24 December 2022
Planning permission granted for extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission has been granted for a rear single storey extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane. No representations were received. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2478).
Planning permission granted for extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a single storey rear extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane. No representations were received. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2404).
23 December 2022
Planning permission sought for extensions at 10 Hoads Wood Gardens
A planning application has been made for 10 Hoads Wood Gardens for a rear two-storey extension and rear single-storey side/rear extension. Existing garage doors replaced with windows. Porch enclosed under the existing roof canopy. Addition of window on first floor side elevation. The closing date for comments is 19 January 2023. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/3088).
19 December 2022
SLRA Defibrillator back in service
In 2019, the SLRA’s Public Access Defibrillator (PAD), also known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was installed in a purpose-designed illuminated cabinet on the back of the low outer front wall of the Hare and Hounds public house at Potters Corner.
Unfortunately, the cabinet in which it is housed developed a fault earlier this year, whereby it was impossible to open the electronic lock. Although we have attempted to rectify the fault, we have now decided to replace the cabinet with one fitted with a mechanical lock, which is likely to prove more reliable. It is available at all times, 24/7. A picture of the cabinet is on our About SLRA page.
The lock is to reduce the threat of theft and vandalism, but the cabinet can be opened with a four-digit code available to callers to 999 and from the pub.
We are grateful to the landlord of the Hare and Hounds for continuing to support this initiative and for providing the location and a power supply for the cabinet in which the PAD is housed.
We are also grateful to SLRA committee member Andy Peddle, Managing Director of ANP Security, for providing cabinet installation services.
Defibrillators, used in conjunction with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), can double the survival chances of a person suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Every year there are about 30,000 such cardiac arrests in the UK.
16 December 2022
Planning permission sought for double garage at 158 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the erection of a double garage at 158 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 10 January 2023. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/3024).
14 December 2022
Waste collection - further update
Ashford Borough Council have today issued a further statement as follows:
Waste Collections Update - Tuesday 13 December.
We have looked at how best to move forward with the waste collection service this week. Unfortunately, due to the continued presence of ice which poses a safety risk to our crews, we will not be returning to areas that could not be accessed on Monday (12 December).
For Monday’s missed collections and properties during the remainder of the week that are unable to be serviced, we will collect them week commencing 26 December.
Affected households will be allowed to present side waste on your next refuse collection date, which will fall on our revised Christmas collections dates - a day later than your normal collection day.
For collections due the rest of the week please present your bins as normal, as crews will be working hard to make the rounds in the hope of being able to collect.
If you bins aren’t collected on your collection day, when safe to do so please take your bin back in, and present again on your next refuse collection date (w/c 26 December).
If we have missed your bin due to road safety or access you will not be able to submit a missed bin report via our website, as we are aware the collection has not been completed.
Food waste will be collected alongside recycling next week.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and patience.
13 December 2022
Waste Collection Update
Ashford Borough Council issued the following statement yesterday. Given the forecast continuing very cold weather, it is possible disruption may continue till our collections on Thursday.
Unfortunately we have not been able to make numerous waste collections today (Monday 12 December), around 50%, due to the road conditions and concerns over the safety of our crew. Given the colder weather is due to stay for the rest of the week, we anticipate this will have a further impact on collections. We are assessing how best to catch up on those missed collections, and those expected throughout the week, and will provide an update as soon as possible. If we have missed your bin due to road safety or access you will not be able to submit a missed bin report via our website, as we are aware the collection has not been completed. For collections due the rest of the week please present your bins as normal, as crews will be working hard to make the rounds in the hope of being able to collect. Please keep an eye out for further updates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and many thanks for your understanding and patience.
9 December 2022
Planning permission sought for garden room at 358 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the construction of a garden room at 358 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2783).
2 December 2022
M20 noise
The SLRA has been campaigning for over 14 years for the M20 to be resurfaced with a low noise surface between junctions 8 and 9 in order to reduce the excessive noise associated with the existing concrete surface.
“road surface improvements to reduce the risk of skidding on a section of the M20 coastbound between junctions 8 and 9"
Whilst we welcome any noise reduction action it is not clear how extensive is the “stretch” of the coastbound carriageway being treated, nor whether the work involves resurfacing or simply “retexturing and grooving” the surface of the concrete as was done on short sections of the London bound carriageway in October 2014.
