Angry WASPS Swarm on Westbrook Promenade Green

Despite the cold wind and rain supporters of our village green campaign staged a protest on the green next to Barnes car park on the Westbrook Promenade. The press were there and protesters were interviewed. About 50 turned up with umbrellas and raincoats. Councillor Tom King was also present and I would like to thank him for his support.
It is expected that the report will appear in the Isle of Thanet Gazette this week.
Supporters have asked that we arrange a venue and hold a meeting to prepare for the hearing that is due to take place in the Spring. Watch this space for date,time and place.

Petition
There is a petition which is growing and this will add impetus to the campaign. So far there are about 150 names. If anyone wants to sign this please e-mail WASPS on waspsis@hotmail.co.uk alternatively add your comments below.
The petition reads as follows;
"We the undersigned are against the proposed sale or lease by Thanet District Council and subsequent development of the common ground below the cliffs and adjacent to the car park on the promenade at Westbrook. It has free access to all and has been left natural and is developing its own wildlife and flora. One development proposes 12 beach chalets for holiday accommodation. This would destroy the site and deny all use by the public."

Meet the Press

On Tues 29th. December WASPS meet the press. If you want to show your support we are meeting at 11a.m. at Barnes Car Park on the Westbrook promenade. You don't want to miss a photo opportunity. Hope the weather is not like the photo.

Newsletter put out by WASPS' Tony Sykes

Westbrook Against Selling Promenade Site (WASPS) Application VGA611


Our Application is on the Move
Hello supporters. Our village green application is on the move. There will be a notice in the KM Thanet Extra on 18 December 2009 stating that there has been an application and that any representations should be made to Miss Melanie McNeir, KCC, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XX. Please get as many supporters as possible to write in or e-mail to: commons.villagegreens@kent.gov.uk Our application is numbered VGA611.
Order of Process
The order of events will be as follows;
1. The final date for comments will be 5th February 2010.
2. The evidence will then be examined and any objections forwarded to me for comment.
3. It is likely that it will be subject to a hearing at the end of April or beginning of May 2010.
Developer’s Idea for site
As reported on the blog, in September we were asked to meet with a developer so he could explain a potential use for this land. A small group had a site meeting with him. The proposition was to lease this land to site 12 Eco Chalets on the plot of land between Barnes Car Park and the first slope to the West. The idea was to provide accommodation for people wanting to visit the Turner Centre. There was a frank exchange of views as it would have barred all public use of this land. It was voiced that this development would meet with very strong objection.

Likely Outcomes
If our application is successful then any future development will be stopped and the site will be able to be used as before.
If our application is unsuccessful then it is almost certain to be sold off and will be developed.
It is therefore important that we put forward our best case possible. The first step has already been taken with 145 of you supplying evidence in support giving us a very strong case. However there could be opposition to the application and we need to be prepared. Our ward councillors are keeping very quiet and will not comment whether they support our application. At this stage I am not sure what agenda they are following.
I am therefore asking for help in preparing our case ready for the hearing and also if possible attending the hearing to help put our case forward in the best possible way. Hopefully we can meet up in late February or March. If you are able to help in any way please contact me on 01843 223841 or alternatively e-mail me at tonysykes@talktalk.net .
Residents Association
The Westbrook and Westgate Residents Association are supporting us so if you are a member or wish to join, they meet on the second Monday in the month at 7.15pm at the WWRA building in the passage to the left of the Carlton Cinema Westgate. In the meantime I hope you all have a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Tony Sykes

Stop Press

The KCC the press notice about our village green will appear in the KM Thanet Extra on Friday 18th.December 2009. The deadline for objections or support will be Friday 5th.February 2010. If you support us please respond to this and send your comments to Miss Melanie McNeir, Commons Registration Team, Kent County Council, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XX or e-mail to commons.villagegreens@kent.gov.uk before 5th.February.
Please quote reference VGA611 and include your name and postal address.

Press Notice

There will be a press notice in the local paper on Friday 18 December 2009 for consultation on our proposed New Village Green. If you support this please send in your comments. I will update you more when I have more details.

