Providing you with regular updates on Anaerobic Waste, Shepway Housing, Lorry Parks and Wind farms affecting our village and community.
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Friday, 31 December 2010
Wind farms aren't just a blight, they're a folly
View from your window could win protection
Amazed at the sheer cheek of KCC
Dear Mr.Brazier, I am amazed to see that KCC are now in the process of consulting people for their views on the future program for the above. The web site says your views are important and this is the Big Society in action. I am amazed at the sheer cheek of KCC for just as recently as 15th.March at the Planning Committee meeting to determine the application for Otterpool Quarry the views of the 96% of the villagers of Sellindge who signed a petition against this site were totally ignored. As were the objections of the Parish Council, all adjoining Parish Councils, Shepway District Council, even Susan Carey our Kent County Cllr, together with Damian Collins our M.P. Also three members of the Committee were asleep for the duration of the meeting and woke up in time to vote against our wishes. THE SHEER CHEEK OF KENT COUNTY COUNCIL IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT ABOUT A RETHINK ON THE DECISION THEREFORE AND LET THE BIG SOCIETY BE HEARD IN RETROSPECT BY OVERTURNING THE DECISION AND LET DEMOCRACY PREVAIL. HOW TWO FACED CAN YOU GET?????
Urban Initiatives Questionnaire – return FREEPOST this Bank Holiday weekend
- The lack of a village centre or heart
- The physical and social disconnection between various areas of the village
- Improvements the residents would like to see to improve the quality and safety of the A20 such as crossing points and traffic calming
- Print the questionnaire (black and white) by clicking on the link at the top of the 2nd coloured section down in the right-hand column
- Complete in pen, and then
- Put in the post using the FREEPOST address (or if you prefer using a first class stamp)
To return to here, after clicking on the links in the right hand column, just click on the back arrow at the top left of the page.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Sellindge want homes to centre on Village Green
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Sellindge Future - Meeting 10th/11th December - Exhibition Boards
At the exhibition, they presented their findings to date via 6 exhibition boards.
"Each of the 6 boards can be found by going directly to that board's link within the 2nd coloured Section in the right-hand column entitled "Sellindge Future - Meeting 10th/11th December - Exhibition Boards".
Once you have finished viewing each of the 'Boards' just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here, the "Home Page" and then click on the next Exhibition Board link, and so on.
A copy of these boards and all other information can be found via Urban Initiatives' website for the future of Sellindge, found in the 'Recent Updates' section on the right - 6th coloured bar down, 6th item down within that.
We can vote for one of two proposals or, instead, we can tell them we do not want any change or provide a further option. Whatever we decide to do, crucial planning developments, which will radically change our village permanently, will all be determined during the next two months.
This is our opportunity to provide our views. Questionnaires must be returned by 7th January 2011.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Sellindge Future - a public exhibition - Friday 10th pm and Saturday 11th December - Village Hall
- the date and times of the exhibition at Sellindge Village Hall
- the Process so far
- what is the Future about? and
- gives you the opportunity to have your say
Once you have finished viewing the 4 pages just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here, the "Home Page".
Sellindge Village News December - Sellindge and District Residents Association
Sellindge and District Residents Association
KCC are going to list the Countrystyle Application to turn Otterpool Quarry into a huge Waste Treatment and Anaerobic Digester site on 20th January 2011 at County Hall Maidstone. This means much preparation in December and early January. Urban Initiatives, the planning consultants who Shepway DC have appointed to reshape our village, are going to present their findings in the Village Community Hall on the 10th (pm) and 11th December. We can vote for one of two proposals or, instead, we can tell them we do not want any change. Whatever we decide to do, crucial planning developments, which will radically change our village permanently, will all be determined during the next two months.
Here in Sellindge most villagers have a real sense of responsibility and a concern for future generations to come, as is clear from the response to our Questionnaire. Completed Questionnaire forms are still arriving but provisional results indicate a huge majority – some 85% - for establishing a new Village Green opposite the Post Office and Co-op in the field that once, was our common land until the Reverend Champney with others ‘enclosed’ it in the early 19th century. Another huge majority – a mega 95% - have voted for keeping our open spaces and existing views between houses. After all, this is the character of our village. Oh yes, and many many thanks to the anonymous person who sent me a suspicious bundle of Questionnaires all voting against the Village Green idea, yet un-typically not one name appears on them – anyway we are honest and we have included them in the statistics. Were these suspicious Questionnaires not included then the percentage of villagers voting positively for a village green would be over 90%. In short, while some of us are prepared to accept limited change towards a real improvement in the village – only the land owners and their associates appear to think that selling large chunks of their land for mega development, where ever it is, will make us a more beautiful and safer village. No surprise there then. Many thanks to all who have completed the Questionnaire and, to those who have just not got round to it, please do so. We shall reply to all messages sent to us although there are so many, it may take a while.
