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.

Will the council register our LOCAL FOOTPATH?

Watts Meadow update

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:

Gun Wharf, Chatham

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!

Watts Meadow - register a Designated Public Footpath

Good to see that our protests have had an affect and that we now we have a promise to allow access through the site for walkers from Borstal or Priestfields to Watt’s Meadow!

The following is a section of correspondence from Simon Fowler to Derek Munton, me and others who had emailed him. It was sent on January 6th 2011:

'To update you all on the status of the public right of way through the site to Watts Meadow, I have spoken to a representative of Bellway Homes, a Mr Dean Chapman, and the Councils public right of way officer who have both confirmed that the right of way will be reinstated once work has been completed on site and shall not be affected by the proposed wall.'

However, it is still not clear whether the route through the houses will be a Designated Public Footpath included on the Definitive Map. If planning permission is given then this should be a condition of consent.

It is important that the route is secured for walkers permanently: being given permission to cross the development is quite inadequate. We are aware that permission granted can be refused later. The issue of access is crucial because without ease of access, Watt’s Meadow could fall into disuse and itself be threatened by housing development. 

If permission is not granted, footpath RRX15 as shown on map dated 22/9/10 should be amended to continue from Watt’s Meadow to Priestfields.

We have asked Simon Fowler to keep us up to date with progress on registering this route as a designated public footpath.

Watts Meadow is an area of natural beauty that should be protected for residents now and for future generations. Thanks to everyone who has been involved in demanding answers and showing support.

Sarah Hehir: never give up!

Before we get snowed in for Christmas, I wanted to update you on some of the local issues.

Yesterday I spoke to Nick Turner again and was promised that he was visiting Borstal that day to get exact requirements for bus timetables outside St. Matthew's and Borstal Baptist Church. The snow was blamed for the delay. I will continue to be persistent! We deserve to have up to date timetables as part of the Arriva service.

Many of you have already signed the road safety petition. After Christmas, you will see copies in local shops and schools. I really appreciate your support on this issue. The more signatures we have, the more recognition we will get from the council. Some areas of Borstal and Rochester are desperately in need of crossings, speed control measures and visibility mirrors. Unless we make our voices heard, we are unlikely to have our demands met. 

The latest from Watt's Meadow and the planning department. Simon Fowler has promptly replied to emails regarding the gates, wall and access to the general public. It has now transpired that there is no guarantee of access being restored to pedestrians from Priestfields. More emails to ask for clarification on this point would be useful. Send to simon.fowler@medway.gov.uk

Mr. Fowler says,

'As you can see a pedestrian access is proposed into the site. At
the moment I cannot confirm whether the public access will be restored
but will let you know once I find out.'

We now have until 27th December to get in our objections or requests for clear information.

The snow is coming down again! Merry Christmas!