Community Services, Culture & Leisure Evidence Paper

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

COMMUNITY SERVICES, CULTURE & LEISURE EVIDENCE PAPER

Introduction

Around 90% of the population of Boughton Aluph and Eastwell parishes reside on the edge of the Ashford urban area with the remaining 10% residing in Boughton Lees and smaller hamlets within the rural part of the parishes. Conversely, the parishes are predominantly rural with approximately 90% (by area) countryside with the remaining 10% being a well-developed, residential and employment suburb of Ashford to the south west of the parishes – the Eureka/Goat Lees area. The knock-on effect of this population distribution is that the facilities and services are concentrated in the Goat Lees area. Also, since Eureka Park in an employment area, daily employees use the facilities in this area.

The only school and the only shops in the parishes are found at Goat Lees. Similarly, the only medical facilities and dental practices within the parishes are found in the Eureka parade. Two community halls are found in this area – Goat Lees Community Hall and Sandyacres Sports and Social Club which serves as a sporting hub. The iron room serves the residents of Boughton Lees. Of the two public houses found in the parishes, one is located within the Eureka parade of shops - The Pheasant, the other on the Green at Boughton Lees -The Flying Horse Inn.

The Goat Lees development abuts the Kennington area to the north and west and the Eureka leisure complex and Ashford Golf Course to the south. It lies on the Ashford rural/urban boundary. As a consequence, community facilities and services are used by many people outside of the parishes. Similarly, residents utilise service and leisure facilities outside the parishes, particularly within the Ashford urban area e.g. the cinema and restaurant/fast food outlet at Eureka is in close proximity to the boundary of Boughton Aluph parish. Wye village centre offers facilities such as restaurants, pubs, schools, medical and sporting facilities that are utilised by residents.

The proposed Eureka development (a strategic site (S20) in the emerging ABC Local Plan 2030) will have a profound effect on the facilities and services within the parishes. An analysis of these potential effects is outlined in this document. The effects will be felt across the parishes, although residents within the Goat Lees area will feel the effects of this development most acutely.

Present Amenities in the Parishes

A. Sport and Leisure (see map)

1. Sandyacres Sports and Social Club, Sandyhurst Lane Sandyacres functions as both a sports and social club facility and a community centre. It has football and rugby playing fields, tennis courts (out of use). Football and rugby league teams play there. Ashford Women’s football used to play there but have now moved elsewhere. The tennis courts are dilapidated. They hold meetings for the Tractor Club and Bikers’ Club and various fitness classes. Important venue for annual activities associated with running and football tournaments. It is available for hire and used as a venue for stage/music/entertainment. It is popular as a venue for wedding receptions.

Sandyacres is designated as a Sports and Recreation Hub in Ashford Borough Council’s Open Space Strategy and the Ashford Local Plan. As, albeit limited, development may be required in association with the sports pitches (such as larger improved changing rooms), a Local Green Space designation which prevented development would not be appropriate. The Neighbourhood Plan designates this site as a Sports Hub which should be retained and enhanced for the provision of sports pitches for community use.

2. Goat Lees Youth Play Space, Trinity Road Adjacent to existing play area and community hall, opened in April 2014. Basket swing, ball wall, outdoor 1

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN fitness equipment. Recent improvements made to the toddler and junior area. Approximately two years ago installed equipment for ‘young people’. No further work planned on this space. Ward Cllr Michael is looking into the possibility of further opportunities on other sites within the area but no other recreational development is anticipated at this time. Goat Lees Youth Club.

The play area has been designated as an important Local Green Space. See the Important Local Green Space Assessment paper.

The map below shows the location of the sports and leisure facilities within the parishes. Also, two areas outside the parishes that are utilised regularly by residents, Eureka leisure complex to the south and Wye recreational facilities to the east.

3. Goat Lees Informal Recreational Area Informal playing area between Guernsey Way and Rothbrook Drive, on which the Parish Council installed a football goalpost. It has been assessed as an important Local Green Space, although it is subject to flooding during winter months. See the Local Green Space Assessment paper.

4. Boughton and Eastwell Cricket Club, Village Green, Boughton Lees The village green has seen cricket played over 200 years. The current players, called the Bluecaps, play in the Kent Regional League Division 1A and an experimental second XI in Division 2C. There are longstanding friendly fixtures and weekend matches as well as an annual cricket week. In addition to the senior sides

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN there is a development programme which currently boasts over 40 members aged 5-15. In 2015 there were representative teams in the Ashford & District Junior League at U17, U13 and U11 and the 2014 U15 ‘A’ side finishing as overall district champions. The club welcomes new members and has training evenings throughout the summer months on Tuesday evenings.

The village green at Boughton Lees has been assessed as an important Local Green Space. See the Important Local Green Space Assessment paper.

5. Eastwell Manor Hotel Health Club, a Champneys Spa Hotel The hotel and spa was acquired by Champneys in 2017 and is currently undergoing refurbishment and development. Membership required, facilities available for hotel guests. The Pavilion leisure and spa – 20m heated pool, therapy pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, showers. Gymnasium – Technogym equipment. 20m outside pool, 9-hole golf course, Petanque. Membership of the club offers numerous exercise classes such as Aqua Aerobics, Body balance, Pilates and yoga.

6. Bannatyne Health Club, Eureka Leisure (outside of, but close to the southern boundary of the Boughton Aluph parish) Open every day. 20m heated swimming pool, cafe, cardiovascular machines, weights, training zone, resistance machines, retail shop, sauna, spa and spa pool, spinning studio, steam room, sunbeds. Classes: Aqua Aerobics, Body balance, Body blast, Body pump, Dancercise, LBT, On the ball, Pilates, Power Circuits, Power stretch, Step, Stretch ‘n’ tone, Triple Challenge, Yoga, Young at Heart (for older exercisers), Zumba. Classes change periodically.

7. Eastwell Lake Private use only for shooting and fishing activities. No public access.

8. Eastwell Park Estate The grounds are accessible via a network of public footpaths including the Pilgrims Way/North Downs Way. Private use by payment only for pheasant shooting and other rural pursuits including off-roading.

9. Eureka Lake (Sandyacre Farm Lake) Fishing via license only – very popular.

10. King’s Wood King’s Wood is a large ancient forest. Its southern tip lies in Boughton Aluph and Eastwell parishes but much of the woodland lies in the adjacent parish of Challock. It is used widely for outdoor activities such as cross country running, woodland pursuits and rambling. It also has a woodland sculptural trail.

11. Footpath, cycle paths and bridleways across the parishes These facilities are widely used and valued by residents. These are found across the parishes and are noted in detail in the Environment and Heritage and Transport evidence papers.