30 November 2022
Hosepipe ban ends
The hosepipe ban, introduced by South East Water on 12 August, ended today. South East Water issued the following statement:
The significant rain throughout November has really helped our rivers and reservoirs recover from the scorching summer. The ground is now wet enough for water to continue to fill our underground chalk aquifers, and the rain has meant enough surface water is able to run into our rivers and reservoirs.
Our customers continued efforts to save water since the ban was implemented in August has also helped significantly.
23 November 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 96 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for a two-storey side extension including roof terrace and single-storey rear extension following demolition of the existing garage. at 96 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2665).
17 November 2021
Christmas and New Year bin collections
SLRA members who normally have their refuse, recycling, food and garden recycling bins collected on a Thursday will have the following arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period:
Refuse (grey): Collection due on Thursday 29th December will take place on Friday 30th December
Recycling (green): Collection due on Thursday 5th January will take place on Friday 6th January
Normal Refuse and Food collections will resume on Thursday 12th January.
Garden Recycling (brown): No collection on Thursday 29th December. The next collection after this will be on Thursday 12th January.
The full schedule is shown here.
11 November 2022
Kingsland Lane closed next week
Kingsland Lane will be closed for carriage repairs by KCC from Monday 14 November, for up to 5 days. The official notice may be viewed here.
28 October 2022
Sandyhurst Lane closed
The current closure of Sandyhurst Lane outside number 89 could last for up to a further 6 days. The closure is to enable South East Water to carry out repairs to a burst water main. The official closure notice may be viewed here.
20 October 2022
KCC bus cuts decision confirmed
Further to our news item of 15 September, Kent County Council met today and debated the “Scrutiny referral of Decision 22/00052 - KCC Supported Bus Funding Review”. The Council voted to “agree the decision be implemented”. The bus route 123, which serves Potters Corner, will therefore be amongst those which will cease this Autumn. If you wish to view the debate, it is available here (the item starts at 2 hours 52 mins).
18 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 136a Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the erection of a new garage and principal entrance to frontage, new pitched roof dormer replacing existing rooflight, new screen wall, new dormers to rear roof replacing existing rooflights, replace roof tiles at 136a Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2649).
18 October 2022
Tree preservation order application for Sandyhurst House, Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made in respect of a tree preservation order at Sandyhurst House, Sandyhurst Lane, a T1 willow, mature weeping willow located in the rear garden overhanging a tennis court and garden. This tree has extremely low live crown ratio of around 5% live. It is proposed to reduce this down to create a pollard at around 5 metres and if it doesn't live it would be left as a trunk for nature to take its course and home wildlife. Full details may be viewed here (application number OTH/2022/2630).
7 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the construction of a single storey rear extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 27 October 2022. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2404).
7 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for a rear single storey extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 30 October 2022. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2478).
26 September 2022
Road closures for the Ashford 10 & 5 mile run on 30 October
Please see below for details received from KCC of road closures in Sandyhurst Lane and Lenacre Street on 30 October for the annual 10 & 5 mile run. For more detail about the event, please see the organiser’s website here.
To allow the Ashford & District 10 & 5 Mile Run to take place on and near the highway, Kent County Council has made an Order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Sandyhurst Lane and Lenacre Street near Ashford. Closures are planned for Sunday 30 October 2022 starting from 09:50 hours onwards, with roads re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so, and by no later 12:30 hours. Roads will be closed as shown below, to the extent indicated at any time by signs and barriers on site.
SANDYHURST LANE – closed between A251 Faversham Road and Sandyacres Sports Club.
LENACRE STREET – closed for its entire length.
The alternative route for through traffic is via A251 Faversham Road, Trinity Road, Junction 9 Interchange, Fougeres Way, Drovers Roundabout and A20 Maidstone Road.
Nothing in the Order will apply to:
- Any Vehicle being used for Ambulance purposes, Coastguard/RNLI, Fire Brigade or Police services.
- Anything done by a Statutory Undertaker vehicle in connection with an emergency repair.
