HELP KEEP GREENHITHE SAFE

Consultation on the Dartford Borough Council Draft Windfall Sites SPD

Dear Consultee,

In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 the Council is today undertaking consultation on the Draft Windfall Sites SPD.

An early draft version of the SPD was made available for comment in May 2014.  The draft Windfall Sites SPD has been updated based on the comments received during this early stage consultation, as well as feedback received in the course of using the Windfall Sites Practice Note for determining planning applications.

The draft version of the SPD was made available for comment in May 2014 and the draft Windfall Sites SPD has been updated based on the comments received during this early stage consultation.

The Windfall Sites SPD (attached) is accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Statement, which concluded that the SPD does not require an environmental assessment.  This Screening Statement, along with the Public Participation Statement and the Public Notice can be found on the web page at www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites

The revised Windfall Sites SPD was approved for consultation by Cabinet on 24th July 2014. You are invited to make representations on the Draft Windfall Sites SPD during the consultation period, which runs from Friday 25^th July until Friday 5^th September 2014, and ends at 5:00pm.   The online response form or the dedicated representation form should be used to submit your comments.  They contain important information on data protection issues and will help ensure that your views can be clearly recorded. 

Comments can be made by:

•     Completing an on-line response form at  www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites

•     Emailing a response form to LDF@dartford.gov.uk

•     Posting a response form to Planning Policy Team, Dartford Borough Council, Civic Centre,   Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent  DA1 1DR

Response forms and the Draft Windfall Sites SPD are also available on the Council’s website at www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites or can be viewed at the following locations (please check opening hours):

-          Dartford Civic Centre

-          Dartford Library

-          Ashen Drive Library

-          Fleetdown Library

-          Greenhithe Library

-          Longfield Library

-          Summerhouse Drive Library

-          Sutton-at-Hone Library

-          Swan Valley Library

-          Temple Hill Library

Response forms can be requested by emailing LDF@dartford.gov.uk or by calling 01322 343213.

After the close of consultation, the responses received will be considered and the SPD will be amended as appropriate prior to adoption. The key issues raised by respondents will be summarised in the Public Participation Statement including details of how the issue was dealt with in finalising the Windfall Sites SPD for adoption.

The key stages are as follows:

•   Early-stage consultation on the Draft SPD (completed)

            •      Comments reviewed and SPD updated (completed)

•   Consultation on the Draft SPD (this stage)

•   Consideration of comments and preparation of Public Participation Statement and final SPD

•   Adoption and Publication on the SPD (Autumn 2014)

Please can you acknowledge receipt of this email and address any other correspondence regarding this matter to LDF@dartford.gov.uk

If you are no longer the correct contact for the Council’s Development Plan documents, could you forward to the right person in your organisation and let us know so that we can update out records accordingly.

Thank you

Regards

Katie Gill

Planning Policy Team

Dartford Borough Council

01322 343213

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS

To receive your Bluewater e-news, please add comms@mailings.bluewater-communications.co.uk to your address book.

Make this your Hoppy-est Easter ever! Lindt brings Easter to life with a magical adventure trail for children in the Guildhall until the 21st April. Solve the clues in the Golden Bunny Warren and receive a golden Lindt chocolate reward at the end.

Happy 15th Birthday Bluewater

Bluewater shopping centre turns fifteen 

News By Heloise Wood

Bluewater is celebrating its 15th birthday having welcomed six times the UK’s population into its stores over that time.

Bluewater shopping centre turns fifteen

The Greenhithe-based shopping centre has also launched 50 new brands in its lifetime and provided employment for around 40,000 people. More than 375 million shoppers have visited the store during its lifetime. 

On Monday morning (MARCH 17) there was a special breakfast for all those who worked there since the beginning. 

On March 28 the Learning Shop Awards will reward the people and companies who have shone at Bluewater. Dartford MP Gareth Johnson and Council Leader Jeremy Kite will be on hand to help with celebrations.

The centre’s general manager Robert Goodman said: "Fifteen years is a tremendous milestone and Bluewater has achieved a great deal since opening. 

"Key to our success have been the people that work here and the wider community. "Our celebrations, therefore, are both a recognition of their vital contribution to our success and an opportunity to look ahead to Bluewater’s next chapter." 

Shoppers have also been enjoying discounts, designed to celebrate the milestone.
For more information, visit bluewater.co.uk

Stone Parish Council QUID PRO QUO... the art of making unacceptable development acceptable?

Stone Parish Council QUID PRO QUO 

...the art of making unacceptable development acceptable?