Neighbourhood Plan Survey Responses on Sports and Leisure Services The household survey held in 2016 revealed that residents valued the recreational and leisure activities highly and would seek to protect and enhance these facilities. In answer to survey question 5c (below), 95% of those surveyed rated the Children’s Play Area, Goat Lees as important in terms of protecting from future development. (85% providing a rating of 5 and 10% a rating of 4) 90% of respondents stated The Village Green, Boughton Lees and King’s Wood as important.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

92% of respondents indicated it was either important or very important to be able to walk from their home into the countryside. 88% walked in the countryside with over half (51%) of respondents use the footpaths within the parishes more than once a week. People commented that footpaths allow enable them to enjoy “a sense of place within the rural and historical landscape”

When asked if there are any other community or recreational facilities you would like to see in the parishes, 8 out of 47 comments referred to Cycling/ Biking. With regards to additional community or recreational facilities they would like to see in the parishes. Comments included; More cycle paths, Mountain bike course, a Velodrome, Safe cycle routes and cycling "through routes"

In answer to survey question 6f

B. Health facilities

1. GP Surgeries There are no GP surgeries located in the parishes. The closest GP surgeries are found in Wye or Bybrook, Ashford.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Wye Surgery, Oxenturn Rd, Wye – 5 GPs Patient Support Team comprising of healthcare assistants and community nurses. Provide physiotherapy, health visitors, midwives, psychotherapy, sonographer, dispensary. Provides private healthcare. Outpatient clinics: Audiology/Aural care, Colorectal, ENT, General Surgery Clinic, Minor Surgery Clinic, Asthma clinic, Child development, Blood tests, Diabetic nurse, ECG, Family Planning, Heart monitoring, Minor injuries, Ultrasound, Travel Clinic.

Limited availability for new patients. With further development occurring in Wye, patients from outside the parishes will find it more difficult to register here.

New Hayesbank Surgery, Cemetery Lane, Kennington – 8 GPs Wide ranging services on offer. Family planning clinic, Young Persons Clinic, Anticoagulant clinic. Children’s clinics, Counselling, Minor Ops, Healthwalks on various days (for 1 hour), alternative medicine.

The surgery recently expanded its facilities but is already having to limit the number of new patients and is concerned it may have to close its books.

2. Hospitals

There are no hospitals in the parishes. The nearest are located in the Willesborough area of Ashford

William Harvey Hospital, Willesborough – The William Harvey Hospital. It is one of the three main hospitals in the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust area. It is an acute hospital providing a range of emergency and elective services as well as comprehensive maternity, trauma, orthopaedic and paediatric and neonatal Intensive care services. It serves as the A&E unit for East Kent district. The hospital has a specialist cardiology unit undertaking angiography, angioplasty, a state of the art pathology analytical robotics laboratory that reports all East Kent’s General Practitioner (GP) activity and a robotic pharmacy facility. A single Head and Neck Unit for east Kent has recently been established and includes centralised maxillofacial services with all specialist head and neck cancer surgery co-located on the site. William Harvey Hospital has a post graduate teaching centre and staff accommodation. There are also adult and elderly mental health services on site provided by Kent and Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust.

The hospital is under strain as it serves the Borough of Ashford as well as the wider east Kent area. It is likely that the pressure will become even greater as the planned development across the borough occurs with the resultant huge increase in population. www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/williamharvey

One Healthcare, a private hospital adjacent to the William Harvey Hospital, Willesborough This is a new hospital and was completed in 2017. It offers a range of treatments and payment schemes details of which can be found online at: https://www.onehealthcare.co.uk/ashford/treatments/treatments

Spencer Private Hospital is located within the Arundel Unit of the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. It is owned and operated by East Kent Medical Services Limited. It provides a range of specialist, general and cosmetic surgeries.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Map showing the position of the three local hospitals in Willesborough, Ashford.

3. Other Health Services and Veterinary Services

Health and Community Services based at Eureka Park:

Kent Community Health Customer Care Team – offers help, information and advice on health related issues relating to care and treatment to patients, carers and relatives. Will support and direct to appropriate services by working closely with healthcare professionals. Record any comments, concerns or compliments regarding NHS and advice if you wish to make a complaint.

Ashford Community Mental Health Team – provides services to adults of working age with moderate to severe mental health problems or needs. Would normally be referred by GP but also accept referrals from other agencies and professionals. Give advice, guidance and support to those with mental health needs.

Ashford Mental Health Centre – direct and indirect assessment and therapeutic work with individuals and groups. Consultation, supervision, mentoring, teaching, training. Adult mental health, art therapy, psychotherapy, Community Alcohol Service, Primary Care Psychological Therapies Service.

Ashford CMHT for Older People – provides a single point of entry to a number of mental health services to older adults and offer appropriate services including memory clinics for dementia, psychology services, day therapy services and outpatient clinics. Referrals made mainly through GPs and social services, but some teams accept self-referral.

Ashford Memory Assessment Service – referrals made via GP. Assessment, diagnosis, treatments available

Dentists: 1. Easy Smile Dental Clinic at Goat Lees / Eureka Place – the only dentist located within the parishes 2. Chopra & Associates, 225 Faversham Rd (Kennington) 3. Wye Dental Surgery, Little Chequers (Wye)

Residential Homes

None located within the parishes. The two residential homes closest to the parishes are The Brambles, Bramble Lane, Wye and The Grange, 2 The Street, Kennington.

Please see the Addendum for further information related to support for those with dementia, for their

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN carers, and for the elderly. Vets

1. Eureka Park – the only veterinary practice within the parishes 2. Wye Veterinary Surgery (Wye) 3. Barrow Hill veterinary surgery (Ashford town centre)

Neighbourhood Plan Survey Responses on Health Services The household survey held in 2016 revealed that residents were very concerned about the extra pressures the health services were under. 88% of survey respondents were concerned about the increased pressure on health services any new housing development would bring. Over three quarters (76%) of those surveyed rated a new GP Surgery as important for the parishes over the next 15 years.

C. Education

See also fuller details under the Eureka section later in this document.

Primary schools Goat Lees Primary School www.goatlees.kent.sch.uk. Opened 2013. Award-winning building design. Kent County Council tables for the current and projected capacity over the next 5 years (see appendix tables 2 and 3) indicate a critical lack of availability within Goat Lees primary school.

Secondary Schools No secondary schools are located within the parishes, however The Towers Secondary School abuts the border. The two grammar schools are found in Ashford town centre. The nearest schools are:  The Towers Academy, Faversham Road, co-ed, 1400 pupils + 400 in 6th form. New 6th form centre has planning permission. 01233 634171  The Highworth grammar school for girls, Quantock Drive, sixth form co-ed. 01233 624910  The Norton Knatchbull (boys grammar school), Hythe Road, sixth form co-ed, 01233 620045

Nursery  Busy Bees, Eureka Place  Towers Tiny Tots, preschool, after school and holiday provision located at Goat Lees Community Hall, 01233 647608

D. Other Amenities (see map below)

Community Halls 7

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

The parishes has three well-used community halls which are available to hire.  Iron Room, Boughton Lees, Faversham Road. Contact Mrs Brooks 01233 623639 Yoga Club, carpet bowls club, arts club, gardening club, table tennis club, WI, Parish Council meetings.  Goat Lees Community Hall, Trinity Road. Contact Rachel Young 01233 634171 Tiny Tots preschool, after school, holiday provision. Goat Lees Youth Club on Tuesday evenings. Parish Council meetings.  Sandyacres Sports and Social Club, Sandyhurst Lane. Football and rugby league teams play there. Meetings of the Tractor Club and Bikers’ Club and various fitness classes. Important venue for annual activities associated with running and football tournaments. Available for hire and used as a venue for stage/music/entertainment. Popular as venue for wedding receptions. Parish Council meetings. Contact 01233 627373, [email protected]

Map showing position of other amenities in the parishes

Key Churches Community centres Pubs Hotels and accommodation Shops 8

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Café/restaurant

Churches  Boughton Aluph, All Saints Church, Church Lane, Boughton Aluph. Grade I listed. Used in summer months.  Boughton Lees, St Christophers Church, Faversham Road. Grade II listed. Used in winter months. Small meeting room available to hire.  Boughton Lees, Baptist Church, Wye Road

Pubs  The Flying Horse Inn Boughton Lees, Wye Road. Designated as an Asset of Community Value, Grade II listed. Food served. Bed and breakfast accommodation. Camp site at rear.  The Pheasant, Goat Lees. Family focussed public house with restaurant, Eureka Place

Hotels, visitor accommodation and leisure facilities  Boughton Aluph, Stourview Cottage, White Hill, B&B, 01233 813821  Boughton Lees, Eastwell Manor Hotel and Spa, pools, gym, tennis, golf, shooting  Boughton Lees, The Flying Horse Inn, B&B  Boughton Lees, East Glebe, Faversham Road, Ashford TN25 4HS – offers Self Catering Bed and Breakfast and Holiday accommodation  Boughton Aluph, Warren Farm B&B, Faversham Road, TN25 4HW Plus a separate Holiday Cottage  Eureka Park, (just outside the Parishes) Travel Lodge, and Premier Inn.

