29 June 2017
Planning permission granted for extension of existing access to entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 28 June 2017 for the extension of the existing access to the entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (case number 17/00692/AS).
28 June 2017
SLRA final response to consultation on Playing Pitch Strategy
Further to the news item of 21 June 2017 (below), the SLRA response to the draft Ashford Borough Playing Pitch Strategy has been amended to take account of the balance of comments received from members. The final version has been submitted and may be viewed here. We have received the following response from the Facility Development Manager at Ashford Borough Council:
Many thanks for your submission. All relevant comments will be considered for inclusion in the final strategy and may be mentioned in the Cabinet Report which recommends adoption of the strategies.
The Association can be assured that in the event of any future improvements to the sporting infrastructure of the site the local environment will be considered and the Association will be consulted.
24 June 2017
Supportive reply from Damian Green MP
Following our recent letter to Damian Green MP, raising the issues of motorway noise and HGV parking (see news item 16 June 2017), the SLRA has received a supportive reply. Damian is offering to assist in our lobby to Highways England about resurfacing of the M20 and is also supporting measures being taken to manage HGV parking. Damian’s reply may be seen here.
21 June 2017
SLRA response to consultation on Playing Pitch Strategy
Ashford Borough Council is currently holding two public consultations, one on Indoor Sports Facility Strategy and one on Playing Pitch Strategy. The latter includes several references to Sandyacres and it was decided at the SLRA Committee meeting on 6 June 2017 to submit a response. The draft response may be viewed here and the Playing Pitch Strategy document may be viewed here.
Residents wishing to make their own submissions should go to the Ashford Borough Council consultation portal here. The closing date for these consultations is 30 June 2017.
16 June 2017
NHS Listening events
The NHS is holding five 'listening events' across east Kent over July as part of their ongoing conversation with local people about the future of the NHS and social care. The Ashford event takes place on 6 July from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Holiday Inn Central Hotel, Canterbury Rd, Kennington, Ashford TN24 8QQ.
The invitation to these events states:
The events will focus on the work in your CCG area to improve the range and quality of NHS services available in local communities and GP practices. There will be an opportunity to find out more about what is involved, provide your feedback and ask any questions you have about local plans.
We are very keen to hear the views of local people as we work together, making the most of our partnership across health and care to work more actively with our local communities to help people stay well. As well as providing some information on what we are doing to improve care at a local level, we want to understand people’s experiences of care to help shape the future of services.
We look forward to seeing anyone with an interest in health and care in their local area. To help us manage numbers and meet any specific needs you might have such as ‘large print documents’ or having a hearing loop please sign up to an event by contacting us at nelcsu.engagement@nhs.net.
16 June 2017
Motorway noise - expertise needed
Members will be aware that following his re-election on 8 June, Ashford’s MP, Damian Green, has been appointed to a very senior position in the Government.
In congratulating him, the SLRA has taken the opportunity to seek his assistance on two issues of great importance to the Association and its members – motorway noise and HGV parking. A copy of the letter is available here.
Following renewed discussion of the long-standing noise issue at our recent SLRA Committee meeting, we are also writing to Highways England with copies to local Councils etc, in order to keep the issue ‘alive’, particularly in view of the continuing increase in traffic volumes.
We need assistance on the technicalities of motorway noise, including either obtaining new data and/or analysing and interpreting existing data.
If any member has, or knows someone who has expertise in this area and would be willing to assist our cause, please let us know.
14 June 2017
Planning permission granted for extensions at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 13 June 2017 for the erection of a single storey rear extension and first floor side extension at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00627/AS).
13 June 2017
Success: Boundary Commission accepts SLRA proposal
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has today published its final recommendations for the warding arrangements for Ashford Borough Council. Members will recall that the draft recommendations published in February 2017 proposed that all those properties in the SLRA area currently in Boughton Aluph & Eastwell borough ward (except a few in part of Lenacre Street) should be moved into a new Goat Lees borough ward and that they should also become part of the Goat Lees parish ward in the parish of Boughton Aluph & Eastwell.
