Important: Update on 16 March 2023.
The whole of bridleway EE233 – all the way from the Sandwich road A258, past the pumping station, Roaring Gutter, and as far as Blue Pigeons Farm, Worth, is subject to a temporary closure which was brought in “overnight” as an “emergency”. Apparently some of the watercourse banks along which EE233 runs seem to have been undermined by beavers.
1. Proposed new footpath between Eastry and Hammill
A rare claim by Hugh Craddock that would not be useable by horses – and it’s being given priority status by KCC. This new footpath would leave Gore Lane, near Eastry Primary School, at GR306 550. Heading westwards across country it would terminate on the lane south of the old brickworks site at GR 290 555. At about a mile long, this would be a very useful addition to the PROW network.
2. Claimed new bridleways and byway in Barham parish
Although just outside the White Cliffs territory, Barham is a parish in which we do walk from time to time. Mr Craddock is claiming: (a) an upgrade to bridleway of the two footpaths (CB289 which becomes CB291) which lead southwards from almost opposite the old Bishopsbourne station. They run for something like a mile and a quarter to Pheasant Hall Road at GR 178 506. (b) a new byway open to all traffic, running for some 300 yards from Dane Farm at GR 176 479, north-westwards along a track in the direction of Palmstead, to Peafield Wood Road at GR 174 480.
3. Local Development Issues
New news this month includes:
Sholden – new housing between the A257 London Road and Mongeham Road. Application resubmitted under DDC Planning ref 23/00111. KCC PROW are accepting of the proposed route of ED39 in an open/green corridor through the site, but have made representations re surfacing etc. Meanwhile the developer has lodged an appeal that DDC have been acting too slowly in determining the issue – the whole of which is of course opposed by locals.
Waldershare Deer Park: full details can be found under Dover DC Planning ref 22/01567. The last month has seen changes to the boundaries of the proposed park, plus more details of gates on PROW. However Tilmanstone Parish Council in particular are still not happy about the effect on PROW, especially the NDW.
4. England Coast Path – problem at N Foreland Golf Club at last resolved?
It appears that after more than 5 years of wrangling, the issue of fencing the Path alongside the North Foreland Golf Club may have been resolved. If so, we can hopefully look forward to Ramsgate-Whitstable section of the Path being finally open this summer.
There is no new news this month on the many PROW change issues still live – in Alkham, Goodnestone, Bishopsbourne, Nonington, Shepherdswell and Staple. But for more details of these and any other PROW issues, please contact Roger King on 01304 362730, or by email at roger.rambler89@outlook.com
