Regarding Canterbury City Council’s Call for Sites for the next district plan.
The parish council members will be discussing the call for sites over the coming months. We live here too and want what is best for the parish. We want to hear resident’s views.
Council members will be asked at the next parish council meeting how they wish to take this forward. They will also discuss holding a public meeting, once Covid restrictions are over. Currently we can only have 10 members of the public present at face-to-face meetings. We also need to make sure residents without social media are aware and are able to have an input, so any public meeting is likely to take place after the next newsletter goes out in June.
The Parish Council fully understands all the concerns and the anger that the prospect of yet more development in our parish, has generated, but there is no need for wild accusations and speculation. These sites have not been confirmed for inclusion in the new Local Plan and like all the other sites that have been put forward, will not be considered by Canterbury City Council, for taking forward until late 2021 or early 2022. However, the parish council wants to be ready if the proposed sites in our area are taken forward.
The local plan process usually takes 4-5 years. Residents need to understand this will be a long haul and we will get the best possible outcome if we all work together.
Once Canterbury City Council closes the call for sites, they will take an in depth look at the proposed sites, many will not be taken forward. Those that are, will then go out to public consultation.
In the meantime, the Parish Council will gather all the facts and listen to all views before making its response.
Many residents seem unaware of what is going on in our area or appreciate the many hours that parish councillors and our office staff spend on trying to get the best outcome on developments, that are determined by the City Council and in some cases (if an application goes to appeal) a Government Inspector. The Parish Council is currently in discussion with the prospective developer of Strode Farm to improve the access, open spaces and design elements. Unfortunately, due to the Secretary of State not upholding the Inspectors ruling that the development of Strode Farm be refused, this development will go ahead. The Parish Council is working hard to get the best from this development for both the existing residents and those who will occupy the new homes.
Parish Councillors are not paid but are allowed a small allowance of up to £150 a year, but not all claim this.
We are fortunate to have a Chartered Civil Engineer on our planning committee, Cllr Blatherwick, who has attended and made representations at all the public inquiry meetings called in respect of the former Golf Course, Strode Farm and Hillborough developments. She has also been able to have a big input into the design of the Bullockstone Road Improvement Scheme. There has been a recent meeting with KCC Highways Engineer to discuss some issues raised by the Parish Council with regard to some issues with the Bullockstone Road Improvement Scheme, the position of the lagoon, the width of the road, replacement tree planting, the soil conditions (London Clay), which will need mitigation and others. It is hoped that these are now going to be resolved satisfactorily. The final design is with Kent Highways. Updated plans are expected to be issued soon, but Canterbury City Council has approved the planning application, with conditions. It is understood that some forward funding has been secured to allow stages 1 & 2 to go ahead. There will also be funding from Strode Farm development and Hillborough.