Cultural services  Sandyacres Sports and Social Club, stage/music/entertainment  All Saints’ Church, Stour Music Festival, last 2 weekends in June. International early music festival.  Eastwell Manor, occasional plays including Shakespeare outdoors, music.  All Community halls can be hired for events.

Shops - Goat Lees, Eureka Place  Pharmacy, offers prescription deliveries  One Stop Shop, small supermarket  Coral bookmaker  Indian restaurant, café and fast food takeaway outlets

Cafes and Restaurants  Cinnamon Spice, Eureka parade  Catch, Fish & Chip shop, Eureka parade  Eureka Café, Eureka parade  Pizza Hut takeaway, Eureka parade  The Pheasant public house, Eureka parade  The Flying Horse Inn, Boughton Lees  Eastwell Manor and Pavilion restaurants, Boughton Lees

Allotments None within the parishes  Churchfield Way, Wye (outside of the parishes)

Free cash withdrawal facilities  One Stop store at Eureka Place, Goat Lees 9

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

 Co-op store in Kennington – outside of the parishes

A number of services are clustered together within the Eureka Place which provides a local focus for the area, an important opportunity for social interaction and enables more sustainable linked trips to a variety of services.

The Impact of the Planned Development at Eureka Park (Policy S20 in the Ashford Local Plan) on Services and Amenities in the Parishes

Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan 2030 seeks to create a new mixed-use development area at the Eureka site to the north-west of the town (S20). This involves the evolution of the land from an area allocated for solely B1 employment uses to create a new, high quality neighbourhood which can also take advantage of the nearby local centre and primary school. Promoting such mixed-use development in urban areas is fully supported by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (para 17.9).

Eureka Park Policy S20 states: This site is allocated for 375 dwellings and 20ha of employment land in the Submission Local Plan (see appendix). It is expected that completions will commence in 2019/20 and deliver 210 within the first 5 years.

Ashford Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2017 indicates that:  The year-on-year growth rate in Ashford has been considerably and consistently higher than the Kent, South East, or England growth rates. (ONS)  The 2017 SHMA evidence points to population growth (2011-31) of 23.7%, which is substantially higher than the projection across Kent (19.2%), the South East (16.2%) and England (14.6%). Indeed, it places Ashford as the 6th fastest growing area in the South East region (of 67 local authorities). Around two-thirds of the population growth is driven by net in-migration to the Borough.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) gives the average household size in the UK as 2.4 persons per household with mean household size in South East between 2.4 and 5.6 (ONS November 2017).

Given that the Eureka site plans for 375 dwellings this would equate to between 900 persons minimum to 2100 maximum. Since the Eureka site is planned for a high-quality/lower density housing it is reasonable to expect the number to be nearer the minimum of 900 to 1000 persons. This represents a substantial increase of the population within the Parishes and on the Goat Lees development in particularly, which will abut the site. This will put substantial pressures on local services and amenities within the area.

Similarly, with 20ha of employment land pressures will be felt in terms of local facilities.

Ashford Borough Council have stated that there will be no new facilities within the area, preferring off site facilities to be utilised. This will inevitably increase pressures on the facilities that are already in existence.

Policy S20 states: 4.236 The proximity of the local centre means that the development is not expected to provide similar facilities as part of the residential area on the site but financial contributions to the delivery of off-site facilities for education, play facilities and sport will be required to meet the demand generated by the development. Informal public open space should be planned into the layout of the development as part of the landscaping and open space strategy.

Present Amenities Amenities are concentrated around the Eureka parade. These are well used by residents and employees

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN alike. The area is frequently busy with the small parking area at the centre full at peak times.

Goat Lees community centre Eureka Place parade of shops: Chinese take away Shops at the parade include a ‘One Stop’ convenience store and ATM, ‘Coral’ (betting shop), Eureka Café, ‘Cinnamon Spice’ (Bangladeshi restaurant), Sun kissed beauty parlour, ‘Catch’ (fish and chips takeaway), ‘Pizza Hut’ (take away) and Eureka Veterinary Centre Pharmacy.

The Pheasant public house

Busy Bees Childcare Centre, Easy smile dental facility

Ashford Community Mental Health Team (referrals only)

The public house is family friendly with an ice cream parlour inside and play area outside. Dining facilities with the pub are also popular. The local Goat Lees Parent’s Association often use the pub as an informal meeting place during the day. Residents in Kennington also use this facility on a regular basis.

Goat Lees Community Hall is used during the day as a day care nursery by Towers Tiny Tots Preschool group. The community function room is suitable for hire for a range of activities, weddings and private functions. It is also used as a voting station.

Sandyacres serves as a sporting site with changing facilities and community hall available for private hire.

Businesses and shops around the Eureka Parade were surveyed to find their views about the effects of the proposed Eureka expansion. Generally, the businesses welcomed the increase in population viewing this as extra potential for trade on the proviso that there is a balance in the types of businesses opening. Services had a mixed response. The NHS medical facility was under strain generally and only open to referrals from the Ashford Borough, they viewed any increase in the population as an issue. Dental, veterinary, pharmacy and nursery/child care services would welcome the opportunity to expand their businesses but there was no space available to expand. (See appendix for survey details).

Education

Kent County Council calculate that a development of this size would generate a need for 105 Primary school places and 75 Secondary school places. Information taken from KCC (see appendix), it is based on estimates of similar density and size developments. KCC formula for calculating school places is 0.28 places per 100 dwellings for Primary schools and 0.2 places per 100 dwellings for Secondary schools. (Information given by KCC area schools organisation officer August 2018)

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Map showing position of nearest schools. Key : Purple line = parish boundary Green = position of schools

Yellow = Proposed S20 site

The nearest schools to the site are listed below. Distances given as approximations from the centre of the proposed residential area and as the crow flies – actual walking distances will be higher, since most of the residential development will lie behind the lake and the B1 business units abutting Trinity road.

Primary schools:  Goat Lees Primary School - this is the only school within the parishes. ≥730m  Phoenix Community Primary School ≥1.6km  Downs View Infant School ≥1.85km  Kennington CE Academy ≥1.76km

Secondary schools:  Towers School on parishes’ boundary ≥1.46km  Boys Grammar school – Norton Knatchbull ≥ over 3.4 km  Girls Grammar school – Highworth ≥2.10km  Ashford school – Private school ≥ 2.8 km

The CIHT guidelines for walking distances are outlined in ‘Providing for Journeys on Foot (2000)’, and state that the ‘acceptable’ distance for journeys is within 800m. NPPF guidelines state that key facilities such as primary schools and local shops should be located within walking distance of most properties (Para 38).