The SLRA and a number of individual members lobbied hard against this proposal, arguing that our community should not be divided by transferring a large part of it into a new 'urban' ward. Our submission may be seen here. We are delighted to report that the Boundary Commission has accepted these arguments and moved the boundary so that all properties in the SLRA area (except 5 properties in Faversham Road) will be included in the Downs West ward. Furthermore, the properties which were proposed to be moved from the Boughton Aluph parish ward to the Goat Lees parish ward will remain in the Boughton Aluph parish ward (which will not, as previously proposed, be re-named Boughton Lees ward).
The following are extracts from the final recommendations:
Downs
40 We received a number of submissions suggesting that Sandyhurst Lane be included wholly in the Downs West ward. We have therefore made a small modification to the ward boundary between Downs West and Goat Lees to include the entirety of Sandyhurst Lane, Lenacre Street and Eastwell Grange in Downs West. Downs West will achieve good electoral equality by 2022.
Goat Lees and Kennington
45 We received a number of submissions from residents and a local organisation regarding these two wards, particularly concerning the boundary along Sandyhurst Lane.
46 The submissions we received strongly opposed the inclusion of part of Sandyhurst Lane, Lenacre Street and Eastwell Grange in the Goat Lees ward and cited good local evidence that supported its inclusion in a ward of a more rural than urban nature. We have therefore amended the boundary between Goat Lees and Downs West to include the whole of Sandyhurst Lane within the Downs West ward.
The interactive map on the LGBCE website shows the exact boundary; although not mentioned in the text, Watsons Close is also included in Downs West borough ward and Boughton Aluph parish ward. Two extracts of that map, showing the final recommendations for the eastern and western halves of the SLRA area are available here.
Following a Parliamentary Order, the new arrangements will come into operation at the local elections on Thursday 2 May 2019.
Full details of the final recommendations may be found on the LGBCE website here.
9 June 2017
General election: Damian Green holds Ashford seat
In yesterday's general election, Damian Green (Con) held the Ashford seat for his sixth term.He secured a majority of 17,478, with 59% of the votes. The turnout was 68.69%.
9 June 2017
New version of Ashford Local Plan to 2030
Whilst it has not yet been officially published, the proposed revisions to the draft Local Plan 2030, and the Council’s responses to the comments made during last year’s public consultation, have appeared as one of the papers to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 15 June 2017.
A summary of issues pertinent to the SLRA may be viewed here and the full Cabinet paper, which contains much more information, may be viewed here.
9 June 2017
Borough Council By-Election results
The results of the Borough Council By-Election for Bockhanger ward, held yesterday, are on a special page - please click here.
7 June 2017
New timetable for Ashford Local Plan
At their most recent meeting (19 May 2017), Ashford Borough Council adopted a new version of the Local Development Scheme. The council is required to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out the scope and project timetable for the production of the Local Plan documents.
The draft Ashford Local Plan to 2030 was published in June 2016 and, following public consultation, a revised version was expected this month. However, this has now been delayed until "summer 2017". This is because, following the publication of the draft "new household projections were published, requiring a review of the background evidence supporting the plan. This review has resulted in an increase in the objectively assessed need for housing and therefore a need to find additional land to ensure the Local Plan meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework ".
So there will be a further public consultation following the publication of a revised draft Plan in summer 2017. Following this, the Council will formally submit the draft Local Plan 2030 and evidence base to the Planning Inspectorate for examination on behalf of the Secretary of State. An Independent Planning Inspector will assess the Plan, taking account of any comments received. This is scheduled for December 2017.
The final adoption of the Plan by the Council is now expected by summer 2018.
The new Local Development Scheme containing the timetable for the Local Plan may be viewed here.
4 June 2017
Boundary Commission extend date of publication for Ashford review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) were due to publish their final recommendations for Ashford Borough Council’s warding arrangements on 6 June 2017.
However, it appears that they have awarded themselves an extra week to work on them, as their website now gives the date as 13 June 2017.
