Dear Residents and friends of Sellindge and surrounding Villages,
Please read all comments below after the article.
Cast your minds back just 5 years. Look at us now. Would you have ever imagined that our rural scene and way of life would would be under such attack by our own District Council, hand in glove with developers; and rotten ones at that.
We are all aware of the thousands of homes in the local plan and the unwanted and unneeded Otterpool Town that Leader Monk and his cohorts want to foist upon us. As locals we are aware of the back stories of the 250 Taylor Wimpey houses and the Bucknell Trust land proposal for 180 houses. Now we have Gladman Developments. A developer whose reputation preceeds them. We’ll say no more on that subject for now.
The long term plan is to build 170 houses along the South side of the A20, Main Road, Sellindge, with the first phase of 55 around Grove House and Fieldhead. More details on the link here:
https://folkestonehythedc.force.com/pr/s/planning-application/a1n2o00000313PEAAY
Please click on the link above and go to ‘Comments’ heading to have your say.
We would encourage you all to comment on this application as early as possible. The cut off date to comment is Wednesday, 8th July.
To date, there have been 10 residents who have taken the time to comment. For your guidance, we are publishing them below with names and related property names redacted.
S&DRA.
25/06/2020
The proposed development of land off Ashford Road, Sellindge, opposite the Duke’s Head public house. We wish to register our total opposition to this totally unnecessary development and the further rape of our one-time delightful little village. Our reasons are: Our failing health centre due to massive over-subscription, and that is before the current developments are even fully occupied. The school is also oversubscribed. This land owner has over the years, with various partners, tried to persuade and cajole adjacent land owners to take part in a much larger development, which thankfully have been thwarted. To endeavour to make the development on this parcel of land a more attractive proposition for the developer, 30 odd semi-mature trees have been cut down before preservation orders could be served on them, should this development go ahead many more trees and areas of shrubland would also be vandalised. We cannot allow this to happen. The developer is well aware that no building permission would be considered on the part of the parcel of land which adjoins Bulls Lane and the area behind Grove House and Woodlands, so has come up with a blatant bribe to the village and the planners to construct a play area, outdoor gym and other amenities. Should this ever come to fruition the on-going costs for any equipment with regular inspections, maintenance and refurbishments, and particularly insurance, would be a massive drain on the resources of the village or the District Council for recreational areas, of which we already have 2 in the village. The idea of having a footpath entrance/exit into Bulls Lane is foolhardy and would be dangerous for children, mothers with prams , etc. The existing statutory footpath can be easily and safely accessed at the top of Bulls Lane, along the boundary with Rothergate. The idea of a footpath along the secluded strip of land between Grove House and Woodlands would be a magnet for antisocial and criminal behaviour, when it seems that police resources are stretched in policing the community we already have, further problems should not be contemplated. The prospect of extra pedestrian traffic in Bulls Lane is too dangerous to consider. The Lane is approximately 2.4m wide with no foot way. Quite apart from normal traffic to the properties at the top of Bulls Lane, e.g. delivery vans, gas and oil delivery trucks, etc, the local farmer using this lane to access Rotherwood Farm, whose equipment, for instance a mower 3m wide, stock trailer 2.7m wide, as can be seen, this would be a total recipe for disaster. This proposed development would be on the highest point of land in the Parish of Sellindge so this modern development would be seen from all around the village, and outside. The overview of our once delightful village from places like Farthing Common would be spoilt by this development which would stick out like a carbuncle in the midst of just one more part of destroyed beautiful Kentish countryside. We are appalled with information that has just come to our notice that this development company, with a possibly dubious reputation, in conjunction with the land owner, appears to be trying to subvert public opinion with some people being threatened with legal action if they speak out against, or object to, this planning application. This is morally, if not legally wrong, and a Local Authority administration that prides itself on being “government by the people for the people” should immediately dismiss this application. Name redacted. copies of this email sent to Local parish council Ms Carey Ms Hollingsbee Sellindge Residents Association Sellindge Community Facebook Page
25/06/2020
The proposed development of land off Ashford Road, Sellindge, opposite the Duke’s Head public house. We wish to register our total opposition to this totally unnecessary development and the further rape of our one-time delightful little village. Our reasons are: Our failing health centre due to massive over-subscription, and that is before the current developments are even fully occupied. The school is also oversubscribed. This land owner has over the years, with various partners, tried to persuade and cajole adjacent land owners to take part in a much larger development, which thankfully have been thwarted. To endeavour to make the development on this parcel of land a more attractive proposition for the developer, 30 odd semi-mature trees have been cut down before preservation orders could be served on them, should this development go ahead many more trees and areas of shrubland would also be vandalised. We cannot allow this to happen. The developer is well aware that no building permission would be considered on the part of the parcel of land which adjoins Bulls Lane and the area behind Grove House and Woodlands, so has come up with a blatant bribe to the village and the planners to construct a play area, outdoor gym and other amenities. Should this ever come to fruition the on-going costs for any equipment with regular inspections, maintenance and refurbishments, and particularly insurance, would be a massive drain on the resources of the village or the District Council for recreational areas, of which we already have 2 in the village. The idea of having a footpath entrance/exit into Bulls Lane is foolhardy and would be dangerous for children, mothers with prams , etc. The existing statutory footpath can be easily and safely accessed at the top of Bulls Lane, along the boundary with Rothergate. The idea of a footpath along the secluded strip of land between Grove House and Woodlands would be a magnet for antisocial and criminal behaviour, when it seems that police resources are stretched in policing the community we already have, further problems should not be contemplated. The