Agenda Monday 10th June 2013
Meeting Venue The Granary, Penstock Hall Farm, Canterbury Road, East Brabourne, Ashford, Kent TN25 5LL
“Forum Action” sections suggest potential actions to help focus conversation but are not exclusive. “DropBox” Refers to documents that are uploaded to the KCAF DropBox for access by members. Necessary documents will also be available for the public at the KCAF webpage.
Pre-meeting: none
MEETING START
13.45 hrs
Welcome and Apologies Introduction of guests and members of the public Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising
UPDATES on previous activities
1. Capel Battery Consultation – Applicant appealed against decision; confirmed KCAF response to PINS. 2. Engagement with Highways – no response from Highways; pursue contact; catalogue of UCR issues. 3. Coastal Access second phase (Folkestone to Camber) – meeting with NE on Weds 12th June; attendees. 4. Waterbrook Park (Cheeseman’s Green) development, Ashford – letter sent to Planning 5. SE LAF Conference attendance summary notes; National LAF Conference notes available 6. Forum membership and administration
DISCUSSION ITEMS CONSULTATIONS (14.00 hrs)
1 CAIP Review Colin Finch/David Smith
Consultation is now in progress. KCAF to review and respond on CAIP proposals for next 5 years.
Online http://www.kent.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/countryside_access.aspx
DropBox Consultation document
Forum Action - review document and projects list, agree KCAF response at meeting
Consultation Deadline – 26th June 2013
Co-ordinator -
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2 Dog Control Orders, Dover District Council
Draft Consultation document available for Forum discussion and comment at meeting (Andrzej Kluczynski, Environmental Crime Team Leader, Dover District Council will be attending).
Online –
DropBox Consultation document (see folder - Consultations/Dog Control Orders)
Forum Action – feedback required on access section
Consultation Deadline – ? (Consultation period summer 2013)
Co-ordinator
3. AONB Management Plan Review Nick Johanssen (Kent Downs AONB)
Update of the current Management Plan for the Kent Downs AONB for the next 7 years – pre- consultation process, status and draft.
Online - http://www.kentdowns.org.uk/guidance-management-and-advice/management-plan
DropBox Pre-Consultation document
Forum Action – feedback required on access section
Consultation Deadline – ? (Consultation period summer/autumn 2013)
4. Coastal Access Consultation – second phase (Folkestone to Dungeness/Camber)
Online www.naturalengland.org.uk/coastalaccess
Forum Action - Meeting in Natural England offices Ashford Weds 12th June to discuss draft route and be given update on changes to first section (Ramsgate to Folkestone).
Consultation Deadline – ? (Consultation period autumn 2013)
5 Lower Thames Crossing
Consultation on 3 options for proposed Lower Thames Crossing by Thames Estuary Partnership
Online https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/lower-thames- crossing.
Forum Action - Decision on whether to respond and nature of response
Consultation Deadline – 16th July 2013
REQUESTS FOR FORUM INPUT (15.00 hrs)
5. KCC East Kent Paths for Communities Projects (P4C) Colin Finch
5.1 Elham Valley disused railway Peene to Lyminge (Colin/Anne/Chris) 2
Proposal to establish a riding, cycling and walking route along the disused Elham Valley Railway track between Peene and Lyminge villages providing a safe off road route between the villages of Newington, Peene, Etchinghill and Lyminge.
DropBox Outline map and pictures of the route.
Forum Action - Identify access/exit point(s) Etchinghill/Lyminge end; Anne and Chris to site visit initially; make personal contact with landowners through Colin. KCAF letter of support.
Co-ordinator(s) Anne Beecham, Chris Jelly
6. KCC West Kent CAIP projects, (Colin Finch standing in for David Smith)
6.1 Medway Valley path
DropBox Briefing documents from David
Forum action Letter of support - when requested
Co-ordinator
7. External Organisations and Members of the Public,
None this meeting. (Possible future support needed for Hornstreet bridleway creation, Hythe)
FORUM INITIATIVES (15.20 hrs)
8. Dogs in the countryside
The Forum has identified both the benefits and problems arising from dogs in the countryside and proposes to discuss the topic with a view to providing guidance notes for and facilitating communication and liaison between those who may be involved. This could include local dog walkers, visitors and holiday makers with dogs, landowners/managers, livestock owners, wildlife organisations, Parish Councils and Local Authorities.
DropBox Draft note (compiled by Chris) Some thoughts on dogs, families, activities, management (Anne) Managing Dogs with Walkers at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay NNR Dog Control Orders DDC
Forum Action Discuss draft note compiled by Chris; (restrictions on dogs, dogs and families, information dissemination)
Co-ordinator Chris Jelly
9. Engagement with Highways
Establish positive relationship with Highways to identify areas of benefit for improving countryside access. This could include identification and recording of Unclassified Country Roads (UCR), maintenance of UCRs for public use; public access to records, improving road safety for vulnerable users, access to verges, signage etc. 3
Forum Action Catalogue of examples Achieve response from KHS – discuss options Produce KCAF guidance/position note?
DropBox Draft catalogue of examples
Co-ordinator Richard Dickenson
OTHER MATTERS (15.50 – 16.00 hrs)
10 Conferences, Training, Site visits
11 AOB – KCC news, Natural England news, KCAF members’ comments/suggestions
Next meeting Monday 9th September 2013 at 1.45pm
Venue Brockhill Country Park, Sandling Road, Saltwood, Kent CT21 4HL (to be confirmed)
Theme Access for those with Disabilities – Country Parks
Guest Mike Bishop (KCC)
Pre-meeting View provision for disabilities and consider potential at Brockhill – tbc (meet at * )
Future Agenda items - KCAF Future Work Programme candidates Landowner/land Manager access perspectives Forum Membership - secondment option for specific issues? Non Definitive Map publicly used routes Securing better access for equestrians (earlier initiative) Long distance multi-user trail
Meeting close THANK YOU FOR COMING!
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