Protect the Elham Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Contact the author of the petition

UPDATE FROM ELHAM VALLEY SOCIETY 20 JUNE 2016

2016-06-20 15:52:29

EVS/EVAG UPDATE 20 JUNE 2016  

PLEASE COULD YOU ALL SPARE 5 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TO READ AND ACTION THE REQUEST BELOW, IT IS VITATLLY IMPORTANT AND WILL EFFECT ANYONE WHO LIVES LOCALLY.

http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=dates&keyVal=O5ZGAPNZ05500

Above is the link for the Planning application for the first static caravan on the Wingmore development. Static caravans are not touring vans. The site licence and certificate of lawful development granted to the owner’s stated that the site was or Touring caravans only.

In their application to the council the owner’s have stated they need a 2 bedroom static for a warden to live in and that they have permission for residential caravans. The planning officers are quite likely to support this as a logical extension of their plans and a first step towards more permanent and extensive change of use / intensification of land use. Confirmation that the community have been right all along and that certain individuals within Shepway Council are supporting the owners of the site and ignoring the pleas from local, taxpaying residents!

There's a caravan site near Chilham where you can see examples of static caravans to get an idea of what they will look like.

You can object to this planning application.  

The links below will help you understand what you can object to about this planning application and take you to the Shepway District Council site. You need to register with them to lodge your objection.

Not difficult and so very important that as many people as possible object to this ludicrous application.  

http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage  

https://www.richmond.gov.uk/what_is_a_valid_objection_to_a_planning_application  

 


Elham Valley Residents

ELHAM VALLEY SOCIETY MEDIA RELEASE 8 FEBRUARY 2016

2016-02-09 09:27:39

ELHAM VALLEY SOCIETY MEDIA RELEASE 8 FEBRUARY 2016

 
Please click on the links below to view the media release issued on behalf of the Elham Valley Society, 8 February 2016.
 
More interest is expected but can everybody please tweet, post and share as widely as possible! 
 
 
 
For more information contact:  Malcolm Triggs on: malcolm@go4marketing.net   07970 968314
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Elham Valley Residents

EVAG UPDATE 18 NOVEMBER 2015

2015-11-18 11:44:25
EVAG SUPPORTERS
 

The Event at Barham Village Hall on the 27th  November has had to be postponed and will now take place during  February.


Owing to the time of year and many people's prior commitments it was clear that a lot of committed supporters of the  campaign could not attend.

There will however, be a full update of the current situation, in the very near future that will include the huge  implications of a new site licence (issued on 23rd October 2015) and the launch of the EVAG website.

We urge you all to continue to lobby Councillors and MP's  there is still a long way to go and we refuse to give up on  fighting for our beautiful Valley!!
 
More updates will follow soon.
 
EVAG
 

Elham Valley Residents

Elham Valley Action Group UPDATE & FORTHCOMING EVENT ON THE 27 NOVEMBER 2015

2015-11-04 22:52:02

EVAG UPDATE & FORTHCOMING EVENT ON THE 27 NOVEMBER 2015

 

Development Control Committee Meeting Shepway District Council 1 October 2015

At the recent development control committee meeting Shepway councillors failed to revoke the lawful development certificate. Further legal opinion has been submitted to them by Barham Downs Action Group and we are awaiting an imminent decision from the committee as to whether they will re-open the debate.

 

Site Licence- Licensing Committee Meeting Shepway District Council 17 September 2015

The licensing committee issued a new and equally permissive site licence on 4 June which slightly restructured the building work and other developments which were given planning permission by the original licence.  Under the 28 day rule the site owners raised objections to the imposition of allegedly limiting conditions in the licence and a tribunal date was set for the 23 November at which Shepway and the owners points of view would be heard by a Judge.  

Fearing that they may lose the Tribunal, Shepway District Council entered into 'out of Court' negotiations with The Smiths' solicitors and have agreed a new licence acceptable to the Smiths' team.

The terms of the new license will be published imminently.

 

Best case scenario/Worse case scenario

Best case scenario - the development committee decide to look at new legal opinion and feel confident to revoke the lawful development certificate.  This would then mean that Mr Smith would no longer be able to develop the land with out due planning process.

Worst case scenario - the certificate stands with even more permissive licence conditions.

How would Shepway District Council be able to distinguish between genuine holiday makers and people permanently residing on site?

The possibility is that within 12 months we could have a residential site established by the back door!

 

YOU CAN INFLUENCE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.....

Lobby all the development control committee now!!  They can insit on the process being reopened!  Here is a link to the committee:

http://www.shepway.gov.uk/moderngov/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=118

Write to your local MP

To the local papers expressing your views

Attend the upcoming launch night for the EVAG website and film 

When-Friday 27 November 2015

Time-6.30pm for 7pm start

Where-Barham Village Hall

Cost-£3 per person, max 8 per table, prizes for the best dressed table.

Bring your own Food and Drink (lots!)

Fun Quiz and games

Thorough update 

Fabulous raffle prizes

 

BOOK NOW TO SECURE A TABLE, EMAIL ANDREW JOHNSON : amjohnson@googlemail.com

(If you can contribute to this evening by volunteering some help or donating raffle prizes please email Andrew!)

This 2 storey 'toilet block' is the latest development onsite...more will follow if we don't stop this now. 


Elham Valley Residents

EVAG Update

2015-07-13 17:15:27
Elham Valley Action Group                          13 July 2015

 

 

Dear Action Group Supporter,

 

The Petition signed by a thousand of you living in the Elham Nailbourne Valley comes up for debate before Full Council in the Shepway Council Chamber (The Lubianka) this Wednesday night (15.7.15).