It continues to amaze me that serious consideration is being given to a proposal to build a large industrial site for the purpose of processing dangerous waste – it really is a danger to water, air and earth, let alone to people – right in between three villages all regarded as major areas for housing development and population growth. This dreadful proposal could have been halted by the Environment Agency. Their duty is to protect the Environment so as to protect us here in Sellindge, Lympne and Stanford. They are failing to do so. Julie and Patrick Breen who run the Airport Café are just 50 metres from the site and directly opposite the entrance so that everyone of the 170 HGV’s entering and leaving the Quarry each day will be belching fumes and filth over anyone still brave enough to eat there. Julie serves up to 300 customers each day and her family have run that Café for over 70 years. Surely, the Environment Agency have a duty to protect the Breens and their Café along with the rest of us?
Ronald Lello – Chairman Sellindge Residents Association
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Shepway Consultants - exhibition of Sellindge plans - 10th/11th December - for consultation - Village Hall
If we want things like a Village Green then now is the time to shout loudly!! What is decided during the coming days will affect this Village for generations to come. You can still make your voices heard and influence the future via Shepway's LDF. In this way, we can influence what will happen. We need to make sure they listen to OUR views - please return your questionnaire now.
Why the urgency? We need to inform Urban Initiatives of the local views so Urban Initiatives take these into account when presenting ‘the preferred option’ to the Village, at the Village Hall, on Friday pm 10th and all day Saturday 11th December for consultation. Urban Initiatives and Sellindge need you to be there to give your views on their plans!!
To obtain blank questionnaires for you, your household and your neighbours, view the 5th coloured Section "Recent Updates" in the right-hand column, clicking on the 5th link down and print the blank form. Once completed by hand, please just return them to Potten Farm or the Co-op.
If it is easier, send an email to:
simply providing the answers to all the questions in the following way, for example:
Q1 - Sellindge or Other
Q2 - yes, no or don't know
etc
Please keep them coming - we need all your local views!!
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Unique deal to collect all our rubbish, including food waste
In Summary, a deal between Shepway District Council and Dover District Council will mean household waste in both areas is collected by a single contractor - Veolia - in a 10 year agreement. They will be responsible for the taking and disposal of rubbish collections including the recycling of plastic and other materials, and street cleaning. It will also manage garden waste and will continue to take it to be composted at a Capel-le-Ferne farm. This officially starts in January next year and the new collection services are expected to be up and running by the middle of 2011.
It is estimated the new arrangement will save SDC over £700,000 and DDC over £200,000. Councillor Rory Love, SDC cabinet member for strategic services said "This is a ground breaking scheme. ..... We held a survey and asked the general public what changes they wanted and we've responded"
This will include a weekly food waste collection.
Note - click on the image below to increase its size, so you can read the article, and then use your mouse to see the rest of the article. Once you have finished, click on the back arrow in the top left of the screen to return to here.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Questionnaire 2 replies - please keep them coming
To obtain blank questionnaires for you, your household and your neighbours, view the 5th coloured Section "Recent Updates" in the right-hand column, clicking on the 5th link down and then print the blank form. Once completed by hand, please just return them to Potten Farm or the Co-op.
If it is easier, send an email to:
simply providing the answers to all the questions in the following way, for example:
Q1 - Sellindge or Other
Q2 - yes, no or don't know
etc
Please keep them coming - we need all your local views!!
Friday, 5 November 2010
*** Questionnaire 2 - Our Village - Urgent ***
This is so we can present a strong and even unchallengeable picture of what the Village wants to our MP Damian Collins and the Chief Executive of Shepway on Friday 12th November and to Urban Initiatives the following Monday.
At the end of the Village meeting on Tuesday 26th October, 7.30pm, where the latest threats that would change our Village forever were discussed! a questionnaire was handed out to all.
To print your (or additional copies for your neighbours), just click on "'Questionnaire 2 - Our Village'" 4th item down of the 'Recent Updates' section on the right (4th coloured bar down). Once you have finished please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here.