25 May 2017
Order to extinguish footpath AU1 is issued
Further to our update of 8 May (below), the formal order to extinguish footpath AU1 has now been issued by KCC for formal consultation. The official public notice, statement of reasons, order and order plan showing the route to be extinguished may be viewed here.
Any representation about or objection to the Order may be sent in writing to William Barfoot (Tel: 03000 418674, email: william.barfoot@kent.gov.uk) before 30th June 2017, stating the grounds on which they are made.
17 May 2017
Planning permission granted for extensions at 62 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 16 May 2017 for single storey and two storey rear extensions, replacement porch, changes to external materials, addition of first floor window to side elevation, driveway alterations and addition of flue at 62 Sandyhurst Lane. There were no objections. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00424/AS).
9 May 2017
Planning permission sought for extension of existing access to entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made for planning permission for the extension of the existing access to the entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 1 June 2017. Full details may be viewed here (case number 17/00692/AS).
8 May 2017
Further update on footpath AU1
Further to our news item of 21 February, this is a further update on progress towards extinguishing footpath AU1, following the ‘informal’ consultation which ended on 27 March and to which the SLRA responded, supporting the proposed extinguishment:
An order has now been made to extinguish footpath AU1; this is currently with the KCC legal team awaiting signing and sealing.
Following this, the order will then be put out to another consultation of 28 days; this is the formal consultation. Existing consultees will receive a copy of the order in this process. If no formal objections are made, or those that are made are withdrawn following this 28 days, then the order can be confirmed, and the path extinguished. If objections are made, then the process becomes more complex and therefore longer. There is another legal challenge period after this of 6 weeks, in which any legal challenges can be made to the High Court (this is extremely rare).
So the application is proceeding, and consultees should receive within the next few weeks a copy of the order and formal consultation.
The footpath will still remain legally present and on the Definitive Map, until the order is confirmed, and we will be informed when this takes place.
5 May 2017
KCC Election results
Charlie Simkins (Con) has retained the seat for Ashford Rural West division. For full details, see our KCC election results page.
5 May 2017
Planning permission granted for garage conversion at
Cornerways, Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 4 May 2017 for conversion of the garage and alterations to roof and extension to driveway and crossover at Cornerways, Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00443/AS).
3 May 2017
Bockhanger By-Election to be held on 8 June
The by-election for the Bockhanger ward of Ashford Borough Council (which follows the resignation of Luke Powell as Councillor), will be held at the same time as the General Election, on Thursday 8 June 2017, provided it is contested, ie more than one nomination is received. Nominations may be made up to 4 pm on 11 May. The official notice of election may be viewed here.
29 April 2017
Bockhanger By-Election
Those members who live in Ashford Borough Council's Bockhanger ward (even numbered side of Sandyhurst Lane up to 196 and associated side roads) will soon have another election. This will be a by-election for a new borough councillor to represent the ward. This election is in addition to those for KCC councillors on 4 May and the General Election on 8 June. Ashford Borough Council will announce the details of this by-election in due course.
From 2 May 2019, boundary changes will mean that no SLRA members will live in Bockhanger ward.
27 April 2017
Planning permission sought for extensions at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made for planning permission for the erection of a single storey rear extension and first floor side extension at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 20 May 2017. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00627/AS).
21 April 2017
Planning permission granted for garage and home office
at Elvey Cottage, Kingsland Lane
Planning permission was granted on 20 April 2017 for the erection of a double garage incorporating a home office at Elvey Cottage, Kingsland Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00319/AS).
20 April 2017
Protected birch tree to be replaced
Permission has been granted to fell and replace one of the protected birch trees south of 304 – 316 Sandyhurst Lane as it is becoming diseased. The applicant is the resident at 65 Aylesbury Road, which lies to the rear of 306/308 Sandyhurst Lane.
Full details may be viewed here (search for tree application 17/00058/TP).
15 April 2017
Imminent changes in County Division Boundaries
SLRA area to be united in a single rural County Division
This news item relates to the boundaries between the County Divisions in Kent which are relevant to the forthcoming elections for Kent County Councillors. These boundaries are not to be confused with those between Ashford Borough wards (relevant to Ashford Borough Councillors) and between local parishes, which have been the subject of recent news items.
