WATTS MEADOW: Future secured by community

 

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.

Some success! A lot done, plenty more to do!

The notice above is a planning application for a high wall and gate at the entrance to Watt's meadow. It reads,

'Medway Council has received a planning application for construction of wall and vehicular access gates to front of former Priestfields Nursery.'

At WI on Wednesday 1st December, I drew this alarming new development to the attention of residents and yesterday they sent emails of protest. This resulted in an immediate response from planning officer Simon Fowler saying, 

'I hope I can provide some clarification to the situation. The proposed development does not include gates, only provide a boundary wall to the entrance to the new residential development. I have attached the relevant drawing that shows the proposal in more detail.
For your information, an incorrect site notice has been erected opposite the site, but unfortunately the poor weather has meant that I have been unable to affix a revised correct site notice. Hopefully if the snow clears over the weekend I'll be able to get a new one up at the start of next week.'

It seems amazing to us that someone should propose a gate by mistake! Nonetheless, we are delighted that we have drawn attention to this and have a clear assurance from Simon Fowler that it will be removed. 

Please continue to register your opposal to the high wall and express relief that the proposed gate was an error. The plans for the wall look like a folly: a grandiose marketing tool for prestigious houses rather than an entrance to an area of natural beauty. We need to work together as a community and protect our green spaces! Pass on this information to friends and neighbours so that our collective voice is heard on this issue.

Thanks to everyone who has been involved so far. This demonstrates that action on a local level really can have positive consequences.

Please copy email correspondence to Derek Munton or Sarah Hehir so we have a record of objections to the plans for the wall: closing date is 10th December! If you want a copy of the plans please email Sarah Hehir and I will send an attachment.

Officer dealing with case :   Simon Fowler

Medway council

Gun Wharf

Dock Road

Chatham

ME4 4TR

Phone 01634 33 10 18

Email simon.fowler@medway.gov.uk

Application number MC/10/3871

For more:   Derek Munton                                               Sarah Hehir
Ring             409486                                                            831452
Email          derekmunton@aol.com                               hehirsarah@yahoo.co.uk


Sarah Hehir: protecting our green spaces. Deadline December 10th

The information below, 'Watt's Up?' is written by Derek Munton who has campaigned against the restrictions to access for residents of Rochester. He explains the history of Watts Meadow with recent developments up to the planning notice being spotted.

Watt's Up?

Up until last summer it was possible to walk from Borstal, past The Canopus onto Priestfields Recreation Field down to Priestfields. At this point just across the road there was what had been the old Rochester council nursery through which the path went straight through to Watt’s Meadow and out by Ethelbert Road then down Maidstone Road to The Vines. You did not have to walk the whole path. Many people simply used Priestfield as access to Watt’s Meadow Open Space.

The  Open Spaces Society have been working for years to get Medway Council to put the footpath from Priestfieds to Ethelbert Rd on the “Definitive Map”.This route has been walked and enjoyed continuously by people from Rochester and Borstal since at least the 1940’s. It has been walked without permission, pay or hindrance.

Not any more.

Not since Medway council allowed the great wall of Bellway builders to be put up and closed access to Watt’s Meadow from Priestfields. The fence was put up without consultation or warning, so it’s not surprising people objected and 450 residents signed a petition of protest. An unsuitable footpath diversion was put in by Medway council consisting of a set of steep grey concrete steps and galvanised handrail at the end of Southfields. The fence was supposed to be temporary, as a safety device, but it is still there 6 months later. They said It would be sorted out when the path was confirmed as a Registered Public Footpath.

But the diversion has become the Definitive Footpath with an “understanding” that the road through the new housing would still be access to Watt’s Meadow and its footpath. Not quite the same thing.

That’s 450 unhappy residents

But Watt’s happening now …..?

Bellway the builders started to put in footings for a wall along the site entrance from Priestfields, until they were told to stop. Bellway need planning permission from Medway Council.

A Public Notice has been fixed to the lamppost across the road (not next to the development) to build a wall 2 meters (6ft 6ins)  fitted with access gates.

What’s happened to footpath access?

The development will have entry controlled by gates

It will be inappropriate and out of keeping with the area.

Medway council must not give this scheme planning it has to be opposed immediately because the closing date for objections is:

December 10 2010

Officer dealing with case :   Simon Fowler

Medway council

Gun Wharf

Dock Road

Chatham

ME4 4TR

Phone 01634 33 10 18

Email simon.fowler@medway.gov.uk

Application number MC/10/3871

For more:   Derek Munton                                               Sarah Hehir
Ring             409486                                                            831452
Email          derekmunton@aol.com                               hehirsarah@yahoo.co.uk