- Anything done with the permission or at the direction of Event Organisers or a Police Constable in Uniform
15 September 2022
Scrutiny of bus cuts decision postponed
Kent County Council were due to meet today and the agenda included "Scrutiny referral of Decision 22/00052 - KCC Supported Bus Funding Review
The relevant agenda item
13 September 2022
Next week's bin collection moved
Please note that the bin collections in our area due to be made on Thursday 22 September will now be made on Friday 23 September.
This is a consequence of the declaration of Monday 19 September as a Bank Holiday, following which Ashford Borough Council has suspended bin collections on that day and shifted all collections one day later. For full details see their website here.
18 August 2022
Bus cuts delayed
At a meeting of Kent County Council’s Scrutiny Committee this morning, a motion was passed to postpone the planned subsidy cuts to 38 bus services this Autumn. These include the route 123 service which serves Potters Corner.
The press report of the meeting may be viewed here.
9 August 2022
Eastwell trees to be restored
Two years ago, trees on Eastwell Park Estate adjacent to the A251 (on the left soon after turning left out of Sandyhurst Lane on to Faversham Road) were felled, contrary to the licence for their thinning, which had been issued by the Forestry Commission. Since then, the SLRA has been pressing the Forestry Commission and other bodies for action to be taken in respect of the breach of licence. Now, we are pleased to report, the Forestry Commission has determined that the felling was an offence under the Forestry Act 1967 and has issued a Restocking Notice for restoration of the trees. The first two paragraphs of the Restocking Notice are as follows:
1. Before 30th June 2023 the felled area outlined in blue on the map attached to this notice must be restocked with 30% oak, 20% hazel, 10% hornbeam, 10% field maple, 10% wild cherry, 10% wild service tree and 10% mixed native broadleaf species to achieve no less than 1,100 equally spaced stems per hectare. This equates to 2,101 trees at this site.
2. We will accept natural regeneration as a means of securing the restocking required under (1) but if natural regeneration fails to provide adequate restocking, planting will be necessary to secure the restocking required under (1), by 30th June 2023.
The full Restocking Notice may be viewed here, the map here and the covering letter from the Forestry Commission here.
5 August 2022
Sandyhurst Lane closed
Sandyhurst Lane has been closed for up to 6 days from 4 August, The closure is outside number 380 and is
for repairs to a burst water main by South East Water. The official closure notice may be viewed here.
3 August 2022
Hosepipe ban from 12 August announced
South East Water has today posted the following announcement on its website:
This has been a time of extreme weather conditions across the UK. Official figures show this is the driest July on record since 1935 and the period between November 2021 and July 2022 has been the driest eight-month stint since 1976. During July in the South East, we have only seen 8 percent of average rainfall for the month, and the long term forecast for August and September is for similar weather.
The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave. We have been producing an additional 120 million litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.
We have been left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers from 00:01 on Friday 12th August within our Kent and Sussex supply area until further notice.
We are taking this step to ensure we have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment. This will enable us to also reduce the amount of water we need to take from already stressed local water sources.
This is the first hosepipe ban since 2012, when a ban was imposed from 5 April to 9 July.
28 July 2022
Bus service cuts challenged
The decision by Kent County Council to cease funding 38 bus services, including a number of school services, is being challenged by opposition councillors. The proposed cuts include route 123, which serves Sandyhurst Lane from the stops at Potters Corner.
According to a report in KentOnline today:
“The decision to axe dozens of bus services across Kent has been called in by opposition councillors as people share their anger over the move. Kent County Council has agreed to cut 38 subsidised trips across the county in October as the local authority seeks to save £2.2million to combat significant budget pressures. Bus companies and residents have strongly objected to the cuts and now the local Green party has called in the decision and demanding it is considered by KCC's scrutiny committee next month. The formal challenge comes three weeks after transport chiefs defended the large scale cuts, which they say were needed to achieve a balanced budget and secure the local authority's financial security.”
30 June 2022
Kingsland Lane closure
We have received the following information from KCC:
Temporary Road Closure - Kingsland Lane, Westwell - 19th August 2022 for 1 Day, between 08:00
hours and 18:00 hours.
It will be necessary to close part of Kingsland Lane, Westwell from 19th August 2022 with estimated completion by 19th August 2022.
Kingsland Lane, Westwell will be closed approximately 27 metres north of Kingsland Grove, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Kingsland Lane, Westwell Lane, The Street, Eastwell Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while pole replacement works are undertaken by Openreach.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181.