In 2015, the Boundary Commission carried out a review of the electoral arrangements for the County of Kent, to be implemented in 2017. The SLRA, which had then recently succeeded in getting agreement for the boundary of Westwell parish to be moved in 2019 from the centre of Sandyhurst Lane southwards to include all the SLRA area previously 'unparished', lobbied the Boundary Commission to do likewise with the County Division boundary.
This means that we were asking for the current boundary between Ashford Rural West Division and the (urban) Ashford Central Division to be moved southwards so that the whole of the SLRA area would be united in a single County Division (Ashford Rural West) represented by a single County Councillor.
When the Boundary Commission's final recommendations were published in January 2016, we found that there were no recommendations for changes in our area and we understood that we would have to wait until 2021 for the change we had requested (ie after the parish boundary change had been made).
However, in the run up to the forthcoming County Council elections on 4 May 2017, it has emerged that the Boundary Commission has, in fact, made the change to the County Division boundary that we requested, despite it not being in their final recommendations.
So, from 4 May 2017, the entire SLRA area will fall within Ashford Rural West County Division and we shall all be voting for the same choice of candidates for our County Councillor.
Full details of the electoral arrangements for 4 May are on the KCC website here. A map showing the new boundary is here and the full list of candidates for Ashford Rural West division is here.
Footnote: the properties in the SLRA area which will move from Ashford Central Division to Ashford Rural West Division on 4 May 2017 are as follows: Tollgate Cottage & 4 to 196 Sandyhurst Lane (even numbers), Potters Close, Hoads Wood Gardens and Maidstone Road (south of Potters Corner).
12 April 2017
Watery Lane to be closed on Tuesday 18 April
Watery Lane, Westwell will be closed for repairs from 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday 18 April 2017. Full details may be viewed here.able at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/176763.
Planning permission granted for extension of existing access to entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 28 June 2017 for the extension of the existing access to the entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (case number 17/00692/AS).
28 June 2017
SLRA final response to consultation on Playing Pitch Strategy
Further to the news item of 21 June 2017 (below), the SLRA response to the draft Ashford Borough Playing Pitch Strategy has been amended to take account of the balance of comments received from members. The final version has been submitted and may be viewed here. We have received the following response from the Facility Development Manager at Ashford Borough Council:
Many thanks for your submission. All relevant comments will be considered for inclusion in the final strategy and may be mentioned in the Cabinet Report which recommends adoption of the strategies.
The Association can be assured that in the event of any future improvements to the sporting infrastructure of the site the local environment will be considered and the Association will be consulted.
24 June 2017
Supportive reply from Damian Green MP
Following our recent letter to Damian Green MP, raising the issues of motorway noise and HGV parking (see news item 16 June 2017), the SLRA has received a supportive reply. Damian is offering to assist in our lobby to Highways England about resurfacing of the M20 and is also supporting measures being taken to manage HGV parking. Damian’s reply may be seen here.
21 June 2017
SLRA response to consultation on Playing Pitch Strategy
Ashford Borough Council is currently holding two public consultations, one on Indoor Sports Facility Strategy and one on Playing Pitch Strategy. The latter includes several references to Sandyacres and it was decided at the SLRA Committee meeting on 6 June 2017 to submit a response. The draft response may be viewed here and the Playing Pitch Strategy document may be viewed here.
Residents wishing to make their own submissions should go to the Ashford Borough Council consultation portal here. The closing date for these consultations is 30 June 2017.
16 June 2017
NHS Listening events
The NHS is holding five 'listening events' across east Kent over July as part of their ongoing conversation with local people about the future of the NHS and social care. The Ashford event takes place on 6 July from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Holiday Inn Central Hotel, Canterbury Rd, Kennington, Ashford TN24 8QQ.
The invitation to these events states:
The events will focus on the work in your CCG area to improve the range and quality of NHS services available in local communities and GP practices. There will be an opportunity to find out more about what is involved, provide your feedback and ask any questions you have about local plans.