Coastal Access

From KCC Website

Kent's coast is an important part of our identity - valued for its scenery, rich wildlife and heritage, for its sense of freedom and as a place for relaxation and enjoyment. It is one of the longest and most varied in England.

There are good opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding at various locations around the coast. There are also places where access may not be so good or could be improved.

The Government's vision for coastal access is to provide:-

'A coastal environment where rights to walk along the length of the English coast lie within a wildlife and landscape corridor that offers enjoyment, understanding of the natural environment and a high quality experience; and is managed sustainably in the context of a changing coastline.'
This vision seems in conflict with Thanet District Council's vision of Asset Stripping particularly on our coastline.

It continues to say.

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is currently going through Parliament.The Bill is likely to receive Royal Assent in November. It aims to improve access around Kent's coast (and all of England) by creating a long distance walking route and creating a margin of accessible land where people will be able to spread out and explore, rest or picnic should they wish to.

I understand this has now been passed.

Good News

I understand that Thanet District Council have decided that asset disposal of land subject to Village Green applications should be put on hold until the outcomes are known.
This gives breathing space and time for TDC to realise what a mistake it is to sell off our coastline sites. See recent suggested sites for consultation on this link http://www.thanet.gov.uk/environment__planning/asset_disposal_site_2010_to_11.aspx
The new marine conservation bill and coastal path will only add weight to what we are trying to do with the land adjacent to Barnes Car park.

History

The story so far is as follows:
Following the consultation exercise by the council they published the decision to sell this land for development with a photo. It was at this time that it was realised what plot of land they were actually wanting to sell.
Several e-mails later to the council asking them to re-open consultations failed. One of our ward counsellors did contact us saying it would only be developed for community use. When asked what that meant the answer was either a cafe or what he called eco-pods posibly even coach parking. It was at this point that it was realised that it would be lost to development. Recent legislation on Village Green registration was suggested and hence an application was made.
It was necessary to support this application with evidence that this land had been used by the public for at least 20 years and is still used.
A leaflet was delivered to properties with 1/4 mile radius of the site. It was amazing the reaction it received. There was a considerable amount of disquiet about the way the council had mislead everyone and as a result a massive amount of evidence was gathered on KCC forms.

There has been support from Counsellors Iris Johnston, Tom King and County Counsellor Robert Burgess as well as the Westbrook and Westgate residents Association. Regrettably despite several e-mails to our ward counsellors Mick Tomlinson and Dean Mc Castree none of which received a reply has there been any indication as to whether they support or oppose our application.

In September we were asked to meet with a developer so he could explain a potential use for this land. A small group had a site meeting with him. The proposition was to lease this land to site 12 Eco Chalets on the plot of land between Barnes Car Park and the first slope to the West. The idea was to provide accommodation for people wanting to visit the Turner Centre. There was a frank exchange of views as it would have barred all public use of this land. It was voiced that this development would meet with very strong objection. This land is used for walking, dog walking, nature enthusiasts, children, cycling, kite flying, picnics, bar-b-Q's and a pleasant place to get away from the adjoining busy bays. It has developed into and continues to develop into a haven for birds and insects and it has been reported bats. There are wild flowers and in the spring daffodils. The cycle route passes it and it adds to the joy of coastline. We use it and do not want to lose it.

WASPS

This blog is set up to support WASPS (Westbrook Against Selling Promenade Site). As a result of Thanet District Council's Asset Disposal Policy they want to sell off a piece of land adjacent to Barnes Car Park on the Westbrook Promenade for development. Unfortunately in the consultation exercise it was described as land at Barnes Avenue so residents were unaware that this land was on the promenade. When they were informed where it was they wanted to object. Unfortunately their ward counsellors were not listening to their pleas so it was decided to apply to register this land as a Village Green. Support for this has been overwhelming and evidence from 144 people has been submitted to KCC .

The people of this locality are very fond of this piece of land and do not want it developed. It is used by so many people and has been for several years. It is a quiet natural place between two busy bays and has become haven for wildlife.

The application for Village Green is on the KCC register and is likely to actioned soon so watch this space for further updates coming soon.