Clearly the only primary school within sustainable walking distance from the Eureka site is Goat Lees Primary school which is presently oversubscribed and unable to expand. KCC have stated that they would not consider expanding the school as it is on a small site of one acre and given the award-winning design insufficient space exists to expand whilst maintaining adequate outside space. Similarly Kennington CE Academy is unable to expand given its small site and since this is linked to Downs view infants school, further expansion of these two primary schools is not feasible (Information given by KCC area schools organisation officer August 2018) 12

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Kent County Council tables for the current and projected capacity over the next 5 years (see appendix tables 2 and 3) indicate a critical lack of availability within the closest primary school Goat Lees, the only school within the ‘. Nearby primary schools do have some capability but will also serve the additional development proposed in the Kennington area. However, these alone will not meet the predicted demand of 105 Primary school places as well as further development in the Kennington area. Assuming an equal distribution across the primary school age range, an extra 17.5 places per year group will need to be found from the Eureka development alone. KCC state that they anticipate that not all primary children will be able to attend their nearest school, but they anticipate that this situation will resolve itself once planned new primary schools are built in the Ashford area as a whole.

The predictions for availability in the closest schools are shown on the table below.

Table showing Primary school predictions for nearest schools to Eureka development

School year 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22

Goat Lees Primary School 193 211 219 221 220 219 Goat Lees Primary School 210 210 210 210 210 210 -1 -9 -11 -12 -9 Phoenix Community Primary 206 204 201 200 197 192 School Phoenix Community Primary 210 210 210 210 210 210 School +6 +9 +10 +13 +18 Downs View Infants School 268 265 251 243 239 243

Downs View Infants School 270 270 270 270 270 270 +5 +19 +27 +31 +27 Kennington CE Academy 342 356 361 365 359 349 Kennington CE Academy 360 360 360 360 360 360 +4 -1 -5 +1 +11

Figures taken from KCC forecast, November 2017 – See appendix Tables 2 and 3

Key Top figure is the current and forecast pupils on roll Bottom figure is the current and forecast capacity (indicated in italics) Coloured boxes show difference between capacity and predicted pupil numbers

Kent County Council state that a one form entry expansion of St. Theresa’s RC Primary School in the centre of Ashford from 2020 will be considered (≥2.20km distance). That a new two form entry primary school on the Great Burton development in Kennington (≥2.80km distance) has been agreed– Policy S2. KCC anticipate some children having to travel some distance to school until the Great Burton school is completed. Even so, these out of parish schools are at some distance from the Eureka site and not within the sustainability framework of being able to walk to school to keep traffic off the roads. Thus, this situation will exacerbate the traffic problem as well as create a problem providing primary school places. The secondary school situation indicates that the Towers school has some capability to accommodate the extra places, but it will have to serve other proposed developments with the Kennington area and is likely to be stretched. The Two Grammar schools in the centre of Ashford are both at full capacity. KCC have stated that within the Ashford area demand will not be met for secondary school places until the new secondary 13

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN school is built on the Chilmington development to the south of Ashford. See table 4 in appendix.

Thus the new residential housing development at Eureka will put a strain on both Primary and Secondary Schools.

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities are overstretched in the Ashford area generally. The Eureka development will add extra pressures. The closest medical facilities are given below, distances approximate from the centre of the site as the crow flies.

Medical facilities indicated on the map in green

 Ashford Community Mental Health Team (referrals only) - Eureka parade ≥550m  Easy Smile Dental Practice (limited places available) - Eureka parade ≥550m  Trinity House - Kent community health NHS foundation trust - Eureka parade ≥550m  Chopra & Associates Dental Surgery (limited places available)- Kennington ≥ 1.8 km  New Hayesbank Surgery (limited places available)- ≥2km  William Harvey Hospital ≥ 5.5km  Wye Dr and dental service ≥ 5.5km

Sports and Leisure

The main areas within the parishes close to Eureka for sports activities are Sandyacres sports and playing fields and the fishing lake on the Eureka site (Sandyhurst lake). There is a small childrens’ play area next to Goat Lees community hall. Ashford Golf Course is also a key sporting facility.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Clearly the Eureka development will utilise the sporting and recreational facilities placing extra pressures on the facilities. The design of Eureka development should factor in open spaces and play areas.

Ashford Borough Council state: 4.235 Proposals for the site will need to be based around a comprehensive landscaping and open space strategy that incorporates attractive pedestrian routes through the site. The lake that lies in the centre of the development area should provide the focal point for the strategy with landscaped routes feeding out through the site from this location, including the existing wooded area to the north. An east-west route from the Eureka Place local centre to Sandyhurst Lane should also form part of the strategy. This strategy should also include provision of SuDS to serve the surface water drainage requirements for the site.

The Parish Council endorses the parkland design strategy proposed by Ashford Borough Council that informal public open space should be planned into the layout of the development as part of the landscaping and open space strategy.

Using Ashford Borough Council’s adopted open space standards, an additional population of 1,000 residents over the plan period would generate the need for:

 Outdoor Sports Pitches: 1.6 hectares  Informal/Natural green space: 2.0 hectares  Children’s and young people’s play space: 0.5 hectares  Allotments: 0.2 hectares  Strategic Parks: 0.3 hectares  Cemeteries: 0.6 hectares

Strategic Parks; Outdoor Sports Pitches; Cemeteries and Allotments would be seen as strategic facilities not provided on site. In relation to sports pitch provision, Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan 2030 seeks to deliver a community hub model. The hub approach is specifically preferred for Ashford’s Open Spaces because: • It utilises existing areas of land suitable to accommodate large areas of multifunctional open space next to facilities, car parking and indoor sports provision; • It uses and gives greater emphasis to the existing and potential Green Corridor designation as an important green connection to and from the hubs; • It secures large areas of open space to the north and south of Ashford Urban Area where most of the growth is proposed; • It enables Hubs to become destinations within Ashford that attract use from a local and a wider catchment; • Hubs for open space will be complemented with local and neighbourhood open space in between the Hubs to form a network of provision across the Urban Area; and • It provides a framework to integrate new and existing communities.

The sport and recreational hubs are identified on the map below sourced from Ashford Borough Council Local Plan 2030. Sandyacres is named as one of the key hubs to the north of the town and clearly this should be the location for the provision of the 1.6 ha of outdoor sports pitches. Financial contributions would be sought for Strategic Parks; Outdoor Sports Pitches; Cemeteries and Allotments.

It would be expected that children’s and young people’s play space of 0.5 hectares be provided within the housing area of the Eureka development. Similarly, there is opportunity for substantial informal/natural green space to be incorporated into the whole Eureka development park based around the existing lake.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Sandyacres is shown as a red star at the North of Ashford, with Eureka Park mixed use development area shaded in purple just below.

Ashford Borough Council playing pitch strategy document, May 2017, covers the period from 2017 till 2030. The table below summarises their findings (not including the new Chilmington Green development south of Ashford):

Ashford Borough Council’s Local Plan states: Sandyacres is another site already offering social, community and sports provision (comprising two full size grass football pitches and one rugby pitch supported by a pavilion comprising four team and one officials changing room, bar and large function room). New provision could be planned which could include improved sports pitches, informal and natural green space and potentially allotment space.

Relevant comments from the report include:

Football: Ashford Borough Council recommendations are: Ashford Borough Council, Town and Parish Councils and Football Clubs need to engage with the FA Pitch Improvement Programme scheme, there are regional pitch advisors that are currently going around the 16

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN grounds to identify as many sites as possible that can benefit from the scheme. Priorities would be Sandyacres, Biddenden (Gordon Jones Playing Field) and High Halden.