If its easier for you, please email your answers to simply providing the answers to all the questions in the following way, for example:
Q1 - Sellindge or Other
Q2 - yes, no or don't know
etc
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Sellindge Newsletter - November 2010
Despite it being a cold, wet and windy night on Tuesday October 26th, nearly 100 people attended the joint Parish Council / Residents Association meeting in the School Hall. Councillor Baxter started the evening by explaining the background history and then moved on to how the Local Development Framework (LDF) works.
This was followed by Ronald Lello of the Residents Association who spoke about the Lorry Park and Otterpool Quarry proposals as well as the current activity in the village resulting from the work of Shepway DC and their consultants Urban Initiatives. Bob Edden of the Residents Association explained the more technical issues including the proposal for a village green opposite the Co-op. This was followed by a lively Q and A session.
The one thing that is most important is that everyone gets involved - you must give your own views. The Residents Association have made a new and simplified questionnaire (see right-hand column, 5th coloured section down, 'Recent Updates'. Just click on the link 'Questionnaire 2 - Our Village', print the 1-page questionnaire. Click on the back arrow at the top left of the screen to return to here.)
Please fill it in. We have enclosed a copy of this questionnaire. If you have already filled one in please give it to another member of your household who has not yet done so. We need to know what each one of us thinks. Return the completed Questionaire forms to the Co-op or the Potten Farm Shop.
It is of the utmost importance that as many views as possible are received
Local Papers
For the week November 3rd there are articles as follows:
1) yourshepway - cover page, continued to page 3
2) yourashford - bottom of page 2
These links have features so you can zoom in to read the articles more easily.
Once you have finished viewing please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here, the "Home Page".
Local Newspapers reports of the meeting on 26th October
2) The front page of "yourshepway" (November 3rd) and page 3 where the article is continued, and
3) Page 2 article from "your ashford" (November 3rd)
These are both reports following the public meeting held at the local school on Tuesday 26th October.
Just click on each link to see the articles
((Note - click on the image to increase its size so its easier to read, once read then click on the back arrow in the top left of the screen to return.)
Once you have finished just click on the 'home' page link at the top of the right hand column to return or the back arrow again to return to here.
Urban Initiatives / Shepway DC Consultants
In the fast lane at the moment is Shepway DC and their appointed planning consultants, Urban Initiatives, who are here to suggest how the development of housing, employment and other services in Sellindge can meet the needs of our time. They have visited us three times. They walked a little way around the village, talked to the land owners in a private meeting and held two meetings that were open to invited residents. They appear to be making a real effort to understand how the village works and what might improve it and they have promised to consult the village opinion – that is you and me. Then they will be developing their recommendations which they will bring here for village discussion before finally submitting them to Shepway DC in January 2011.
It is very important, it is vital, to tell them what you think on their website
questionnaire.
A link to the Consultants website re the future of Sellindge can be found at the top of the 'Recent Updates' Section in the right-hand column, and also in the Useful websites Section below the 'Contacts' Section in the right-hand column.
Once you have finished viewing please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here, the "Home Page".
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Contact Sellindge and District Residents Association
2nd colour bar - 'Email your Question or Comment'
3rd coloured bar - 'Contact Us' with your email address
Thursday, 7 October 2010
The Sellindge Future website
Third entry down of the 'Recent Updates' section on the right (4th coloured bar down) you will find a link toThe Sellindge Future website.
This has been set up to keep people up to date on progress on the Sellindge Masterplan. The website has been independently established by Urban Initiatives to create a place where villagers can:
1) get the latest documents
2) keep up to date with information emerging from Village Team Workshops
3) leave their comments and complete questionnaires on the emerging plans
4) see presentations and read minutes from Village Team meetings
5) find out about forthcoming consultation events
6) get in touch with the masterplan team at Urban Initiatives
once you have finished viewing please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Urgent - Sellindge meeting - Tuesday 26th October 2010
There is a Village meeting at Sellindge School on Tuesday 26th October - 7.30pm - to discuss the latest threats that would change our Village forever!
To see a copy of the Poster, click on "'Sellindge - Our Future' Poster for the meeting" in the 'Recent Updates' section on the right (4th coloured bar down).
once you have finished please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here.
See you all Tuesday 26th October at the School - 7.30pm.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Objections to the Proposal
- They would dominate and adversely affect the landscape character of the area - particularly its open rural character.
- They would adversely affect the historic landscape setting by introducing massive, intrusive, industrial forms out of scale and out of keeping with historic buildings, field patterns and views.