Ordinarily it could be argued that 16 4-bedroom houses at this location could be considered inappropriate, but we think what makes this development palatable is the inclusion of the multi-use community building. 

As is so often the case with developments, especially those in Greenhithe, is they are delivered without providing the community infrastructure which can be as  simple as a hall 'somewhere to meet', which we see as the essential building blocks  required to bring about community cohesion which is so often missing or left lagging way behind the growing communities needs. 

Many residents may not like the idea of 16 more homes but it can be seen from the application documents that much care and thought has gone into meeting the communities needs and more importantly how the development of these homes will provide the necessary funding for the delivery of a new community centre at no direct cost to residents.   

This is not a new or unique approach, developers often revert to this approach in order to justify higher densities or paying less S-106 contributions. However in this case it seems that Stone council have seized the initiative and the parish council are to be commended for their proactive approach and vision. Something we feel all local parish and town councils would benefit greatly from following Stone Councils example is a masterclass in how to get the most out of development in your area. 

Planning application Ref: 14/00028/FUL is for the Erection of 16 No. 4 bedroom houses in two terraces and erection of a multi-use community building with access road and ancillary works at  Land Adjacent The Lodges Cotton Lane Stone Kent.  

The full application and the link to lodge a formal comment regarding the application can be found Here...

Devastating weather wreaks havoc at Ingress Park Greenhithe

Wind rips open the top of a new build flat in Greenhithe

By Heloise Wood

The weekend's tempestuous weather wreaked havoc in Greenhithe as winds ripped a huge hole in a new build apartment complex. 

A gap is clearly visible under the roof of the building in Ingress Park, London Road, following extreme weather on Friday evening (FEB 14). 

The incredible pictures, showing gaping gaps where bricks should be, were captured by resident Tom Harris. 

The devastating weather is continuing this week with 16 severe flood warnings in place for southern England and the Met Office has issued a yellow (“be aware”) weather warning for certain parts of the UK.

Justice for Claire? Former milkman Colin Ash-Smith has been found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in a "frenzied attack" in 1993

Former milkman Colin Ash-Smith has been found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in a "frenzied attack" in 1993.

The 46-year-old stabbed Claire Tiltman from behind as she took a short cut through an alleyway to a friend's house in 1993, four days after her 16th birthday.

More follows...

Tragic loss: Claire Tiltman

Read the full story here: News Claire Tiltman Daily Mirror

Two minute Armistice Day silence brings Bluewater to a standstill

Chresti Dack, 84, pays her respects.

By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter
 

BLUEWATER was brought to a standstill as hundreds of shoppers observed a two minutes silence for Armistice Day today. 

Just before 11am on Monday The Last Post rang out from the bugle of former paratrooper Bob Cole and Dartford MP Gareth Johnson read from Robert Laurence Binyon’s famous poem For The Fallen. 

Left to right: Fusilier Baggett, Alan Nimmo, Elliot Tapping, MP Gareth Johnson and Paul Jacobs.

A crowd of around 500 shoppers gathered to watch as the standard of the Greenhithe and Swanscombe branch of the Royal British Legion was lowered by bearer Elliot Tapping. 

Standard bearer Elliot Tapping.

At 11am onlookers bowed their heads to honour British soldiers killed in war on the 95th anniversary of the end of the First World War which began 100 years ago next year. 

Remembering the fallen

                                            

Greenhithe and Swanscombe RBL committee member Graham Mentor-Morris said: "It all went incredibly well indeed. 

"The constant throb of Bluewater just suddenly stopped and it was quite strange. The vast majority of shoppers were very supportive. 

Bob Cole plays the last post.

"Having a live bugle call made all the difference." 

The poppy appeal at Bluewater has raised around £10,000 for the RBL.

Government shifts cycling up a gear

Photo: Nick Ansell/PA Images.

Organisations:

Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and Department for Transport

Page history:

Published 12 August 2013

Policies:

Making transport more accessible to all+ 2 others, Making roads safer and Improving local transport

Ministers:

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP and The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

A nationwide drive to promote cycling in cities and national parks across England will be launched today.

The Prime Minister announces the biggest ever single injection of cash for the country alongside plans to make roads safer for those on two wheels.

£77 million will be divided between Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Norwich, while the New Forest, Peak District, South Downs and Dartmoor will each share a slice of £17 million funding for national parks. With local contributions, the total new funding for cycling is £148 million between now and 2015.

