Latest news with #SwaleBoroughCouncil
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hopes fence will stop 'illegal encampments' in Sittingbourne park
Fencing will be installed around a recreation ground in Kent to help prevent "illegal encampments", a council has Borough Council is putting "knee rail" fencing around Milton Regis recreation ground, near Sittingbourne, because vehicles have driven on to the area three times this council says removing the encampments, cleaning up after them and carrying out any repairs costs local taxpayers thousands of pounds each 1,476ft (450m) of wooden fencing will be roughly 1.6ft (50cm) high and will be paid for through funding set aside for open space improvements, the council said. Part of the recreation ground already has fencing around its edge. The new fencing will cover the Wooster, chair of the council's environmental services and climate change committee, said: "So far this year, Milton Rec has seen three illegal encampments and residents have expressed their concerns on how it impacts their use of the recreation ground."Each incident also costs local council taxpayers thousands of pounds to remove, along with the costs of cleaning the site, waste removal and carrying out repairs."We need to follow a number of legal steps – welfare checks, legal notices and, when necessary, court applications - which takes up valuable resources."We want to prevent further incidents and have been trying to find ways to retain the original use of the park."Ms Wooster said the fencing would stop vehicles getting into the park without losing the "formal but open feel" of the the area.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
McDonald's new site on A2 near Canterbury gets approval
Plans for a new drive-through McDonald's on a main road in Kent have been approved despite some residents' claims there was "no need" for fast-food chain tabled plans to launch at the A2 London-bound Gate Services at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, on the site of a former Travelodge 79-seat eatery will be next to an existing Costa Borough Council's planning committee voted on Thursday to approve the plans, with 10 councillors in favour and four against. Charlie Brown, acting as a planning agent for McDonald's, implored the committee to back the proposals, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "The application will help redevelop a brownfield site, enhancing the existing service area, creating over 100 new jobs across a range of full and part time roles," he Faversham resident Sarah Moakes said the site would "attract horrendous traffic, especially at tea-time" and would be a "magnet for antisocial behaviour".Councillor Rich Lehmann said: "Whilst new jobs are welcome we must also consider whether this employment genuinely offsets the potential negative impact on existing local businesses – especially independent food outlets in Faversham."Councillor Ben Martin said: "Based on what we have here I cannot see a reason to reject which would stand up to the scrutiny of an inspector."
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Accessible platform for light railway station
A wheelchair-accessible path and railings from a station ticket office to a rebuilt platform have been installed at a light railway line station. The new path at Sittingbourne Viaduct Station, on the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR), would ensure "all Swale residents can enjoy this unique community asset", said the local authority. Swale Borough Council provided a grant for the work through its Community Infrastructure Grant. It said other improvements would include enhancements to the surrounding area, making the trip "more pleasant" for families and people with disabilities. The heritage railway, operated by volunteers, runs original steam trains along part of the old Bowaters Paper Railway line, which was built in 1905. The line's role in Sittingbourne's industrial past was "vital", transporting paper and raw materials between Sittingbourne and Ridham Dock, said the council. Sittingbourne was once home to one of the world's largest paper mills. Last year marked the centenary of Kemsley Mill, which continues to produce paper today. The railway line is now a registered charity, Swale Borough Council said. Dr Paul Williams, Trustee Director of the SKLR, said it has "played a role in the local community for more than 50 years". He added: "The primary aim of this project is to improve accessibility of this local heritage asset for people with disabilities and families." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Burst water main causes disruption to railway line Swale Borough Council Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway
BBC News
19-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sittingbourne: Accessible platform for light railway station
A wheelchair-accessible path and railings from a station ticket office to a rebuilt platform have been installed at a light railway line new path at Sittingbourne Viaduct Station, on the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR), would ensure "all Swale residents can enjoy this unique community asset", said the local Borough Council provided a grant for the work through its Community Infrastructure Grant. It said other improvements would include enhancements to the surrounding area, making the trip "more pleasant" for families and people with disabilities. The heritage railway, operated by volunteers, runs original steam trains along part of the old Bowaters Paper Railway line, which was built in line's role in Sittingbourne's industrial past was "vital", transporting paper and raw materials between Sittingbourne and Ridham Dock, said the was once home to one of the world's largest paper year marked the centenary of Kemsley Mill, which continues to produce paper railway line is now a registered charity, Swale Borough Council Paul Williams, Trustee Director of the SKLR, said it has "played a role in the local community for more than 50 years".He added: "The primary aim of this project is to improve accessibility of this local heritage asset for people with disabilities and families."
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Lib Dem council criticised for ‘namby-pamby' plan to rename path
A Liberal Democrats-led council has been criticised for its 'namby-pamby' plan to rename a path. A section of footpath in Faversham, Kent, currently known to locals as Shooting Meadows Path, could soon be officially named Queen Matilda's Way. Faversham town council will not make the name official because 'shooting could be misinterpreted as an incitement of violence', according to locals. The council are against the proposed new choice, branding the decision to name it after the wife of King Steven, the medieval English monarch as 'bonkers and absolutely nuts'. Residents accused the council of 'historical vandalism,' claiming the footpath is known locally as the Shooting Meadows Path because men have practised archery there in the past. More diverse But councillors explained they are trying to make the town's street names more diverse after discovering there are 'currently more roads named after apples than women'. They insist the road has never officially been named so has requested the path be called Queen Matilda's Place. It is understood Swale Borough Council, which will make the final decision, has advised that the name Shooting Meadows be prohibited amid fears it could be 'misconstrued'. The main opposition to the name change is the Faversham Society, which launched a petition, has been signed by nearly 800 residents. The group's chairman, Ann Furedi, criticised the 'namby-pamby style of politics'. She added: 'I think it is bonkers and absolutely nuts. The argument is that 'shooting' could be misinterpreted as an incitement of violence. 'Does it mean a netball team can no longer have a goal shooter or footballers can't have a penalty shoot-out?' 'Historical vandalism' During the medieval period, men practiced archery every Sunday morning in the fields by the path, leading to the area being known locally as the Shooting Meadows. Historians said it was English law from 1252 that all men between the ages of 15 and 60 were required to practice. Mrs Furedi added: 'We took the view it was historical vandalism to simply change the name of the path. We were pretty appalled there had been no consultation. 'The council had decided it would do this and pressed on with it without anyone knowing.' Another path in the area will be named The Shuts as a nod to the local pronunciation of The Shoots, which is an abbreviation of Shooting Meadows. Mrs Furedi said the Faversham Society does not have an issue with this new title because it pays homage to local history. 'Significant local difference' Councillor Charles Gibson said Faversham town council had recently started renaming paths in a push for Kent County Council to take better care of them. He explained the names form part of a list of local heritage names, adding councillors were looking to diversify. He also claimed that not all locals agreed that the path should be called Shooting Meadows. Mr Gibson said: 'In recent years, we have made a specific effort to make this list more diverse as there are currently more roads named after apples than women. 'However, what developers choose to use is not up to us. 'We have started naming paths because it has recently become clear that Kent County Council is more inclined to repair paths with names, and, frankly, a number of our footpaths are absolutely crying out for repair.' He said there was a 'significant local difference of opinion over whether Queen Matilda Place would have historically been called Shooting Meadows'. 'This is because the two paths crossing the shooting meadows started at either end of it, and so lots of people don't believe using that name, (or a version of it), would be historically correct.' Not 'renaming' Cllr Gibson added that Faversham town council is not 'renaming' anything because the path 'does not have any official name'. He also said he is working with local organisations to arrange information boards that explain the area's historical significance. Swale Borough Council is expected to reveal the final decision later this year.
