PROW NEWS – MARCH UPDATES
Another relatively quiet month, with no new housing developments or solar farms announced which might affect PROW.
- Woodnesborough footpath EE196 – extension proposed to rectify cul-de-sac anomaly
KCC have a long list of rights of way anomalies that they address as time allows – things like paths stopping for no apparent reason at a parish boundary. In law, EE196 is currently a cul-de-sac, with its northern terminus at Ringleton Gate (GR 298 574). In reality, walkers then turn through 90 degrees onto a track which leads north-west in 100 yards to Coombe Lane, south-east of Ash village. It now appears that this track was an old public road, and as such should be redesignated as a public footpath. In practice it was never under threat, but to have legal status as a right of way can only be a good thing.
- Claimed new footpath (EE500) between Eastry and Hammill – referred to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to rule on objections
This was a rare claim by Hugh Craddock that would not be useable by horses. The new footpath would leave Gore Lane, near Eastry Primary School, at GR 306 550. Heading westwards across country it would terminate on the lane south of the old Hammill brickworks site at GR 290 555. At about a mile long, this would be a very useful addition to the PROW network. However, objections to the order have been received, so it will be up to a PINS Inspector to make a final decision based on the historical evidence and written representations.
- Footbridge on Sandwich footpath ES5 has now been rebuilt and the route reopened
Footpath ES5, between the town walls and St George’s Road, had been closed since early last year, due to the footbridge at GR 335 578 being deemed unsafe. However, the good news is that the £30,000 rebuild has now been completed, and the path is fully open again.
One of the reasons why some things seem to be hanging fire, is the Planning Inspectorate’s backlog of unresolved objections to PROW orders, including a fair number in Kent. In the White Cliffs area alone, there are now seven issues (five creations and two upgradings) awaiting an Inspector’s decision. Some will be waiting a long time.
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