Rugby: Sandyacres has a rugby pitch site run by a Trust and the pitch is used by Ashford Barbarians for match games only (1 adult rugby non floodlit pitch). The club trains at Highworth Grammar School mid-week. Ashford Barbarians have 1 adult team and Ashford RFC have 3 adult men’s teams, 1 women’s team, 2 youth teams U18-19 years, 7 junior teams U13 – 17 and 7 mini teams U7 12 a total of 20 teams.

Ashford Barbarians Rugby Club pitch at Sandyacres is currently under played by 0.5 match and training equivalents each week. This is because training takes place elsewhere.

The rugby pitch is on a slight slope but in good condition. The club has a five-year development plan to find a location to have their own clubhouse and floodlit training facilities.

Tennis LTA research shows that most people who access courts in parks only travel a short distance to play, therefore a network of park courts needs to be retained throughout the borough and maintained to a playable quality. The derelict courts at Sandyacres might be repaired, perhaps as a multi-use surface for a number of sports.

Netball Report indicates that the 6 courts available at Courtside (on the south side of Ashford) would accommodate latent demand and also any further demand from the population growth to 2030. See relevant comments from the report in appendix 7.

The Parish Council supports the enhancement of Sandyacres as a sports and recreation hub as proposed in the Ashford Local Plan 2030.

Fishing Fishing is a very popular recreational activity that centres around Eureka lake. Fishing activities occurs throughout the year and over night during the warmer months. Comments for the Neighbourhood Plan Survey 2016 indicated this as an important recreational activity. Proposed development on Eureka will be centred around the lake as a focal point.

Ashford Borough Council comment for S20: 4.235 Proposals for the site will need to be based around a comprehensive landscaping and open space strategy that incorporates attractive pedestrian routes through the site. The lake that lies in the centre of the development area should provide the focal point for the strategy with landscaped routes feeding out through the site from this location, including the existing wooded area to the north. An east-west route from the Eureka Place local centre to Sandyhurst Lane should also form part of the strategy. This strategy should also include provision of SuDS to serve the surface water drainage requirements for the site.

It is vital that facilities for fishing remain on the lake and retention of the lake and incorporation of this recreational activity should be part of the masterplan for Eureka. The Parish Council and the Goat Lees community should be fully consulted during the design phase.

Golf: The present golf course is not included in the allocated Eureka site but Ashford Borough Council have indicated that it may be utilised as soon as a new home has been found for the golf course.

Ashford Borough Council comment for S20 4.237: 17

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

The site adjoins the Ashford Golf Club land to the south. The Club has considered moving to a new site within the Borough. At the time of preparing this Plan, no firm proposals for relocation have come forward but it is reasonable to anticipate that this may occur during the Plan period. If a suitable site for relocation of the Club can be identified and the Club decide to vacate their current site, this land would form, in principle, a natural extension to the Eureka Park site. As vehicular access to the Golf Club land is from Sandyhurst Lane and thus heavily constrained, proposals for Eureka Park must ensure access to the golf club land is available via the development and where necessary access roads should be constructed to the site boundary.

Footpaths and Access to the Countryside

The Neighbourhood Plan Survey (2016) indicated a high degree of usage of the countryside. 92% of respondents indicated it was either important or very important to be able to walk from their home into the countryside. 88% walked in the countryside, 38% used the footpaths to walk their dogs. Comments included the importance for easy access to the countryside as a way of reliving stress and contributing towards health and wellbeing, particularly since they commuted to/from London. Several people stated that the reason they bought a house on the Goat Lees development was so that they had easy access go the countryside. Clearly the Eureka development will have an effect on access to the countryside for some residents living in the Goat Lees area.

Maps showing countryside footpaths most frequently used by residents of Goats Lees

Key Purple = parish boundary Yellow = public footpaths Red = footpaths most used by residents of Goats Lees

Circular routes that are popular and frequently used are shown on the maps below.

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Shorter route – across Sandyacres recreational up through Lenacre Hall farm and back along Lenacre street and Sandyhurst lane

Longer route across Sandyhurst farm, along Sandyhurst lane, through the wood onto Sandyacres and back along housing footpaths

Intermediate route -across Sandyhurst farmland, back across the golf course and along Trinity road

The proposed development at Eureka could see all footpaths across Sandyhurst Farm built upon with consequential loss of countryside access. Thus, the loss of amenity for the present residents of Goats Lees is pronounced, leaving just the Lenacre Hall Farm route as a circular footpath within easy proximity. It is vitally important when designing the Eureka development that consideration is given to the creation of new rural footpaths to replace any that may be lost or shortened.

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Biodiversity opportunity areas on S20 Eureka site

Creating a linear park and footpaths through the Eureka site

The Eureka area, including the series of lakes, Alder wood, Tile wood, Sandpit and the Warren have been identified as a possible biodiversity opportunity area. (see map below)

Biodiversity opportunity areas on Eureka

Areas connected: Podberry wood Tile lodge wood Sandpit Alders Sandyhurst lakes

The Alders woodland and waterways running through Eureka area

Map showing the main connectivity routes through the Eureka site from the Warren south of the M20, through to the Eastwell estate via Tile lodge wood to the north. Connectivity with the Warrren is via the golf course.

Red arrows indicate connectivity routes. The importance of the N-S corridor through the centre of the site can be clearly seen.

Note the position of the E-W footpaths shown in green. Also note the footpath (hashed green line) connects to the Warren in the south via an underpass below the M20. Although these section of the footpath are out of parish, they forms a circular route around the south of the Eureka site, which should be maintained.

The importance of maintaining a N-S corridor through Eureka for both wooded and freshwater habitats, cannot be overstated. The aerial view map below gives further details highlighting the role of hedgerows, ditches and trees as important in maintaining these ecological networks. 20

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

ABC recognise the importance of the lakes and connectivity with the Warren in creating a linear park through the Eureka site in the S20 policy. The policy states that:

a) A comprehensive landscaping and open space strategy, incorporating a linear park based around the existing lake and proposals for the future management and maintenance of the areas of shared open space and SuDS;

f) Ecological mitigation and enhancement measures informed by a habitat survey with particular regard to The Warren Local Wildlife Site;

The design of the development on Eureka must take into account the ecological networks highlighted in the aerial map below. The landform itself provides the opportunity to create new wet land habitats and to conserve and enhance connecting features, thus fulfilling the NPPF guidelines “to incorporate biodiversity improvements…. and secure measurable net gains for biodiversity”.

It is also important to consider the role of Ashford golf course at the planning stage, since this is a key part in the ecological connectivity to the Warren and is also highlighted by ABC as the next phase for residential development beyond the Local Plan 2030.