We are very keen to hear the views of local people as we work together, making the most of our partnership across health and care to work more actively with our local communities to help people stay well. As well as providing some information on what we are doing to improve care at a local level, we want to understand people’s experiences of care to help shape the future of services.
We look forward to seeing anyone with an interest in health and care in their local area. To help us manage numbers and meet any specific needs you might have such as ‘large print documents’ or having a hearing loop please sign up to an event by contacting us at nelcsu.engagement@nhs.net.
16 June 2017
Motorway noise - expertise needed
Members will be aware that following his re-election on 8 June, Ashford’s MP, Damian Green, has been appointed to a very senior position in the Government.
In congratulating him, the SLRA has taken the opportunity to seek his assistance on two issues of great importance to the Association and its members – motorway noise and HGV parking. A copy of the letter is available here.
Following renewed discussion of the long-standing noise issue at our recent SLRA Committee meeting, we are also writing to Highways England with copies to local Councils etc, in order to keep the issue ‘alive’, particularly in view of the continuing increase in traffic volumes.
We need assistance on the technicalities of motorway noise, including either obtaining new data and/or analysing and interpreting existing data.
If any member has, or knows someone who has expertise in this area and would be willing to assist our cause, please let us know.
14 June 2017
Planning permission granted for extensions at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 13 June 2017 for the erection of a single storey rear extension and first floor side extension at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00627/AS).
13 June 2017
Success: Boundary Commission accepts SLRA proposal
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) has today published its final recommendations for the warding arrangements for Ashford Borough Council. Members will recall that the draft recommendations published in February 2017 proposed that all those properties in the SLRA area currently in Boughton Aluph & Eastwell borough ward (except a few in part of Lenacre Street) should be moved into a new Goat Lees borough ward and that they should also become part of the Goat Lees parish ward in the parish of Boughton Aluph & Eastwell.
The SLRA and a number of individual members lobbied hard against this proposal, arguing that our community should not be divided by transferring a large part of it into a new 'urban' ward. Our submission may be seen here. We are delighted to report that the Boundary Commission has accepted these arguments and moved the boundary so that all properties in the SLRA area (except 5 properties in Faversham Road) will be included in the Downs West ward. Furthermore, the properties which were proposed to be moved from the Boughton Aluph parish ward to the Goat Lees parish ward will remain in the Boughton Aluph parish ward (which will not, as previously proposed, be re-named Boughton Lees ward).
The following are extracts from the final recommendations:
Downs
40 We received a number of submissions suggesting that Sandyhurst Lane be included wholly in the Downs West ward. We have therefore made a small modification to the ward boundary between Downs West and Goat Lees to include the entirety of Sandyhurst Lane, Lenacre Street and Eastwell Grange in Downs West. Downs West will achieve good electoral equality by 2022.
Goat Lees and Kennington
45 We received a number of submissions from residents and a local organisation regarding these two wards, particularly concerning the boundary along Sandyhurst Lane.
46 The submissions we received strongly opposed the inclusion of part of Sandyhurst Lane, Lenacre Street and Eastwell Grange in the Goat Lees ward and cited good local evidence that supported its inclusion in a ward of a more rural than urban nature. We have therefore amended the boundary between Goat Lees and Downs West to include the whole of Sandyhurst Lane within the Downs West ward.
The interactive map on the LGBCE website shows the exact boundary; although not mentioned in the text, Watsons Close is also included in Downs West borough ward and Boughton Aluph parish ward. Two extracts of that map, showing the final recommendations for the eastern and western halves of the SLRA area are available here.
Following a Parliamentary Order, the new arrangements will come into operation at the local elections on Thursday 2 May 2019.
Full details of the final recommendations may be found on the LGBCE website here.
9 June 2017
General election: Damian Green holds Ashford seat
In yesterday's general election, Damian Green (Con) held the Ashford seat for his sixth term.He secured a majority of 17,478, with 59% of the votes. The turnout was 68.69%.
9 June 2017
New version of Ashford Local Plan to 2030
Whilst it has not yet been officially published, the proposed revisions to the draft Local Plan 2030, and the Council’s responses to the comments made during last year’s public consultation, have appeared as one of the papers to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 15 June 2017.
