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 15:52:29EVS/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.
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 09:27:39ELHAM VALLEY SOCIETY MEDIA RELEASE 8 FEBRUARY 2016
Elham Valley Residents
EVAG UPDATE 18 NOVEMBER 2015
2015-11-18 11:44:25The 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!!
Elham Valley Residents
Elham Valley Action Group UPDATE & FORTHCOMING EVENT ON THE 27 NOVEMBER 2015
2015-11-04 22:52:02EVAG 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 17:15:27Elham Valley Residents
If you do one thing this weekend
2015-06-06 09:54:11
Elham Valley Residents
Rally Success
2015-05-31 20:31:00Dear 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
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 14:23:48Save 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 11:39:11Some 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