For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=128925469
For information regarding this closure please contact Openreach, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
8 July 2022
Transport for the South East - TfSE
We have been asked to circulate the following information about Transport for the South East, which includes the opportunity to respond to their consultation on their draft Strategic Investment Plan. The consultation is open until 12 September 2022 and there are virtual briefing sessions this coming Monday
and Tuesday:
Transport for the South East (TfSE) is the Sub-national Transport Body for the South East of England, one
of seven sub-national transport bodies in the UK.
TfSE is made up of 16 local authorities, five local enterprise partnerships and representatives of district
& borough authorities, protected landscapes and national delivery agencies.
Our purpose is
- to determine what investment is needed in the South East,
- to transform the transport system and drive economic growth.
TfSE has recently launched their draft Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for South East England.
The plan provides a framework for Investment in strategic transport infrastructure services and
regulatory interventions in the coming decades. Have Your Say: the consultation closes on
12th September.
There are two virtual briefing sessions arranged : Monday 11th July 10-11.30 am and Tuesday 12th July 6-7.30 pm.
For further information on TfSE please check their website https://transportforthesoutheast.org.uk
5 July 2022
Planning permission granted for extension at St Helens, Westwell Lane
Planning permission was granted on 4 July 2022 for the replacement of the existing conservatory with
single storey rear extension and alterations and conversion of existing garage to provide ancillary access
to the main house for a home office at St Helens, Westwell Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for application number 22/00558/AS).
Planning permission granted for extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission has been granted for a rear single storey extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane. No representations were received. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2478).
Planning permission granted for extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a single storey rear extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane. No representations were received. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2404).
23 December 2022
Planning permission sought for extensions at 10 Hoads Wood Gardens
A planning application has been made for 10 Hoads Wood Gardens for a rear two-storey extension and rear single-storey side/rear extension. Existing garage doors replaced with windows. Porch enclosed under the existing roof canopy. Addition of window on first floor side elevation. The closing date for comments is 19 January 2023. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/3088).
19 December 2022
SLRA Defibrillator back in service
In 2019, the SLRA’s Public Access Defibrillator (PAD), also known as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was installed in a purpose-designed illuminated cabinet on the back of the low outer front wall of the Hare and Hounds public house at Potters Corner.
Unfortunately, the cabinet in which it is housed developed a fault earlier this year, whereby it was impossible to open the electronic lock. Although we have attempted to rectify the fault, we have now decided to replace the cabinet with one fitted with a mechanical lock, which is likely to prove more reliable. It is available at all times, 24/7. A picture of the cabinet is on our About SLRA page.
The lock is to reduce the threat of theft and vandalism, but the cabinet can be opened with a four-digit code available to callers to 999 and from the pub.
We are grateful to the landlord of the Hare and Hounds for continuing to support this initiative and for providing the location and a power supply for the cabinet in which the PAD is housed.
We are also grateful to SLRA committee member Andy Peddle, Managing Director of ANP Security, for providing cabinet installation services.
Defibrillators, used in conjunction with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), can double the survival chances of a person suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Every year there are about 30,000 such cardiac arrests in the UK.
16 December 2022
Planning permission sought for double garage at 158 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the erection of a double garage at 158 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 10 January 2023. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/3024).
14 December 2022
Waste collection - further update
Ashford Borough Council have today issued a further statement as follows:
Waste Collections Update - Tuesday 13 December.
We have looked at how best to move forward with the waste collection service this week. Unfortunately, due to the continued presence of ice which poses a safety risk to our crews, we will not be returning to areas that could not be accessed on Monday (12 December).
For Monday’s missed collections and properties during the remainder of the week that are unable to be serviced, we will collect them week commencing 26 December.
Affected households will be allowed to present side waste on your next refuse collection date, which will fall on our revised Christmas collections dates - a day later than your normal collection day.
For collections due the rest of the week please present your bins as normal, as crews will be working hard to make the rounds in the hope of being able to collect.
If you bins aren’t collected on your collection day, when safe to do so please take your bin back in, and present again on your next refuse collection date (w/c 26 December).
