Village confines

/in /by

When planning officers consider a planning application in a rural area one of the considerations is whether the application is inside or outside the existing built area of  a village. At present Ashford Borough Council (ABC) rely on a written definition.   This has been largely unchanged through several recent local plans . In the Ashford 2030 Plan it is as follows :

“the limits of continuous and contiguous development forming the existing built-up area of the settlement , excluding any curtilage beyond the built footprint of the buildings on the site ( eg garden areas )”

As part of this 2030 Plan ABC are making the definition clearer by adding a village confines map for all the settlements  that have been listed in the Local Plan . This includes Brabourne and Smeeth.   Other settlement areas of the parishes are not included in this map exercise.

Local knowledge will inform the map interpretation of “continuous and contiguous development.”  The last point about gardens in the written definition means that map line will not include all gardens.

ABC asked the Parish Councils to comment on the  map that the planners  drew as their interpretation of the written definition.  The map was modified at the Parish Council meeting on 5th February and will be submitted to ABC.  It can be seen below:

brabournelees_smeethv2

Village confines exercise

/in /by

When planning officers consider a planning application in a rural area one of the considerations is whether the application is inside or outside the existing built area of  a village. At present Ashford Borough Council (ABC) rely on a written definition.   This has been largely unchanged through several recent local plans . In the Ashford 2030 Plan it is as follows :

“the limits of continuous and contiguous development forming the existing built-up area of the settlement , excluding any curtilage beyond the built footprint of the buildings on the site ( eg garden areas )”

As part of this 2030 Plan ABC are making the definition clearer by adding a village confines map for all the settlements  that have been listed in the Local Plan . This includes Smeeth and Brabourne Lees which are listed in policy HOU3a.

Local knowledge will inform the map interpretation of “continuous and contiguous development.”  The last point about gardens in the written definition means that map line will not include all gardens.

ABC has asked the Parish Council  to comment on the  map that the planners  have drawn as their interpretation of the written definition, and the Parish Council welcomes residents’ views.

The map is shown below.  Please let councillors or the Clerk have any comments by the end of January, these will be taken into account when the Parish Council, liaising with Brabourne Parish Council, submits its revised version.

brabournelees_smeeth

Brabourne & Smeeth Scout & Guide Hut – lettings

/in /by
The Brabourne & Smeeth Scout & Guide Hut,  to book for parties, classes or events contact the Group Lettings Officer by e-mail, when an application form containing all details and hire fees will be sent out to the prospective hirer.  For any enquiries and bookings please e-mail to:   scout.guidehq@gmail.com  

M20 – J10A

/in /by

Click on the links below to view a presentation on the works, including a timetable for the project, and information re planned road closures.

Presentation

Road closures

Smeeth Primary School

/in /by

Have some free time?

Want to help children receive the best education?

Become a governor!

 

School Governors play a vital part in the success of our schools; they ensure our children get the best from their time in school. Being a school governor is demanding but rewarding. Schools are keen to attract people in the community to become governors; people who can bring energy and experience and can contribute to the strategic leadership of a school.

Governors need to have time to dedicate to their role, to be prepared to make challenging decisions, act with the very best of intentions and confidentially at all times, and to make sure their decisions are followed up. Governors work as a team and play an important role in making sure the school provides a good quality of education. An enhanced and rewarding training programme is available for governors through Kent County Council.

Please contact us if you would like more information about becoming a governor at Smeeth School on 01303 813128 or headteacher@smeeth.kent.sch.uk

Smeeth War Memorial renovation

/in /by

The very least we owe those who paid the ultimate price is to ‘remember and honour them’

 

As you drive into the village of Smeeth, from the A20, one of the first things you see is the War Memorial next to Smeeth Church. It is dedicated to those villagers that gave their lives in the First and Second World War.

The Smeeth War Memorial Renovation Fund is working to restore this important monument as we prepare to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War on 11th November this year.

The project is gathering momentum and we are now seeking funds so we can complete the works by the end of July, in readiness for a rededication ceremony in September.

Plans have been drawn up. The Church, Councils and Historic England have all been consulted. Quotes have been obtained and we are now at the stage where we need your help to consolidate the funding we are hoping to obtain from the War Memorials Trust.

The plan is to sympathetically restore the monument and provide steps and a paved area alongside to allow safe access from Church Road, while preserving the primrose bank.

If you are able to help, watch this space on ways to donate. A bank account is being set up this month.

You can purchase a paving slab for a suggested minimum donation of £50 by sending a cheque made out to the “Smeeth War Memorial Renovation Fund”  at 5 Manor Leaze, Smeeth, Kent TN25 6PX.

Please help honour the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you.

Smeeth Memorial Renovation Fund

Coffee Concerts – 2018 series

/in /by

For the past few summers many people have greatly enjoyed the series of 3 Coffee Concerts which take place in St Mary’s Smeeth and the good news is that there will be another series this year.  As before there will be music in the church from 11.00 – 11.30 followed by tea/coffee/soft drinks and cake from 11.30 – 12.00.

All are welcome – especially children.

Book the dates in your diary now:

Saturday June 16th  –  Music for Wind Quintet with Sue Lowen and friends

Saturday June 23rd  –  Keyboard music from early to present day  with Sian and John Hall

Saturday June 30th  – Music for cello and piano with Gabriel and Jonathan Webb

 

Hospital Field

/in /by
The appeal for Hospital Field starts next week – Gladman is appealing to the Planning Inspectorate against ABC’s refusal to grant planning permission for the 125 homes.
The appeal is being heard in the council chamber at Civic Centre, Ashford and begins at 10am on Tuesday 9th – it is scheduled to run Tues-Fri next week and Tues-Fri the week after.  It would be good to have a show of support from residents as we seek to put our case to the Inspector that the appeal should be disallowed and ABC’s decision upheld.
You don’t have to commit to the whole hearing and it doesn’t have to be the same people every day but it would be great f we could have 10-12 people there every day (and you can also speak if you’d like to, subject to the Inspector’s permission!).