre of the village, opposite the Three Horseshoes pub (Dover Planning ref. 24/00296). Footpath ED38 – with connections to Sholden, Mongeham church and Northbourne – runs along the north-eastern edge of the site, but the existence of the path has not been acknowledged, nor is there any reference as to how it may be affected. Consequently KCC PROW (and myself) have objected to this omission.
Parish FP Observer (PFO) vacancy in Ash
Having said very recently that all parishes in the White Cliffs area were now covered by PFOs, I have to report that the PFO for Ash has unfortunately had to resign. For anyone prepared to take it on, it is a very interesting parish with lots of PROW in what is quite a sizeable area, stretching from the eastern end of the A257 bypass as far north-west as Plucks Gutter. In fact it’s a parish which would easily lend itself to being covered by more than one person. If you are interested, I’m sure that Margaret Milsted-Williamson would be delighted to hear from you.
Aldington Solar Farms – formal application now submitted by Evolution Power
This is the largest of the proposed solar farms in the Aldington area, and will potentially have a big effect on local PROW – and the landscape, of course. The Stonestreet Green solar farm could cover land the size of 250 football pitches. A full Development Consent Order (DCO) has now been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, as it has a capacity of over 50MW – so a DCO from the government is needed to give permission for it to be built. For those with a particular interest in this project, a very detailed update is available (from me), but with the issue to be discussed at our Local FP Officers meeting on 5 July, there will likely be more news next month.
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