 

As we doubt that more than a handful of Councillors are aware of the outrageous state of affairs at the Water Meadow that Shepway District Council has allowed to develop and even encouraged, we are bringing the situation to the attention of the thirty Councillors who are expected to attend.

 

Given the true facts which we will be sending to each Councillor’s home address we believe that there will be some who will be sufficiently disturbed as to force a vote of no confidence in the Council’s handling of the situation.

 

The more of us that fill the gallery in the chamber, the greater the psychological pressure on Councillors to call the Council to account!

It is the elected members, the Councillors, who have the power to request the Secretary of State to have the newly issued ‘License’ called in for possible revocation.

 

From Castle Hill Avenue the Council Chamber Gallery is entered at the very rear of the building beyond the visitors’ car park and adjacent to the main large staff car park through a brown door.   If not open, then bang on it!!  

 

I urge each and every one of you to attend if you can and please do everything you can to be there by 6.45pm. 

 

David Plumstead

Campaign Coordinator - EVAG       

 

Elham Valley Residents

If you do one thing this weekend

2015-06-06 09:54:11
Dear Supporter
 
If you do one thing this weekend email or send a letter to Cllr David Monk, the Leader of Shepway District Council.
 
Yesterday Shepway issued a statement regarding the caravan site - our water meadow. This statement is attached. Whilst it is welcome that the council are starting to realise that they cannot ignore this issue, the threat from inappropriate development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty remains. So the campaign continues
 
Please use the following link Elham Valley Action Group where you will find a template that  you can use to write to the Leader of Shepway District Council.  Some people are writing their own letters and If you would prefer to send your own letter then please do so.  
 
The address is on the letter or if you prefer you an email your letter to david.monk@shepway.gov.uk or leader@shepway.gov.uk
 
Thank you for your support

 

 


Elham Valley Residents

Rally Success

2015-05-31 20:31:00

Dear Supporter

The rally on Sunday 31st May was a great success and despite the wind and rain it was well attended with around 400 supporters braving the elements. It'd be 500 if you included all the lovely dogs that were there!

The local MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins and the Shepway District Councillor for Elham Stuart Peall also attended and we are pleased to have their support. The eminent historian and Barham resident Dr. David Starkey sent greetings and pledged their support for the campaign

The campaign is gaining recognition now.  BBC South East News covered the event and you can see it here

BBC Save our Valley Rally 

The efforts we have all made so far are having a real impact and Shepway District Council are now taking notice. We need to ensure that we keep the pressure up and if you haven't done so already please write to the Leader of Shepway District Council Cllr David Monk david.monk@shepway.gov.uk telling him that you want to save the valley and our water meadow.

A big thank you to all who attended the rally and to all those who have made donations to the campaign.


Elham Valley Residents

Rally - this Sunday 31st May at 2.30pm

2015-05-28 14:23:48

Save our Water Meadow! Protect our Valley!

Rally - this Sunday 31st May at 2.30pm

Wingmore Farm, adjacent to the caravan park - look out for the signs and people in high-vis jackets.

Plenty of parking available - bring your wellies if it's raining!

Your support at this event will show Shepway Council that the public are passionate about protecting this water meadow and that you want them to take the necessary steps to prevent it's destruction.

Email Elham Valley Action Group for more information: evag2015@outlook.com

 


Elham Valley Residents

Temporary Stop Notice in Place!

2015-05-08 11:39:11

Some welcome news.  On 6th May 2015 Shepway District Council placed a temporary 28 day order stopping works on the caravan site. We believe that your support has been instrumental in bringing Shepway to this decision.  So thank you!

Whilst there is more to be done, there is now a real opportunity to work closely with Shepway to ensure that the correct permissions are in place before any further works are carried out.  It is our intention to address residents concerns around the intensification of the site.  The matter will be discussed at the next Elham Parish Council Meeting on 7.30 pm Monday 11th May 2015 in Elham Village Hall. Thank you to all those who have already confirmed their attendance.  Please do come along if you can.


Elham Valley Residents

Keep it up!

2015-04-30 16:44:47

 

A big thank you to everyone. The petition has been running for less than 48 hours and we already have over 400 signatures on-line.  This campaign is making Shepway District Council sit up and take notice and we've got to keep up the pressure. Also many thanks to those of you who have left comments.  It is clear from these how much you all love the Valley and some very useful campaigning points have been made.  Below you'll see a selection.

Be in touch soon!

Looks like a permanent residential trailer park rather than a few caravans and tents dotted about. Gotta fight this one folks.

This development is completely inappropriate given the location of the site within an AONB and the fact it is in a flood plain. There isn't the infrastructure to support this and it is entirely out of keeping with the local area.  

How can this happen in an area of AONB?  

I have been watching the destruction of this site when driving past. It is hard to believe that the council could grant such a planning in such a beautiful valley. Will fracking be next?  

The whole of Elham valley from Bridge through to Lyminge is completely unspoilt with attractive villages spread along it. The valley and surrounding hills provide a haven of tranquillity and beauty. To allow a 45 pitch campsite to be open 11 months of the year is 'creating a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved friend'. It is totally out of place in this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

Shepway District Council have done their best to ruin Folkestone, don't let them ruin the Elham Valley as well. What a shame the Canterbury City Council boundary doesn't end slightly further south!  

I cannot stand by and watch a beautiful part of the county be destroyed. Shame!  

I cannot see any application for the change of use recently on Shepway Council's planning portal ? There is an of application from a few years back - that is withdrawn. Has planning permission for a travellers park actually been granted ?  

 It is an outrage that such a blot on the landscape should be permitted in the heart of the Elham Valley, making a mockery of its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  


Elham Valley Residents



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