A summary of issues pertinent to the SLRA may be viewed here and the full Cabinet paper, which contains much more information, may be viewed here.
9 June 2017
Borough Council By-Election results
The results of the Borough Council By-Election for Bockhanger ward, held yesterday, are on a special page - please click here.
7 June 2017
New timetable for Ashford Local Plan
At their most recent meeting (19 May 2017), Ashford Borough Council adopted a new version of the Local Development Scheme. The council is required to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out the scope and project timetable for the production of the Local Plan documents.
The draft Ashford Local Plan to 2030 was published in June 2016 and, following public consultation, a revised version was expected this month. However, this has now been delayed until "summer 2017". This is because, following the publication of the draft "new household projections were published, requiring a review of the background evidence supporting the plan. This review has resulted in an increase in the objectively assessed need for housing and therefore a need to find additional land to ensure the Local Plan meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework ".
So there will be a further public consultation following the publication of a revised draft Plan in summer 2017. Following this, the Council will formally submit the draft Local Plan 2030 and evidence base to the Planning Inspectorate for examination on behalf of the Secretary of State. An Independent Planning Inspector will assess the Plan, taking account of any comments received. This is scheduled for December 2017.
The final adoption of the Plan by the Council is now expected by summer 2018.
The new Local Development Scheme containing the timetable for the Local Plan may be viewed here.
4 June 2017
Boundary Commission extend date of publication for Ashford review
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) were due to publish their final recommendations for Ashford Borough Council’s warding arrangements on 6 June 2017.
However, it appears that they have awarded themselves an extra week to work on them, as their website now gives the date as 13 June 2017.
25 May 2017
Order to extinguish footpath AU1 is issued
Further to our update of 8 May (below), the formal order to extinguish footpath AU1 has now been issued by KCC for formal consultation. The official public notice, statement of reasons, order and order plan showing the route to be extinguished may be viewed here.
Any representation about or objection to the Order may be sent in writing to William Barfoot (Tel: 03000 418674, email: william.barfoot@kent.gov.uk) before 30th June 2017, stating the grounds on which they are made.
17 May 2017
Planning permission granted for extensions at 62 Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 16 May 2017 for single storey and two storey rear extensions, replacement porch, changes to external materials, addition of first floor window to side elevation, driveway alterations and addition of flue at 62 Sandyhurst Lane. There were no objections. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00424/AS).
9 May 2017
Planning permission sought for extension of existing access to entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made for planning permission for the extension of the existing access to the entire frontage at Wind in the Willows, 174a Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 1 June 2017. Full details may be viewed here (case number 17/00692/AS).
8 May 2017
Further update on footpath AU1
Further to our news item of 21 February, this is a further update on progress towards extinguishing footpath AU1, following the ‘informal’ consultation which ended on 27 March and to which the SLRA responded, supporting the proposed extinguishment:
An order has now been made to extinguish footpath AU1; this is currently with the KCC legal team awaiting signing and sealing.
Following this, the order will then be put out to another consultation of 28 days; this is the formal consultation. Existing consultees will receive a copy of the order in this process. If no formal objections are made, or those that are made are withdrawn following this 28 days, then the order can be confirmed, and the path extinguished. If objections are made, then the process becomes more complex and therefore longer. There is another legal challenge period after this of 6 weeks, in which any legal challenges can be made to the High Court (this is extremely rare).
So the application is proceeding, and consultees should receive within the next few weeks a copy of the order and formal consultation.
The footpath will still remain legally present and on the Definitive Map, until the order is confirmed, and we will be informed when this takes place.
5 May 2017
KCC Election results
Charlie Simkins (Con) has retained the seat for Ashford Rural West division. For full details, see our KCC election results page.
5 May 2017
Planning permission granted for garage conversion at
Cornerways, Sandyhurst Lane
Planning permission was granted on 4 May 2017 for conversion of the garage and alterations to roof and extension to driveway and crossover at Cornerways, Sandyhurst Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00443/AS).