If we have missed your bin due to road safety or access you will not be able to submit a missed bin report via our website, as we are aware the collection has not been completed.
Food waste will be collected alongside recycling next week.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and patience.
13 December 2022
Waste Collection Update
Ashford Borough Council issued the following statement yesterday. Given the forecast continuing very cold weather, it is possible disruption may continue till our collections on Thursday.
Unfortunately we have not been able to make numerous waste collections today (Monday 12 December), around 50%, due to the road conditions and concerns over the safety of our crew. Given the colder weather is due to stay for the rest of the week, we anticipate this will have a further impact on collections. We are assessing how best to catch up on those missed collections, and those expected throughout the week, and will provide an update as soon as possible. If we have missed your bin due to road safety or access you will not be able to submit a missed bin report via our website, as we are aware the collection has not been completed. For collections due the rest of the week please present your bins as normal, as crews will be working hard to make the rounds in the hope of being able to collect. Please keep an eye out for further updates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and many thanks for your understanding and patience.
9 December 2022
Planning permission sought for garden room at 358 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the construction of a garden room at 358 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2783).
2 December 2022
M20 noise
The SLRA has been campaigning for over 14 years for the M20 to be resurfaced with a low noise surface between junctions 8 and 9 in order to reduce the excessive noise associated with the existing concrete surface.
Highways England have just announced that between 28 November and 20 December they are carrying out
“road surface improvements to reduce the risk of skidding on a section of the M20 coastbound between junctions 8 and 9"and claim this work will
"also reduce the noise from vehicles driving on this stretch.”Whilst we welcome any noise reduction action it is not clear how extensive is the “stretch” of the coastbound carriageway being treated, nor whether the work involves resurfacing or simply “retexturing and grooving” the surface of the concrete as was done on short sections of the London bound carriageway in October 2014.
Following that work we asked our members if they had noticed any noise reduction. Of the 27 members who responded, 57% thought there had been no change in noise levels, 39% thought that noise levels had increased and only 4% thought there had been a decrease.
We are therefore cautious about welcoming the current work if, as seems likely, it falls short of the complete resurfacing with “low noise” tarmac as was previously promised by Highways England to our MP, Damian Green.
The 50mph speed limit on the London bound carriageway helps reduce the traffic noise but is not a long term solution.
Our campaigning on your behalf will therefore continue.
30 November 2022
Hosepipe ban ends
The hosepipe ban, introduced by South East Water on 12 August, ended today. South East Water issued the following statement:
The significant rain throughout November has really helped our rivers and reservoirs recover from the scorching summer. The ground is now wet enough for water to continue to fill our underground chalk aquifers, and the rain has meant enough surface water is able to run into our rivers and reservoirs.
Our customers continued efforts to save water since the ban was implemented in August has also helped significantly.
23 November 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 96 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for a two-storey side extension including roof terrace and single-storey rear extension following demolition of the existing garage. at 96 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2665).
17 November 2021
Christmas and New Year bin collections
SLRA members who normally have their refuse, recycling, food and garden recycling bins collected on a Thursday will have the following arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period:
Refuse (grey): Collection due on Thursday 29th December will take place on Friday 30th December
Recycling (green): Collection due on Thursday 5th January will take place on Friday 6th January
Normal Refuse and Food collections will resume on Thursday 12th January.
Garden Recycling (brown): No collection on Thursday 29th December. The next collection after this will be on Thursday 12th January.
The full schedule is shown here.
11 November 2022
Kingsland Lane closed next week
Kingsland Lane will be closed for carriage repairs by KCC from Monday 14 November, for up to 5 days. The official notice may be viewed here.
28 October 2022
Sandyhurst Lane closed
The current closure of Sandyhurst Lane outside number 89 could last for up to a further 6 days. The closure is to enable South East Water to carry out repairs to a burst water main. The official closure notice may be viewed here.
20 October 2022
KCC bus cuts decision confirmed
Further to our news item of 15 September, Kent County Council met today and debated the “Scrutiny referral of Decision 22/00052 - KCC Supported Bus Funding Review”. The Council voted to “agree the decision be implemented”. The bus route 123, which serves Potters Corner, will therefore be amongst those which will cease this Autumn. If you wish to view the debate, it is available here (the item starts at 2 hours 52 mins).