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Detail aerial view of the Eureka site showing connectivity. TL = Tile wood to the north A A = Alders wood W = The Warren

Arrows = connectivity routes Red arrows indicate linear corridors between woodlands along existing hedge rows and ditches Orange arrows indicate stepping stone connections through the golf course and along the lake margins. Blue arrows indicate the water route

In addition, a new footpath is required to allow easy access to Sandyacres. The position is suggested as diagram below:

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Sandyacres

Suggested footpath/cycle path extension through Eureka site shown in red, existing footpaths shown in yellow, track highlighted in green could also be part of a cycle route. The exit onto Sandyhurst lane is best at this point to provide access the sporting facilities on Sandyacres, since this is the start of a pavement along Sandyhurst Lane. It also crosses land allocated for Eureka development. This also has the benefit of providing additional circular walking routes to the north of the site for residents and workers on the Eureka development

ABC S20 policy for Eureka states:

d) New pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the development with connections to Sandyhurst Lane and existing routes. The Public Rights of Way running through the site should be maintained and incorporated within the development;

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B C

Summary for linear park and major footpaths through the Eureka site (parish boundary shown in brown)

Blue arrow – main N-S linear park setting Red arrows present and extended main pathways/cycleways through the site Biodiversity opportunity areas: A = Areas that would be suitable for increased wetland habitat e.g reed beds B = Additional woodland planting opportunity to reinforce connectivity to Tile Lodge wood C = Adjacent land on the Sandpit site is of special scientific interest as acidic grassland, rare in Kent. Opportunities exist to protect and enhance this area on the periphery of Sandpit. D = Additional planning for the golf course must factor, south of the parishes.

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Where might future community facilities be located?

Already a number of services are clustered together within the Eureka Place Neighbourhood Centre which provides a local focus for the area, an important opportunity for social interaction and enables more sustainable linked trips to a variety of services. The Neighbourhood Centre also has the benefit of offering employment opportunities in the area. The Neighbourhood Centre is sustainable in terms of being within walking distance to most residents in the Goat Lees area and the new Eureka site, with most homes being within the desirable and acceptable limits of between 400 and 800m (see table below).

The CIHT guidelines for walking distances are outlined in ‘Providing for Journeys on Foot (2000)

It is important that a range of shops and community services with associated car and cycle parking is retained. There may be a need to expand some services at the Centre to cater for the expanding Eureka residential/ business area and it is important that the Neighbourhood Plan facilitates such expansion space in the longer term.

Residents are concerned about the medical facilities in the area and the effects of additional pressures within the area on GP services in particular. It was the intention of ABC that a surgery open on Eureka Parade but suitable applications were not forthcoming.

The Neighbourhood Plan Survey revealed Health Services to be a major concern 88% of survey respondents were concerned about the increased pressure on health services any new housing development would bring. Over three quarters (76%) of those surveyed rated a new GP Surgery as important for the parishes over the next 15 years.

In answer to the question 6g. Thinking about new community or recreational facilities in our parishes over the next 15 years, which of the following would you like to see? (5 is most important and 1 is not important)

5 Most important 4 3 2 1 Not important

100% 4 5 9 4 10 10 13 10 16 7 16 90% 8 8 10 16 11 38 80% 14 14 21 15

25 70% 16 29 26 28 60% 28 30 23 28 19 50% 19 23 18 26 40% 14 21 21 26 30% 60

44 20% 38 33 30 30 26 11 24 21 10% 7 0% GP surgery Dentist School Post Office Sports Indoor Children’s Facilities for Tennis Skate park playing sports playgrounds young courts fields facilities people

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The area proposed for future expansion of the Neighbourhood Centre is shown as yellow in the maps below. Red outline indicates the present Neighbourhood Centre area.

Map showing position of proposed Neighbourhood centre

Sandyacres sports hub would be accessible via footpaths to the Centre

Goat Lees Primary School and Goat Lees Community Hall

Eureka Place

Proposed Neighbourhood Centre community area extension area.

The parish boundary shown in purple, footpaths as green hash lines.

Detail of the area showing it adjacent to Eureka Parade.

Access could be via Eureka Parade between NHS and Busy Bees buildings or via the roundabout at Nicholas Road.

A small section crosses the parish boundary, but this is not seen as an issue at the Centre could also serve Kennington parish residents

Author – Jane Hall Revised September 2018

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Appendix

Eureka site – Ashford Borough Council reasoned justifications and Policy S20

4.221 The site is located in the north western part of the Ashford urban area and is bounded by Sandyhurst Lane to the north which is characterised by ribbon residential development that directly abuts the Eureka site. To the south and south west, the site adjoins the Ashford golf course whilst to the east is the existing residential development of Goat Lees. The A251 Trinity Road runs through the eastern part of the site linking to the M20 junction 9.

4.222 The Eureka Park area was identified in the Ashford Local Plan (2000), the Core Strategy (2008) and the Ashford Urban Sites and Infrastructure DPD (2012) as a key strategic employment area. The Urban Sites & infrastructure DPD makes it clear that the Eureka site plays an important role as the principal ‘higher – order’ business park for the town. It is emphasised that it is essential to be able attract headquarter buildings and ‘blue-chip’ companies to an attractive parkland-style business environment with the aim to broaden the economic base of Ashford and provide a wider set of employment opportunities. The area provides a different type of offer to the other business locations in the town and it is important that this type of provision continues to be accommodated.

4.223 There are established B1 uses along both sides of Trinity Road and along Nicholas Road (Brake Bothers). The areas known as Northdown 1 and 2, which lie between Nicholas Road and Upper Pemberton, are now constructed and fully occupied. Eureka Place is a local centre that provides a range of shops and services for both residents and employees.

4.224 The proposed policy area extends beyond the area identified in previous Local Plans to include the area to the north and north-west, extending to the boundary with the properties that border Sandyhurst Lane. Main Access Potential future development 118 | P a g e Ashford Local Plan 2030 – Submission Version (Dec 2017)

4.225 The Local Plan provides the opportunity to review the overall approach to this area. It is critical that the site remains a strategic location for higher-order employment development recognising the importance of the area to the overall business offer of the town but there is the opportunity to re-consider the potential for some high quality residential development on part of the extended site that could fit in with the overall development concept on the site and improve the overall development offer. A high quality mix of employment and residential development in an attractive landscaped setting could deliver wider benefits to improve the business attraction of the site in particular as well as the town as a whole.

4.226 It is proposed that detailed site proposals should be determined following a detailed and inclusive master planning exercise that should inform any planning application for development on the site. The site is proposed for an indicative capacity of 375 dwellings and 20 hectares of commercial development.

4.227 In terms of the employment development, the Eureka Park site will not be appropriate for all types of employment uses. For instance, it is unlikely that primarily B2 or B8 uses will be acceptable here. However, it is possible to broaden the scope of potential uses here beyond just B1 office developments. For example, health care facilities or similar high quality services that complement the wider B1 office elements of the site may be acceptable where these generate new jobs for the area. Beyond the existing local centre, retail or leisure uses will not be acceptable as these should be located in, or closer to, the town centre.

4.228 The character of the site and its wider strategic role dictates that new commercial development must 27

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN be of a particularly high quality in respect of its design, layout and materials. In general, B1 commercial building footprints should be limited to not more than 20% of the total area of the Business Park and generous planting and landscaping should be provided to ensure the proper “parkland” character of the area is maintained. The topography of the site varies significantly, generally rising from the south to the north towards the adjoining residential areas. Innovative designs that complement this topography should be considered with the potential for taller buildings (up to four storeys) on the lower-lying parts of the site nearest the golf course being an option. Conversely, on those parts of the site closest to the Goat Lees housing estate, proposals must ensure that buildings are orientated to generally face away from nearby dwellings and should be designed and laid out to minimise the potential impact on residential amenity from noise and disturbance from vehicle movements and intrusive lighting.

4.229 Residential development shall be located primarily west of the lake that lies in the middle of the site but would also be suitable on land to the south of Grosvenor bungalow on the higher part of the site and, on a more limited basis, south of Nicholas Road opposite the Brake Brothers office. In locations which adjoin employment areas, the masterplan should determine the precise nature and orientation of the residential development to take account of future residential amenities and the likely operational requirements of the employment sites.