3 May 2017
Bockhanger By-Election to be held on 8 June
The by-election for the Bockhanger ward of Ashford Borough Council (which follows the resignation of Luke Powell as Councillor), will be held at the same time as the General Election, on Thursday 8 June 2017, provided it is contested, ie more than one nomination is received. Nominations may be made up to 4 pm on 11 May. The official notice of election may be viewed here.
29 April 2017
Bockhanger By-Election
Those members who live in Ashford Borough Council's Bockhanger ward (even numbered side of Sandyhurst Lane up to 196 and associated side roads) will soon have another election. This will be a by-election for a new borough councillor to represent the ward. This election is in addition to those for KCC councillors on 4 May and the General Election on 8 June. Ashford Borough Council will announce the details of this by-election in due course.
From 2 May 2019, boundary changes will mean that no SLRA members will live in Bockhanger ward.
27 April 2017
Planning permission sought for extensions at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane
An application has been made for planning permission for the erection of a single storey rear extension and first floor side extension at Hillside, 389 Sandyhurst Lane. The closing date for comments is 20 May 2017. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00627/AS).
21 April 2017
Planning permission granted for garage and home office
at Elvey Cottage, Kingsland Lane
Planning permission was granted on 20 April 2017 for the erection of a double garage incorporating a home office at Elvey Cottage, Kingsland Lane. Full details may be viewed here (search for case number 17/00319/AS).
20 April 2017
Protected birch tree to be replaced
Permission has been granted to fell and replace one of the protected birch trees south of 304 – 316 Sandyhurst Lane as it is becoming diseased. The applicant is the resident at 65 Aylesbury Road, which lies to the rear of 306/308 Sandyhurst Lane.
Full details may be viewed here (search for tree application 17/00058/TP).
15 April 2017
Imminent changes in County Division Boundaries
SLRA area to be united in a single rural County Division
This news item relates to the boundaries between the County Divisions in Kent which are relevant to the forthcoming elections for Kent County Councillors. These boundaries are not to be confused with those between Ashford Borough wards (relevant to Ashford Borough Councillors) and between local parishes, which have been the subject of recent news items.
In 2015, the Boundary Commission carried out a review of the electoral arrangements for the County of Kent, to be implemented in 2017. The SLRA, which had then recently succeeded in getting agreement for the boundary of Westwell parish to be moved in 2019 from the centre of Sandyhurst Lane southwards to include all the SLRA area previously 'unparished', lobbied the Boundary Commission to do likewise with the County Division boundary.
This means that we were asking for the current boundary between Ashford Rural West Division and the (urban) Ashford Central Division to be moved southwards so that the whole of the SLRA area would be united in a single County Division (Ashford Rural West) represented by a single County Councillor.
When the Boundary Commission's final recommendations were published in January 2016, we found that there were no recommendations for changes in our area and we understood that we would have to wait until 2021 for the change we had requested (ie after the parish boundary change had been made).
However, in the run up to the forthcoming County Council elections on 4 May 2017, it has emerged that the Boundary Commission has, in fact, made the change to the County Division boundary that we requested, despite it not being in their final recommendations.
So, from 4 May 2017, the entire SLRA area will fall within Ashford Rural West County Division and we shall all be voting for the same choice of candidates for our County Councillor.
Full details of the electoral arrangements for 4 May are on the KCC website here. A map showing the new boundary is here and the full list of candidates for Ashford Rural West division is here.
Footnote: the properties in the SLRA area which will move from Ashford Central Division to Ashford Rural West Division on 4 May 2017 are as follows: Tollgate Cottage & 4 to 196 Sandyhurst Lane (even numbers), Potters Close, Hoads Wood Gardens and Maidstone Road (south of Potters Corner).
12 April 2017
Watery Lane to be closed on Tuesday 18 April
Watery Lane, Westwell will be closed for repairs from 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday 18 April 2017. Full details may be viewed here.able at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/176763.
Sandyhurst Lane
Residents Association
Residents Association
Protecting the rural character of Sandyhurst Lane and the adjoining area
News Archive for Apr-Jun 2017