18 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 136a Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the erection of a new garage and principal entrance to frontage, new pitched roof dormer replacing existing rooflight, new screen wall, new dormers to rear roof replacing existing rooflights, replace roof tiles at 136a Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2649).
18 October 2022
Tree preservation order application for Sandyhurst House, Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made in respect of a tree preservation order at Sandyhurst House, Sandyhurst Lane, a T1 willow, mature weeping willow located in the rear garden overhanging a tennis court and garden. This tree has extremely low live crown ratio of around 5% live. It is proposed to reduce this down to create a pollard at around 5 metres and if it doesn't live it would be left as a trunk for nature to take its course and home wildlife. Full details may be viewed here (application number OTH/2022/2630).
7 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for the construction of a single storey rear extension at York House, 79 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 27 October 2022. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2404).
7 October 2022
Planning permission sought for extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane
A planning application has been made for a rear single storey extension at 34 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 30 October 2022. Full details may be viewed here (application number PA/2022/2478).
26 September 2022
Road closures for the Ashford 10 & 5 mile run on 30 October
Please see below for details received from KCC of road closures in Sandyhurst Lane and Lenacre Street on 30 October for the annual 10 & 5 mile run. For more detail about the event, please see the organiser’s website here.
To allow the Ashford & District 10 & 5 Mile Run to take place on and near the highway, Kent County Council has made an Order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Sandyhurst Lane and Lenacre Street near Ashford. Closures are planned for Sunday 30 October 2022 starting from 09:50 hours onwards, with roads re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so, and by no later 12:30 hours. Roads will be closed as shown below, to the extent indicated at any time by signs and barriers on site.
SANDYHURST LANE – closed between A251 Faversham Road and Sandyacres Sports Club.
LENACRE STREET – closed for its entire length.
The alternative route for through traffic is via A251 Faversham Road, Trinity Road, Junction 9 Interchange, Fougeres Way, Drovers Roundabout and A20 Maidstone Road.
Nothing in the Order will apply to:
- Any Vehicle being used for Ambulance purposes, Coastguard/RNLI, Fire Brigade or Police services.
- Anything done by a Statutory Undertaker vehicle in connection with an emergency repair.
- Anything done with the permission or at the direction of Event Organisers or a Police Constable in Uniform
15 September 2022
Scrutiny of bus cuts decision postponed
Kent County Council were due to meet today and the agenda included "Scrutiny referral of Decision 22/00052 - KCC Supported Bus Funding Review
". The proposed bus cuts include Route 123 which serves the Potters Corner end of Sandyhurst Lane.
However, the meeting has been postponed to make way for Tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.The relevant agenda item
paper on the bus cut decision review may be
viewed here.13 September 2022
Next week's bin collection moved
Please note that the bin collections in our area due to be made on Thursday 22 September will now be made on Friday 23 September.
This is a consequence of the declaration of Monday 19 September as a Bank Holiday, following which Ashford Borough Council has suspended bin collections on that day and shifted all collections one day later. For full details see their website here.
18 August 2022
Bus cuts delayed
At a meeting of Kent County Council’s Scrutiny Committee this morning, a motion was passed to postpone the planned subsidy cuts to 38 bus services this Autumn. These include the route 123 service which serves Potters Corner.
The press report of the meeting may be viewed here.
9 August 2022
Eastwell trees to be restored
Two years ago, trees on Eastwell Park Estate adjacent to the A251 (on the left soon after turning left out of Sandyhurst Lane on to Faversham Road) were felled, contrary to the licence for their thinning, which had been issued by the Forestry Commission. Since then, the SLRA has been pressing the Forestry Commission and other bodies for action to be taken in respect of the breach of licence. Now, we are pleased to report, the Forestry Commission has determined that the felling was an offence under the Forestry Act 1967 and has issued a Restocking Notice for restoration of the trees. The first two paragraphs of the Restocking Notice are as follows:
1. Before 30th June 2023 the felled area outlined in blue on the map attached to this notice must be restocked with 30% oak, 20% hazel, 10% hornbeam, 10% field maple, 10% wild cherry, 10% wild service tree and 10% mixed native broadleaf species to achieve no less than 1,100 equally spaced stems per hectare. This equates to 2,101 trees at this site.