The announcement includes a commitment from the government to cut red tape that can stifle cycle-friendly road design and to encourage changes to the way roads are built or altered. Councils will be expected to up their game to deliver infrastructure that takes cycling into account from the design stage.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:

Following our success in the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Tour de France, British cycling is riding high - now we want to see cycling soar. Our athletes have shown they are among the best in the world and we want to build on that, taking our cycling success beyond the arena and onto the roads, starting a cycling revolution which will remove the barriers for a new generation of cyclists.

This government wants to make it easier and safer for people who already cycle as well as encouraging far more people to take it up and business, local government, developers, road users and the transport sector all have a role to play in helping to achieve this.

Sign up for regular email updates from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Investment in ‘cycle proofing’

New trunk road schemes that have a significant impact on cyclists, such as junction improvements or road-widening, will be ‘cycle-proofed’ so they can be navigated confidently by the average cyclist.
Significant junction upgrades and other improvements will help cyclists at 14 locations on the trunk road network where major roads can prove an obstacle for journeys by bike. £5 million will be invested in upgrades this year and a further £15 million will be invested in 2015 to 2016, with plans in place for many more similar schemes.

This commitment to improved cycling facilities is intended to put Britain on a level-footing with countries known for higher levels of cycling like Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

We have seen a significant growth in the number of cyclists in London over the last few years. But cycling shouldn’t be confined to the capital. Today’s announcement shows we are absolutely committed to boosting cycling in cities and the countryside across the whole of England. I want to help open up cycling to more people and these measures to make cycling safer on our roads are an important part of that.

Making cycling safer in urban areas

The Prime Minister announced allocations from the government’s fund to make cycling easier and safer for people in the following urban areas which include the three largest cities outside of London:

• Greater Manchester £20 million
• West Yorkshire £18.1 million
• Birmingham £17 million
• West of England £7.8 million
• Newcastle £5.7 million
• Cambridge £4.1 million
• Norwich £3.7 million
• Oxford £0.8 million

This funding means that investment in cycling in the 8 cities is now in excess of £10 per head per year, as recommended by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group’s recent report. This will help these cities deliver a surge in cycling similar to that seen in the capital.

Read more... 

DIGNITY & GRACE... EVEN WHEN THERE'S NO LOVE LOST...

Dear GMRA members and readers,

Following the recent Kent County Council Elections we received a lot of emails from members who were concerned that by endorsing a political candidate, as we did, meant that we, the residents association would no longer be seen as a non-political group.

The Greenhithe Conservative Councilors have recently published and hand delivered their newsletter throughout Greenhithe and at the risk of further wrath from members we have copied it into this post below: This newsletter tell us that we endorsed the right man in Cllr Keith Kelly, who following his election defeat, didn't throw his toys out of the pram, no instead, he showed dignity and grace in accepting his fate.

We also admire the fact that both Cllr Kelly and Cllr Mote have openly opposed the proposed Lower Thames Crossing at the Swanscombe Peninsula which is of course a view we share as it is not only the correct decision its the right decision for Swanscombe & Greenhithe as well as for the whole of Kent Thameside and the Tames Gateway.

Apologies if this is political, but we need more local representation and thank goodness for people like Cllr Mote & Cllr Kelly who are not afraid to speak up for local residents.

Pier Pub Raft Race and Summer Fair - 13 July 2013

Community Event

Contact Details for pub The Pier Hotel: The Pier Hotel. High Street Greenhithe DA9 9NN Telephone: +44(0)1322 382291 

For Raft Race and Summer Fair. Please call 07773 254605 for full details.

Venue: The Pier Hotel Pub High Street, Raft Race off of Pier Road Public Causeway Greenhithe & Summer Fair at Ingress Park Riverfront Park.  

Date: Saturday 13 July, 2013  
Time: 13:00 to 18:00 

Top award for Greenhithe Scout Tommy Manktelow

Top award for Scout

by Lizzie Massey emassey@thekmgroup.co.uk

Oliver Willbye holding his certificate with explorer leader Tommy Manktelow.

A teenager has achieved the highest award in Scouting, the Queen’s Scout Award. 

Oliver Willbye, from Horns Cross, Greenhithe has been involved in Scouting for 12 years and completed the top award with the Livingstone Explorer Scout Unit in Stone.

The 18-year-old, who is now known as a Queen’s Scout, embarked on an expedition around Exmoor and got involved with community activities, including helping Beaver and Cub groups, as part of the award. 

He received a certificate from The Queen and joined other award winners at Windsor Castle, where they were put through their paces with a marching session at the Victoria Barracks, under the watchful eye of drill instructors.

