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| Sarah Hehir and Derek Munton at Priestfields Entrance to Watts Meadow |
After the shocking closure of the Priestfields entrance to Watts Meadow, came the sad realisation that the Tory controlled Medway council had not only failed to protect publicly owned land from development but that the footpath to Watts Meadow was under threat. Local residents showed their determination to hang onto this important right of way by opposing the closure and demanding that the footpath be registered as a definitive pathway.
Derek Munton has been active throughout this campaign, tirelessly holding meetings and going door to door with petitions and leaflets.
On a snowy December night, I discovered a site notice for ‘gated access’ and immediately called for local protests via this blog . I also brought this to the attention of the local Meadows Women’s Institute who objected with such force that Simon Fowler, council planning officer, quickly retracted the site notice claiming, ‘it had an incorrect description of development on it.’
Derek and I led the recent campaign, with the help of many local residents, that resulted in the issue being discussed at a planning meeting. The outcome is a great success; the path will be reopened as a definitive pathway under the new Planning Act.
Thank you to all residents who gave their time, views and experience.
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