- The construction / commissioning phase would last approx. 12 months and would involve deliveries of huge quantities of ready-mixed concrete for the foundations - potentially 25-30 truck deliveries a day - as well as larger vehicles delivering turbine sections.
- The proposed development would "open up" the surrounding area to further wind farm development - to the detriment of its landscape and historic rural character.
- The underlying motive for building them is primarily to enable Ecotricity to take advantage of the exceptional levels of subsidy currently available to wind farm developers.
- In view of the profits to be made on the back of the currently available subsidies, we believe that the environmental advantages of the proposed wind farm may be overstated.
- They would create noise by day and night, thereby reducing the peaceful character of the area to the detriment of local residents - with possible adverse health implications
- There are potential health and safety risks for turbines collapsing
- They will have adversely effects on birdlife, bats and may also affect radio and mobile phones.
- There are potential problems due to sunlight flickering on the rotating blades.
- They would have no significant economic benefit to the local economy.
- They will adversely affect the amenity value and hence prices and saleability of local houses.
As well as the visual impact there are significant concerns with regard to the ecology and the effect on the wildlife in the area. Particular concerns about bats and bird life have been raised.
academics and the European Commission have all raised similar concerns."
How to Object
(The visual impact and noise should be considered together as both will impact simultaneously and the combined effect will be overwhelming)
Monday, 6 September 2010
Our Villages - The Future - Your Views
In the Recent Updates' section, near the top of the column on the right, you will find a link to the 'Sellindge and District Residents Association Survey'.
Just click on the link to view and/or print the 2 page survey. Unfortunately, you cannot update the survey directly so once you have finished viewing please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here.
Many of you will have received a copy of the survey through your letterbox and returned it already. If it more convenient, you are welcome to return the survey to Dave Motley. 10 Swan Lane, Sellindge, TN25 6EP. However, if it is not easy to return the survey by hand, please instead send an email to:
simply providing the answers to all the questions in the following way, for example:
Q1 - Westenhanger
Q2 - No
Q3 - a) Yes, b) Don't know, c) No, d) No
etc. up to and including Question 11 and optionally your name/address
or
complete a paper copy of the survey by pen, scan and attach it to an email to the email address above.
Thank you for your time.
Kent On Sunday - Letter week ending 5 September 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Villages grab land
Shepway council is drawing up its local development framework for planning. This document includes the building of up to 1,000 houses in Sellindge, 400 in Lympne and 400 in Westenhanger.
This will effectively urbanise the whole area and overwhelm the communities and character of the villages.
Shepway is now consulting on this with regards to what developments should be imposed upon us. Current Government policy is "to reward local councils for building more homes. .. by allowing them to keep more of the proceeds of council tax and business ratesfrom new development". I imagine Shepway council will be falling over backwards to grant planning permission to any large developments proposed in an effort to fill the councils coffers.
Planning for development should be primarily concerned with meeting the needs of communities and infrastructure, not with meeting the financial interests of developers and the finances of the planning authority.
Shepway had the ability to effectively write itself a large blank cheque at the expense of rural communities. The planning applications are already rolling in at Westenhanger and Lympne.
Planners and developers seem to be eyeing up the green fields surrounding our villages like a hungry man eyeing up a cake. What is it to be Shepway? Profits or people?
Penny Knight, Sellindge.
Friday, 4 June 2010
Detailed Report Objecting to Waste Development Proposals at Otterpool Quarry, Sellindge
Detailed Report
Objecting to waste Development Proposals at Otterpool Quarry, Sellindge
Report presenting detailed OBJECTIONS
by
Sellindge and District Resident's Association
to the Proposal submitted by
Countrystyle Recycling Ltd
for the
Construction and Operation of a
Materials Recycling Facility and
Anaerobic Digestion Plant
at
Otterpool Quarry, Sellindge, Kent.
Just click on the link to see the report, including many wonderful photos of the naturally beautiful, picturesque countryside in and around Sellindge.
Once you have finished, just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
KCC Meeting at Lympne 8th February 2010
Kentish Express 11/02/10 - KCC meeting in Lympne on Monday 8th February
Just click on the link to see the article at the top of page 14, including a photo.
(Note - click on the image to increase its size to more easily read the print, once read then click on the back arrow in the top left of the screen to return.
Once you have finished just click on the 'home' page link at the top of the right hand column to return or the back arrow again to return to here.