prospect of extra pedestrian traffic in Bulls Lane is too dangerous to consider. The Lane is approximately 2.4m wide with no foot way. Quite apart from normal traffic to the properties at the top of Bulls Lane, e.g. delivery vans, gas and oil delivery trucks, etc, the local farmer using this lane to access Rotherwood Farm, whose equipment, for instance a mower 3m wide, stock trailer 2.7m wide, as can be seen, this would be a total recipe for disaster. This proposed development would be on the highest point of land in the Parish of Sellindge so this modern development would be seen from all around the village, and outside. The overview of our once delightful village from places like Farthing Common would be spoilt by this development which would stick out like a carbuncle in the midst of just one more part of destroyed beautiful Kentish countryside. We are appalled with information that has just come to our notice that this development company, with a possibly dubious reputation, in conjunction with the land owner, appears to be trying to subvert public opinion with some people being threatened with legal action if they speak out against, or object to, this planning application. This is morally, if not legally wrong, and a Local Authority administration that prides itself on being “government by the people for the people” should immediately dismiss this application. Name redacted. copies of this email sent to Local parish council Ms Carey Ms Hollingsbee Sellindge Residents Association Sellindge Community Facebook Page
25/06/2020
I am totally appalled that the council is even considering granting permission for more development in the village of Sellindge…… if you can still call Sellindge a village! The people of Sellindge have been subjected to a living nightmare during the last year and a half at least with the continuous traffic issues due to the lorries having to use the village as through road. Enough houses have gone up directly opposite the school. The doctors surgery cannot cope, the school cannot cope and the road cannot cope. I believe there has been enough development before the risk of Sellindge no longer being a village
22/06/2020
The village has many new properties and The amount of houses proposed for this site is unrealistic for the size of the plot.
22/06/2020
Sellindge is currently undergoing a transformation from a typical Kentish village to a sprawling town with no thought given to traffic flow and basic amenities such as increase in doctors or indeed schooling above primary. If this and other developers are allowed to continue to ransack our countryside for nothing other than profit for both them and the council then all quality of life will be forever lost.
22/06/2020
Without knowing the impact of the houses currently being built, how can further houses be planned? The village is already lacking the infrastructure required for the new houses opposite the Co-op, the houses currently being built will add further strain, so an additional 55 houses built on green belt land are neither required or wanted. The character of the Village is being destroyed by overdeveloping. I strongly object.
21/06/2020
We currently don’t have adequate facilities (doctors etc.) for existing residents and any more housing at this current time is not appropriate. This particular location needs to be given extra thought as it’s close to houses currently being built we need to see their impact before adding any more.
20/06/2020
As very close neighbours of the proposed site we have a number of concerns. Of particular concern is the surface water drainage of the immediate area. I sent the following request for information to Gladman during their consultation period, but have received no reply nor the coutesy of an acknowledgement. ” With regard to your development proposals for the land off the A20 in Sellindge, I would like to ask how you intend to deal with the disposal of surface water/rainwater. We live in House name redacted. which is situated on the main road just to the West of the proposed site. Our house is lower than both the road and the land behind us. In periods of persistent rain the existing field (The Site) drains towards the road and the water runs West, regularly resulting in a small river which collects around our house as it cannot flow past the access road to the West of us. With continued rain the level rises, and would ultimately reach the level of the road before draining. This would put our house at least 30cm under water. Currently we are protected somewhat by the fact that the land absorbs much of the rainfall, and with general occasional rain we have no issues. If the area is converted to almost all roadways, hard standing, roofs etc., our position would be potentially be a lot worse. Could you confirm that there will be adequate provision by either main drainage, dedicated soakaways, pumping systems, or any other means to ensure the land drainage situation is not made worse. Could you also confirm what means will be employed to achieve this.” We are also very concerned about the potential traffic hazard caused by the single access road for 55 houses joining the A20. The junction is in a 40mph speed limit which is not enforced, and continually broken by through traffic which is not local, but avoiding the motorway due to closures, accidents or just taking the scenic route. The pedestrian route for children walking to the local school is inches from 40 tonne lorries travelling at 40+mph. Cycling is definitely not a great option, with many cyclists already taking to the pavement for safety, the A20 is just not wide enough. Could serious consideration be given to making future developers contribute to a by-pass for through traffic, before any further developments are completed, in order to provide a safe environment for the existing and new residents, and maintain some semblance of village life.
19/06/2020
With the horror of Otterpool Park on our doorstep do we really need 55 houses built in a Village? There is no local need for them. With Otterpool and various other proposals being squeezed into every tiny space available and also the 250 Taylor Wimpy houses in progress at the moment, Sellindge is losing its village status. We believed Folkestone &Hythe Council when told the 250 Taylor Wimpy homes would be all Sellindge will be asked to suffer. Obviously this was not true. Shame on you. The A20 cannot cope with the traffic at the moment let alone the traffic that this and other developments will cause. The air quality In the Village already suffers from traffic fumes spewed out by continuous artic lorries thundering through the village. Please reject this proposal, it is not wanted and it is not needed.
19/06/2020
As our homes are already blighted by Otterpool and plagued by Motorway closures do we really need more homes?You have approved more by the railway and at the top of Barrow Hill yet will do nothing regarding a bypass.We do not need more housing in the village until you sort out the access for the current residents who are prisoners in their own homes due to the volume of traffic. Our lovely village will become a Town and that is not why we moved here.