4.230 At the western boundary of the site, there should be a generous landscaped buffer provided to reduce the impact and provide some visual separation to the properties on Sandyhurst Lane, and taking into account the proximity of the Kent Downs AONB close to the site’s western boundary. In general, residential development here should be of a lower average density to reflect the wider parkland setting of the whole site with average residential densities for individual parcels determined through the masterplan.

9 4.231 Given the location, size and number of housing units envisaged on this site, 30% of the dwellings shall be provided as affordable housing, in accordance with policy HOU1.

4.232 Vehicular access to the site shall only be from Trinity Road. The current access points at Nicholas Road and Upper Pemberton should form the principal access points to the site, with the former providing the main entrance to the residential development west of the lake and the latter forming a loop to serve the employment development west of Trinity Road and a secondary access to the residential areas. There should be no vehicular access from Sandyhurst Lane other than for emergencies, although pedestrian and cycleway connections from the development to Sandyhurst Lane should be provided.

4.233 Parking provision for the site shall be in accordance with the standards proposed for residential and employment developments in policies TRA3 (a) and TRA3 (b) of this Plan but proposals for development of the area shall also need to include arrangements for parking and traffic management to minimise the risk of staff parking in nearby residential streets (e.g. a controlled parking zone). Alongside this, development proposals shall contribute financially towards the operation of a regular and frequent bus service to the town centre. This service should directly serve both the employment and residential areas of the site.

4.234 Outside the site, strategic highway access is provided by the recently improved M20 Junction 9 and the Drovers Roundabout. It is expected that development here will make a proportionate contribution to the repayment of the forward funding of the junction improvements by the HCA.  4.234.1 While it is expected that the delivery of improvements to the strategic road network will greatly enhance the ability of sites to come forward at pace, there will still be a need to ensure that traffic movements resulting from development proposals are sustainably managed. Therefore, a Transport Statement/Transport Assessment should be provided in accordance with Policy TRA8.

4.235 Proposals for the site will need to be based around a comprehensive landscaping and open space strategy that incorporates attractive pedestrian routes through the site. The lake that lies in the centre of the development area should provide the focal point for the strategy with landscaped routes feeding out through the site from this location, including the existing wooded area to the north. An east-west route 28

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN from the Eureka Place local centre to Sandyhurst Lane should also form part of the strategy. This strategy should also include provision of SuDS to serve the surface water drainage requirements for the site.

4.236 The proximity of the local centre means that the development is not expected to provide similar facilities as part of the residential area on the site but financial contributions to the delivery of off-site facilities for education, play facilities and sport will be required to meet the demand generated by the development. Informal public open space should be planned into the layout of the development as part of the landscaping and open space strategy.

4.237 The site adjoins the Ashford Golf Club land to the south. The Club has considered moving to a new site within the Borough. At the time of preparing this Plan, no firm proposals for relocation have come forward but it is reasonable to anticipate that this may occur during the Plan period. If a suitable site for relocation of the Club can be identified and the Club decide to vacate their current site, this land would form, in principle, a natural extension to the Eureka Park site. As vehicular access to the Golf Club land is from Sandyhurst Lane and thus heavily constrained, proposals for Eureka Park must ensure access to the golf club land is available via the development and where necessary access roads should be constructed to the site boundary.

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Policy S20 - Eureka Park The site at Eureka Park is proposed for a mix of commercial (around 20ha) and residential development (indicative capacity of 375 dwellings).

Development proposals for this site shall be designed and implemented in accordance with an agreed masterplan for the general layout and delivery of development and related infrastructure on the site.

Development proposals for the site shall include the following elements:- a) A comprehensive landscaping and open space strategy, incorporating a linear park based around the existing lake and proposals for the future management and maintenance of the areas of shared open space and SuDS; b) A generous landscaped buffer to residential properties along Sandyhurst Lane; c) A drainage strategy that includes proposals to provide SuDS in accordance with Policy ENV9; d) New pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the development with connections to Sandyhurst Lane and existing routes. The Public Rights of Way running through the site should be maintained and incorporated within the development; e) Vehicular access to the site shall be provided from Trinity Road only; f) Ecological mitigation and enhancement measures informed by a habitat survey with particular regard to The Warren Local Wildlife Site; g) The provision of vehicular connections to the southern boundary of the site; h) Parking provision on-site to meet at least the minimum parking standards for residential and commercial development set out in policies TRA3 (a) and TRA3 (b); i) A proportionate financial contribution towards the repayments of the forward funding that delivered the M20 Junction 9 & Drovers roundabout improvements; j) A proportionate financial contribution to the extension of local bus services to serve the development; k) Laid out and orientated so that the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers is preserved; l) A connection to the sewerage system at the nearest point of adequate capacity, in collaboration with the service provider, and ensure future access to the existing sewerage system for maintenance and upsizing purposes.

In addition, for commercial proposals on the site, the following will also be required:-

a) Individual commercial buildings shall be imaginative in their architectural style and designed to sit comfortably in a parkland setting, with car parks and service areas located discreetly, and additional landscaping used where necessary to help reinforce the parkland setting; b) The plot ratio for each commercial development parcel should not exceed 0.4:1; c)The footprints of B1 buildings are limited to no more than 20% of the total area of the Business park and that each development parcel achieves a minimum of 50% of “soft” landscaping

For residential proposals on the site, the following will also be required:- a) A residential design strategy setting out the key design criteria and average net residential densities on different plots and, where appropriate, how residential development will juxtapose with adjacent employment uses. b) The provision of proportionate financial contributions towards off-site primary and secondary education facilities, children’s play equipment and sports facilities. 30

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Education

1. Tables indicating current and forecasting future pupils on roll in Ashford

Primary school forecast - Table 2 Current projection based on school roll

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Table 3: Projections based on current and forecast school capacity

Table 4: Current and forecast pupils on roll for schools within Ashford District

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Table 5

Table 6

2. Kent County Council Comment from Lee Round, Area Schools Organisation Officer, South Kent

“The link to the Education Commissioning Plan can be found below. As mentioned this is last year’s iteration and I am presently writing the 2019-23 version. http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/education-provision/education-provision-plan

The Ashford section outline the plans that we have in place for adding provision in both the primary and secondary sector.

Ashford’s Local Plan requests that the developer of Eureka Park provides a financial contribution towards education provision ‘off-site’. As I mentioned, the site of Goat Lees Primary is restricted so expansion there would not be possible without losing a significant proportion of the playing fields. Any expansion of Downs View Infant School would have to be linked to a matching expansion at Kennington Juniors as they are linked for admission purposes. Kennington Academy is on a small site and cannot be expanded so this is unlikely to be a solution either.

Provision for a new 2FE primary school is agreed on the site around Little Burton – Policy S2.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

This is part of the strategic solution for primary places in the planning area. This does not necessarily mean that pupils coming out of Eureka Park will have to travel to that school for a school place. Over time we expect that pupils at Eureka place will get places closer to the new homes as those who travel further to access a place at Goat Lees, Downs View or Kennington Junior will be eased back to schools more local to them.

Secondary spaces will be created by adding places to a variety of schools including the two selective provisions. More information on this is included in the linked plan.”

3. Relevant Netball comments taken from Ashford Borough Council document Playing Pitch Strategy 2017 to 2030, May 2017.

3.96. Sport England Market Segmentation data for netball is drawn down to local authority level. The data identifies 417 participants across Ashford Borough Council currently participating in Netball and that a further 366 would like to take part.