Change to Recent Updates Section
Monday, 8 February 2010
8th February 2010 - KCC Meeting - be there! - URGENT
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Radio Kent Interview - Monday 8th february 2010
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Letter to KCC from Sellindge and District Residents Association
Yours Sincerely
Ronald S Lello Chairman
On behalf of Sellindge and District Residents Association
(after reading the letter, please just click on the 'Home page' link or on the back arrow in the top left of the screen to return to this page)
Saturday, 30 January 2010
KCC reveals the 5 options for the Lorry Park
KCC reveals the 5 options for the proposed Lorry Park
Just click on the link to see the top and lower parts of page 15.
Once you have finished just click on the 'home' page link at the top of the right hand column to return to here.
Monday, 25 January 2010
GETTING REAL WITH JUSTICE - extract from page 3 of the Janaury Sellindge Newsletter
We might wonder, what, in society, is ‘due’ to us and what we are ‘due’ to offer society. It has been said that the most important thing due to us is the freedom to discover who and what we are: anything that impedes that, impedes the heart of Justice. Closer to ground level, I think each one of us is due the rays of the sun, clean air, rain and pure water, and fresh unpolluted earth.
Enter Otterpool Lane Quarry site and the proposal of Countrystyle Ltd to build a Waste Treatment Processing Plant there. Various agencies exist to maintain our just dues of sunshine, air, rain and earth, and one of them is the Environment Agency. They recommend that Anaerobic Digestion and the material that has been digested should not be processed or stored less than 250 metres from any habitation where food is being prepared. In Germany and America, similar agencies are recommending best practice to be that habitations and food processing areas should be at least 500 metres away from waste treatment processing.
Now, dead opposite the proposed treatment site at Otterpool Lane, not more than 50 metres away from the Quarry gate, is a well known food processing site in a very human habitation called ‘The Airport Café’. It has been trading for over 40 years and as we all know, it is a café that serves among many other good things, a superb breakfast. And we know the owners Patrick and Julie Breen have worked hard to develop their business. I would say that this hardworking couple pay their dues to our society by providing a good service and continuing to develop their catering standards. Surely they deserve sunshine, clean air, clean water and unpolluted earth. Others too, have homes nearby this proposed site – for a start those living in Newingreen, Stanford and Lympne and 1,300 of us living in Sellindge. And we would all like what is justly due to us. We don’t even want the danger or a possibility of sunshine being obscured by waste processing gases and odours, or air borne diseases, or poisoned water or fouled land. What we want is Justice. And as the flood picture in the January Sellindge Newsletter show, Sellindge is regularly subject to extreme weather conditions that would sweep the waste treatment poisons straight across the A20 right into the Airport Café, into the fields and into the ditches that lead straight to the river Stour. As my Grandchildren would say “Come on Countrystyle – get real!”.
A further meeting has been organised by Kent County Council to be held at Lympne Village Hall on 8th February at 7.00pm (KCC delayed their visit on 13th January due to the snow as they wanted to personally see the site). Please may the young and not so young make every effort to be there even if for a short time. Let us convey to Countrystyle Ltd. our thoughts as to where to stuff their fetid waste and let us reasonably suggest to KCC that waste treatment is best processed far away from human habitations. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Ronald Lello – Chairman Sellindge and District Residents Association
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Your Shepway - 13th January Meeting - Article - Read on
On page 3, there is an article covering the meeting at the Village Hall on 13th January.
To read the article
1) Click on the link in the right hand column
2) Click on 'Next at the bottom of the screen in the centre
3) Click on the article at the top of page 3 to 'zoom in'
4) To move the page around on your screen you can either hold the left mouse
cursor whilst dragging the page or use the arrows at the side and
top of the page.
Once you have finished just click the back arrow in the top left of the screen to return back to this page.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Notes from the 13th Janaury 2010 meeting held at Sellindge Village Hall
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Radio Kent - 16 November 2010 - Sellindge
You can listen to the whole show or go directly to where the Sellindge issues are discussed:
1) near the beginning at 2 minutes and 41 seconds in, and
2) at 41 minutes and 8 seconds in
(please let me know if there are other times and I will include these)
You can move the bar below the large white rectangle to these point to just listen from these points.
Once you have finished listening please just click on the back arrow at the top left of your screen to return to here, the "Home Page".
Disclaimer
The articles contained in this website are for general informational purposes only and have been provided by various sources including the public, newspaper content and local bodies. These articles are then presented by Sellindge & District Residents Association on this website, and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
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