2. We will accept natural regeneration as a means of securing the restocking required under (1) but if natural regeneration fails to provide adequate restocking, planting will be necessary to secure the restocking required under (1), by 30th June 2023.
The full Restocking Notice may be viewed here, the map here and the covering letter from the Forestry Commission here.
5 August 2022
Sandyhurst Lane closed
Sandyhurst Lane has been closed for up to 6 days from 4 August, The closure is outside number 380 and is
for repairs to a burst water main by South East Water. The official closure notice may be viewed here.
3 August 2022
Hosepipe ban from 12 August announced
South East Water has today posted the following announcement on its website:
This has been a time of extreme weather conditions across the UK. Official figures show this is the driest July on record since 1935 and the period between November 2021 and July 2022 has been the driest eight-month stint since 1976. During July in the South East, we have only seen 8 percent of average rainfall for the month, and the long term forecast for August and September is for similar weather.
The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave. We have been producing an additional 120 million litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.
We have been left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers from 00:01 on Friday 12th August within our Kent and Sussex supply area until further notice.
We are taking this step to ensure we have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment. This will enable us to also reduce the amount of water we need to take from already stressed local water sources.
This is the first hosepipe ban since 2012, when a ban was imposed from 5 April to 9 July.
28 July 2022
Bus service cuts challenged
The decision by Kent County Council to cease funding 38 bus services, including a number of school services, is being challenged by opposition councillors. The proposed cuts include route 123, which serves Sandyhurst Lane from the stops at Potters Corner.
According to a report in KentOnline today:
“The decision to axe dozens of bus services across Kent has been called in by opposition councillors as people share their anger over the move. Kent County Council has agreed to cut 38 subsidised trips across the county in October as the local authority seeks to save £2.2million to combat significant budget pressures. Bus companies and residents have strongly objected to the cuts and now the local Green party has called in the decision and demanding it is considered by KCC's scrutiny committee next month. The formal challenge comes three weeks after transport chiefs defended the large scale cuts, which they say were needed to achieve a balanced budget and secure the local authority's financial security.”
30 June 2022
Kingsland Lane closure
We have received the following information from KCC:
Temporary Road Closure - Kingsland Lane, Westwell - 19th August 2022 for 1 Day, between 08:00
hours and 18:00 hours.
It will be necessary to close part of Kingsland Lane, Westwell from 19th August 2022 with estimated completion by 19th August 2022.
Kingsland Lane, Westwell will be closed approximately 27 metres north of Kingsland Grove, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route is Kingsland Lane, Westwell Lane, The Street, Eastwell Lane and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while pole replacement works are undertaken by Openreach.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181.
For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=128925469
For information regarding this closure please contact Openreach, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.
8 July 2022
Transport for the South East - TfSE
We have been asked to circulate the following information about Transport for the South East, which includes the opportunity to respond to their consultation on their draft Strategic Investment Plan. The consultation is open until 12 September 2022 and there are virtual briefing sessions this coming Monday
and Tuesday:
Transport for the South East (TfSE) is the Sub-national Transport Body for the South East of England, one
of seven sub-national transport bodies in the UK.
TfSE is made up of 16 local authorities, five local enterprise partnerships and representatives of district
& borough authorities, protected landscapes and national delivery agencies.
Our purpose is
- to determine what investment is needed in the South East,
- to transform the transport system and drive economic growth.
TfSE has recently launched their draft Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for South East England.
The plan provides a framework for Investment in strategic transport infrastructure services and
regulatory interventions in the coming decades. Have Your Say: the consultation closes on
12th September.
There are two virtual briefing sessions arranged : Monday 11th July 10-11.30 am and Tuesday 12th July 6-7.30 pm.
For further information on TfSE please check their website https://transportforthesoutheast.org.uk
5 July 2022
Planning permission granted for extension at St Helens, Westwell Lane
Planning permission was granted on 4 July 2022 for the replacement of the existing conservatory with
single storey rear extension and alterations and conversion of existing garage to provide ancillary access
to the main house for a home office at St Helens, Westwell Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for application number 22/00558/AS).
Sandyhurst Lane
Residents Association
Residents Association
Protecting the rural character of Sandyhurst Lane and the adjoining area
News Archive for Jul-Dec 2022