The Queen’s Scouts then attended the National Scout Service at St George’s Chapel with the Duchess of Cambridge, who stood in for the Queen, and Chief Scout Bear Grylls. Oliver, who also completed the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award through Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe last year, said: “It was a fantastic experience that I shall never forget. “I would like to thank my parents, my explorer leader Tommy Manktelow and Dan Taylor of Swan Valley for aiding and giving me the encouragement and support so that I could have the opportunity to complete both the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen’s Scout Awards.”

The Queen’s Scout Award requires an extremely high standard of self-discipline, leadership and achievement in activities, interests and community services.

County Council - Thursday, 2nd May, 2013

Election results for Swanscombe and Greenhithe

County Council - Thursday, 2nd May, 2013

• Status: Published
• County Council - results by party

Swanscombe and Greenhithe - results

Election Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Peter Martin Harman	Swanscombe & Greenhithe Residents' Association	673	27%	Elected
Keith Martin Kelly	Conservative	650	26%	Not elected
Val Ashenden	Labour and Co-operative Party	567	23%	Not elected
Stephen Wilders	U K Independence Party	528	21%	Not elected
Bryan Cope	Conservative	49	2%	Not elected
Charlie Wood	English Democrats	42	2%	Not elected

Voting Summary

Details	Number
Seats	1
Total votes	2509
Electorate	12041
Num. ballot papers issued	2513
Number of ballot papers rejected	4
Turnout	21%

Share of the votes (%)

Peter Martin Harman	27%	Elected
Keith Martin Kelly	26%	Not elected
Val Ashenden	23%	Not elected
Stephen Wilders	21%	Not elected
Bryan Cope	2%	Not elected
Charlie Wood	2%	Not elected

Rejected ballot papers

Description	Number
Defaced	4
Total rejected	4

ELECTION DAY THURSDAY MAY 2nd 2013 PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE!

The best person for the job is clearly someone who wants to do the job.

Give the job to someone who clearly wants the job Vote for Kieth Kelly. 

UKIP Slams Tory Election 'Smear Campaign'

Sky News reported that UKIP has accused the Tories of running a "morally reprehensible" smear campaign by trawling through would-be councilors' Twitter and Facebook posts.

John Sullivan

The party claims it is a victim of a co-ordinated smear campaign by the Conservatives to undermine its local election prospects.

The row comes as one of the party's council candidates faces criticism for allegedly posting a series of anti-gay comments on Facebook. 

Gloucestershire County Council hopeful John Sullivan is accused of writing that regular physical exercise in schools can prevent homosexuality and congratulating Russia for banning gay pride.

At least two Sunday newspapers ran negative UKIP stories. To read the full story as reported by Sky News click on the following link: UKIP Slams Tory Election 'Smear Campaign.

We decided to do some scrolling of our own to see if we could find any evidence to support claims of smear campaign closer to home...

UKIP Cllr Chris Browne is thought to have been the subject of smear campaigns in Surrey that he isn't going to take up his job as a borough Councillor. What nonsense! It just shows how desperate the other parties have become that they stoop to this. 

However we found no evidence to support UKIP claims, in fact locally we found evidence to support quite the opposite where it is clear UKIP and their supporters are attacking fellow candidates; claiming Conservatives Candidate Keith Kelly is weak and, The Swanscombe & Greenhithe Residents Association have been torn apart following the decision not to allow the current KCC Councillor Richard Lees to contest his seat. Instead they put forward a proven deviate... We need people in politics who can make a difference vote UKIP.

At the time of writing this piece Mr Peter Harman was unavailable for comment. However former Councillor David West who recently resigned his seat on the Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council and who was somewhat controversially replaced by none other-than Josephine Harman had this to say:

"As an ex S&GRA Councillor, this interests me. Richard is a very motivated Councillor, he does far more than most. There was an election, unfair in my opinion, which i took part in. Richard lost to one of the "old school" Councillors. The winning Councillor's wife was later shoe horned into the vacancy left by me, there was no election. I'm afraid S&GRA lives in the past. Dominated by old men (mainly) that are more interested in free cups of tea and biscuits than they are in "ruffling feathers". The council does very little to support the old part of Greenhithe, it may as well be called the Swanscombe and Ingress Park Town Council. Having said all this, I'd rather eat my own eyes than vote for UKIP".

What do you think ?
Should ordinary hard working men and women who want to serve their communities be subjected to a political lynch mob. A Conservative party source told Sky News that..."UKIP should be held to account about the candidates they want to hold public office." We are inclined to agree provided the same can be said of the candidates standing for the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association Party, The Conservative, Liberal Democrats  and The Labour Party and others.