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| Sarah Hehir and Derek Munton at the Priestfields entrance to Watts Meadow |
Last summer, local people were shocked and horrified to find that without any prior warning the entrance to Watt’s Meadow footpath was dramatically closed off by Bellway Homes. This was done without public consultation or prior warning. We felt let down by the council who appeared to prioritise Bellway’s building work over the needs of local residents.
450 people signed a petition which showed concern for the future of the entire green area which should have made the council sit up and listen. In fact, they went on to divert the designated Watts Meadow public footpath away from Priestfields into Southfields, up the set of steep concrete steps.
Further protests came from local residents in December about a planning application for an ugly wall, two gate posts and an access gate, meaning a loss of access from Priestfields into Watts Meadow. Medway Council told us it was a mistake but our protests had a dramatic impact and resulted in a promise to re-open the footpath in the near future with full public access when the issue goes to planning committee.
But promises are not enough. If Medway council and Bellway Homes are going to guarantee to stand by their promise, then when councillors make the decision regarding Bellway’s new planning applications they must formally register the footpath and make it a condition of planning permission being granted. Send your demands to Simon Fowler at: simon.fowler@medway.gov.uk
Planning application goes to the Medway council Development Control Committee:
Wednesday 26 January 7.00pm
Medway Council offices:
Please keep the emails coming before this date to keep the pressure on local councillors.
Don’t let the council, elected to serve the people of Rochester, continue to let us down!
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