From: Graham Forge
Date: Thursday26May2011 20:25:17 BST
Subject: Poor Planning Decision by KCC
WESTENHANGER CASTLE AND MEDIAEVAL BARNS.
The castle at Westenhanger was purchased by our family company G. Forge Limited in 1996 as a viable project for restoration. It is a fourteenth century castle with sixteenth century outbuildings but originates from a period when it was occupied as a fortress during the Saxon times. The importance of this area is recognised by English Heritage in listing the house as Grade 1 and the area around as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
After discussions with E H we entered into agreements for a prolonged programme of phased repairs and restorations which would be based on sharing costs designed to allow public entry, tourism and to use as a Weddings venue. It would be disingenuous to believe that we would not be affected by the Council's decision to allow a Waste Disposal Plant to be built within 700 yards distant. Would the same consent be passed if it were upwind of Leeds Castle? I think not, yet the historic background at Westenhanger is of far greater importance.
We shall continue to gather statistics concerning the affect on our business .
Graham Forge
The castle at Westenhanger was purchased by our family company G. Forge Limited in 1996 as a viable project for restoration. It is a fourteenth century castle with sixteenth century outbuildings but originates from a period when it was occupied as a fortress during the Saxon times. The importance of this area is recognised by English Heritage in listing the house as Grade 1 and the area around as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
After discussions with E H we entered into agreements for a prolonged programme of phased repairs and restorations which would be based on sharing costs designed to allow public entry, tourism and to use as a Weddings venue. It would be disingenuous to believe that we would not be affected by the Council's decision to allow a Waste Disposal Plant to be built within 700 yards distant. Would the same consent be passed if it were upwind of Leeds Castle? I think not, yet the historic background at Westenhanger is of far greater importance.
We shall continue to gather statistics concerning the affect on our business .
Graham Forge
