Destroying the view, disrupting the community

We live right next to the field and currently have wonderful un-obscured views over the fields. We are disgusted and quite horrified that this may go to allow almost one thousand unwanted and unneeded houses to be built over a fifteen to twenty year period of time.

I have already e-mailed our local county councillors and attended the initial developers open day at the Reculver School the other month to voice our concerns over this proposal. We would very much like to be added to your supporters list and to be kept up to date with any developments on this issue.

We are unable to attend the meeting on Monday 21st November due to prior commitments which we just cannot change but would be very interested in attending future meetings or discussions.

We bought our house almost six years ago because we loved the location and the views we do not ever wish to see this change so as I have already said very very strongly against any such developments and the disruption this would cause the local community and the disruption to the roads and the local residents.

T&J 26th Oct 2011

Urban sprawl

Hi,

We are very concerned over this proposal. We moved to Beltinge 4 years ago to enjoy a quiet retirement, and the thought of all this building work and disruption this is going to cause - the roads and services are not suitable.

We do not want this, if we all stick together let's hope we can put a stop to this urban sprawl, and keep the area as it is.

RR 26th Oct 2011

Villagers vow to fight £240m housing plan

More than 100 people crammed into Beltinge Village Hall to unanimously oppose a planned £240 million housing development.

The lively crowd gathered to voice their anger at a controversial scheme to build up to 1,375 homes on land in Hillborough. Everyone voted to fight the proposals, choosing to form a Beltinge and Reculver Residents’ Association to help the cause.

Michael Britton, who lives in Reculver Road, organised the meeting and voiced his fears about the plans to those who turned out. He said:

"As residents we have to fight this lock, stock and two smoking barrels. This is going to destroy what we consider to be ‘our place’. Any application to build houses on that land has to be opposed in its entirety."

The proposal - put forward by Kitewood Estates - would start at the end of next year if a planning application is successful. Building work would be staggered over three phases and include as many as 1,375 homes, a shopping centre and a foot crossing over Blacksole Bridge.

But fears have been raised about the size of the development and the infrastructure in place to cope with it. There are also concerns more houses would lead to traffic problems in the surrounding area. Laura Calder, who gave a presentation at the meeting, said:

"I want to try and help residents articulate their concerns. Should something like this get the go-ahead, it needs to be done in the right manner, with the local community being consulted on what they want to see."

Kitewood boss Mike Dolan welcomed the meeting, adding that he hopes revised plans for the development will be complete in the next 10 days. It is thought a planning application will be submitted early next year after the council has revealed areas for development in the new Local Plan.

Mr Dolan said:

"In addition to the meeting, I hope as many people as possible will visit our website and read what is actually proposed rather than rely on the uninformed urban myths that are starting to spread on this topic."

HB Gazette 20th Oct 2011

Wrong size, wrong place

The amount of traffic it will generate on our roads and infrastructure will be horrendous. It's too big a development, in the wrong place and I feel it's all about making profit for the developer.

Unfortunately Beltinge has been swallowed up by Herne Bay, we have to make a stand and say enough is enough. More homes may be needed but, in the right place, the right size, with great thought about the surrounding community.

I moved here from London many years ago to get away from the noise, grime and being packed in cheek by jowel, well sadly Herne Bay is getting more and more like London. When I first moved to Beltinge we couldn't hear the traffic on the Thanet way, now it's virtually a constant hum.

Oh I want to say so much more but will wait for the meeting on 21st November. I really hope we can defeat this once and for all.

Charles 25th Oct 2011

Concerns: size, infrastructure, traffic...

My Concerns are:

1. A totally disproportionate development. 1 - 200 units might be acceptable but 1,000 is ridiculous.
2. The village of Beltinge and its already strained infrastructure would be overwhelmed by such a development to the detriment of the quality of life of existing residents.
3. The network of residential roads are not suitable for through traffic and Reculver Road is already at its limits and has little potential for improvement.
4. Residents here do not want such a development. I have chatted widely with friends and neighbours and have not found one who would welcome such a large influx.
5. If the authorities insist on new building, let them designate a dedicated site and build a new town. As it is they squeeze ever more buildings on less and less land to produce ghettos of the future and destroy precious rural environments in the process. Wouldn't it be wonderful quirk of our democracy if, for once, the will of the people won through against vested interest and greed.

Keith 24th Oct 2011