Open Spaces

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To implement the Council's vision for the area, there will need to be a significant increase above the historic level of development in the area, both housing and employment space. There will also need to be a significant additional provision of open space of various types, proportionate to the level of other new development. [Draft Local Plan 1.51]

The housing estates proposed for Herne Bay eat up open space, they do not produce it.

There is not enough amenity green space provision now in Reculver, Heron and West Bay wards. A much bigger Herne Bay population will make this worse. The Council recognises that we don't have enough playing fields or allotments now. [Draft Local Plan 11.30]

"Everyone should have access to a space where children can play within 300 metres of their home (this includes amenity open space)." [Draft Local Plan 11.32]

This is not being achieved everywhere in Herne Bay now.

"Historically, some development has occurred outside the urban areas, that has led to the gradual erosion of the open countryside and coalescence between built up areas. The City Council is concerned that this gradual coalescence between existing built up areas not only harms the character of the open countryside, but is having an adverse impact on the setting and special character of villages." [Draft Local Plan 11.53]

The four biggest housing development sites of the five being proposed join Herne Bay to Herne village. In the east, Herne Bay will go south from the sea, through Hillborough, Broomfield and Hunters Forstal to Herne. In the west the town will stretch south from Hampton, through Greenhill to Herne.

Vehicle ploughs through stone bollards

They all drive like that in Whitstable...

A car ended up teetering on a sea wall after speeding off of the road and crashing through stone bollards. Stunned witnesses said the green Peugeot smashed through the bollards in Hampton after careering along Swalecliffe Avenue, ending up balanced on the sea wall on Sunday night. Phil Hopkins, whose house overlooks the road, said three youths walked away from the wreckage unhurt. He said:

"I was sitting in my house when I heard an almighty 'whoosh'. My cat jumped out of her basket like something had stung her and I ran to the front door just in time to see this car go flying off the road. Three young lads got out and walked away quite leisurely. They weren't running, although they were walking a bit faster than normal. They went up the verge and disappeared. Moments later the police arrived, then the fire service."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said:

"I saw a car come hammering down, thump off the sea wall and land on the beach with half of it hanging from the sea wall. It had its hazard warning lights on. I thought: 'You won't need them mate!'."

Police confirmed a green Peugeot came off the road on Sunday night. A spokesman said:

"It crashed through stone bollards and came to rest balanced precariously over the sea wall near the Hampton Inn pub. No one was injured."

A 27-year-old man from Whitstable has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Police are appealing for witnesses. Call 01622 690690.

HB Times 30th Jun 2011, Ed Targett

Hampton beach clean

HB Times 14th Oct 2010