14 October 2022
Swale Borough Councillor’s Report
Ensuring residents had access to bottled water during supply problem
Problems with water supply during the hot weather this summer left residents of Courtenay Road, Dunkirk without water for 5 days. Tim saw reports of properties without water on social media after Sout East Water had reported to the Council that all supplies were back to normal. He visited Courtenay Road to speak to residents and find out exactly what the situation was. He then arranged for a bottled water station to be set up at May Tree Nursery on Courtenay Road and moved a carload from Hernhill. The team from Howlands at Dunkirk kindly helped by moving a vanload of bottled water. Tim liaised with the emergency team at Swale Council who arranged for a water bottle station at Dunkirk Village Hall to be set up where residents could get access 24/7. Tim also liaised with South East Water to report exactly where the water was still off. The water supply was restored the following day.
Advertising van moved from motorway bridge
An advertising van has been parked on the motorway bridge on Selling Road since summer 2019. Several residents and both Selling Parish Council and Sheldwich Parish Council complained about the van. Initially the Police declined to take action. It is possible to use planning enforcement, but the procedure is complicated, costly and slow. Painting double yellow lines on the bridge requires a costly traffic regulation order. After an exchange of emails with the police, using some expert advice from Cllr Hobson of Selling Parish Council on section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, the police wrote to the registered owner who moved the van.
People power
There have been two encouraging examples recently where pressure from residents has made a difference.
A planning application was recently submitted to develop land north of the A299 Thanet Way at the junction with Plum Pudding Lane, Dargate. The proposal was for a drive-thru restaurant and several other businesses. Many residents objected due to the drive-thru, with worries about traffic and that it would be a "litter bomb" adding greatly to the debris in our lanes and hedgerows . There were also concerns about the industrialisation of the countryside. They organised a site meeting with planning officers which Alastair attended. Tim ‘called-in’ the application, meaning it will have to be considered by the planning committee, on the grounds of inappropriate site selection. The application has now been revised to remove the Drive Thru in response to residents’ concerns, though there are still questions as to whether it is an appropriate site.
The second one was about The Cave at Boughton Golf Course. This is the new name for the hotel here. Since July 2021, the hotel has hosted events with music being played outside late into the night and even frequent firework displays. Many residents of Poplar View, Bushey Close, The Street, Stockers Hill, and South Street have complained about the nuisance caused by the noise. Fifty-two residents took the opportunity of an application for a new licence to raise their objections to the noise. Alastair and Tim, along with several residents, spoke at the hearing on 10th October. A new licence was granted, but the owners have agreed to measures to reduce the risk of noise nuisance. Outside music and films must cease by 11pm (previously 1am), live music must cease by 10pm (previously 1am), the number of firework displays must not exceed more than 12 a year including New Year and bonfire night (previously unlimited) and with the exception of New Year’s Eve, fireworks may not be set off after 10pm. Finally, a noise limiter must be fitted to the PA equipment (currently no limiter is required). They have also promised to set up a dedicated "hot line" to the manager on duty so that action can be taken if there are problems, with the number on their website. The music from The Cave should not cause a public nuisance at your home. If it does, despite these measures, you can report it via the Swale Borough Council website (search “noise” from the homepage swale.gov.uk).
It can be very tempting to feel that there is nothing we can do when our environment is under threat; be it locally from noise or litter, or more widely from air and water pollution, or the really big one of climate change. It is good to see even small steps in the right direction, brought about by people getting together and making their voices heard.
Tim Valentine (TimValentine@swale.gov.uk) 07752 191807
Alastair Gould (AlastairGould@swale.gov.uk)
Swale Borough Councillors for Boughton & Courtenay.
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