3.97. Between April 2015 and March 2016, 164,100 people played netball once a week across England with Sport England documenting that 13,100 more people are involved in netball than the previous year. This increase is mostly driven by the older (25+) populations (and in particular a big increase in the 35-44 age group).

3.98. If this participation success was replicated in Ashford and some of the 366 who would like to participate, took up the sport, then an extra evening for the senior netball league could easily be created at Courtside. This would accommodate latent demand and also any further demand from the population growth to 2030.

Need to protect the 6 courts at Courtside and ensure that a sink fund is in place to repair and refurbish the court surfaces in the future.

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Eureka Place Short Retail Survey: March 2018

1. Are you aware of the planned development across the road within the ABC local plan to 2030? 1,000 new residents and more B1 office based businesses?

Several businesses in Eureka Place were not really aware of what was being proposed. Some were aware but didn’t know the scale of the proposals.

2. What impact will the planned development at Eureka have on your business?

Catch, Pizza Hut, Sun Kissed Beauty, Busy Bees, Eureka Veterinary Centre, Easysmile Private Dentist and The Pheasant Public house all felt it would be good news for their businesses and they could manage well as a result. Some expressed the desire to expand but were limited by availability of space. Eureka Café wanted to have more information on the plans but generally felt positive about having more people locally from both businesses and residential. Delmergate Pharmacy was very busy and didn’t have time to discuss fully but said they would like to expand and employ extra pharmacists but there was no space available. Cinnamon Spice the manager was away but the general feeling would be to welcome extra trade. Tinytots nursey would welcome extra children but have limited availability.

3. Would you welcome non-competing retail businesses nearby?

Mostly this received a positive comment but one expressed concern about more food outlets being a possible problem. Generally businesses would welcome a balance of new shops and services.

4. Can the infrastructure cope with this new influx?

Several issues were mentioned at most outlets. 1) Parking was mentioned as being a regular problem/’nightmare’ at most outlets. Employees from the offices park in Eureka Place as they don’t have enough space by their own offices. There is a three-hour limit which is frequently enforced through parking tickets. At the Medical Centre they have 100 staff and most days but in particular on Wednesdays and Fridays they have major problems finding space to park. The Easysmile centre have similar issues so they asked the landlord about making more space in the scrub land on the M20 side of their building, but this is not possible due to being ‘allocated’. Tinytots had a problem with parents dropping off and picking up their children at the nursery 2) Able bodied people regularly park in the two disabled spaces outside the One Stop 3) A great many drivers drive through the No Entry sign opposite the Delmergate Pharmacy and one person said he had a near miss and the female driver was very abusive when challenged. (He reported the incident with a photograph.) It was suggested there should be larger No Entry signs and clearer markings on the road showing the one-way system in place. 4) High Traffic volume and delays in commutes is an issue. One employee takes 30 minutes to drive 3 miles from South Ashford 5) The Medical Centre said that they have had four occasions when they had severe foul drainage problems on the ground floor which flooded so they are concerned about what will happen with hundreds more properties in the vicinity.

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Addendum

The following information relates to support for those with dementia and for their carers.

Housing and care homes in Ashford ([email protected]): Ashminster House (off Hythe Rd), Park View Care Centre (Park Far), Warren Lodge Care Home (Warren Lane), St Valery Residential Care Home (York Road); Farrow Court, currently under construction in Stanhope. Homes in High Halden, Woodchurch, Tenterden.

Groups providing outreach support Dementia support workers offer information and practical guidance to help people understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future. They offer support face to face, over the phone or in writing

Peer support Group provided by the Alzheimer’s society 08450 405 919 The Community Room, Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0YE The peer support group gives people the opportunity to meet with others who understand some of what they are going through. Run by a facilitator, the sessions offer a chance to ask questions, get information and share experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Carers Support Service provided by: Carers Support Ashford – Outreach 01233 664393 Norman House, Beaver Business Park Beaver Road, Ashford TN23 7SJ Carers’ Support provides a range of support services for unpaid carers in the area. Providing information, advice and guidance, practical and emotional support to anyone who finds themselves in a caring role, for someone who wouldn’t manage without their help. We administer the Kent Carers’ Emergency Card enabling carers to set up an emergency care plan for the person they care for, which can be activated if the carer should fall ill suddenly or have an accident. Various bespoke training courses including Manual Handling in the home, First aid for carers, Looking after someone with Dementia and the seven week Caring With Confidence Course which looks at a variety of aspects of the caring role. Support is tailored to the individual’s needs and may consist of a Carers Needs Assessment, 1-2-1 support, telephone support, a listening ear or the opportunity for some respite.

Ashford Meet & Talk provided by: Carers Support Ashford - Centrepiece, Bank Street, Ashford TN23 0BX 01233 664393 The Ashford Meet & Talk is a monthly group for all carers in the area, run by Carers’ Support. It provides an opportunity for carers to socialise and share experiences with others in similar circumstances in an informal and friendly environment. A member of staff from Carers Support attends to offer a listening ear, practical and emotional support, and information on other local support services. Dementia cafe Service provided by: Alzheimer's Society 08450 405 919  The Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Kennington, Ashford TN24 9QR The Dementia Cafe provides information about living with dementia and other services available locally in an informal and comfortable environment. A Dementia Cafe is also a place to relax, socialise and meet other people with dementia and their carers.

 St Teresa's Church Hall, Maidstone Road, Ashford TN24 8TX The Dementia Cafe provides information about living with dementia and other services available locally in an informal and comfortable environment. A Dementia Cafe is also a place to relax, socialise and meet other people with dementia and their carers. Care Navigator & Community Equipment Service provided by: Ashford Volunteer Centre Ashford Volunteer Centre, Berwick House 8 Elwick Road TN23 1PF The Care Navigator and Community Equipment Service is run by Ashford Volunteer Centre, in partnership with Kent County Council and The East and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust. It aims to improve the

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN wellbeing of older people and to help them continue to live independently in their own homes. The Care Navigator can visit you in your home, carry out a benefits check, provide information about local support services, or help you take charge of your affairs. If required, they can also draw up a support plan and assess whether equipment and minor adaptations would be beneficial in your home as well as supplying them. Well-Being at Home provided by: Ashford Volunteer Centre – Ashford Volunteer Centre, Berwick House 8 Elwick Road TN23 1PF The Well-Being at Home Befriending Service, run by Ashford Volunteer Centre, is intended to help relieve social isolation among older people. A volunteer Befriender can visit on a weekly basis for social interaction; they are not able to carry out personal care or household chores.

Ashford Admiral Nurses Admiral Nurses provide information, support and practical advice for family carers on different aspects of caring for a relative/friend with dementia. KMPT, William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, Willsborough, Ashford, Kent 01233 616 083

Crossroads Care Kent If you are a carer, your local Crossroads Care scheme can offer you support. Our core service sees a trained carer support worker coming into the home to take over the caring responsibilities. Each local scheme is an independent charity, which has its own funding streams and is therefore able to provide additional services according to funding and demand at a local level. 08450956700 www.carerskm.org

Age UK Ashford -The Eldercare Centre ,Stanhope Road, Ashford , Kent. TN23 5RF 01233 668765

COGS CLUB With the support and guidance of a Specialist Nurse Practitioner (SNP) we are able to offer a new COGs club for dementia sufferers. The club is modelled on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and is specifically for people with mild to moderate dementia.

The day is from 10am to 3pm once a week, for as long as a member can benefit from the stimulation. it provides the opportunity for them to recall or develop new skills in activities and to facilitate the transfer of these skills to activities at home. Held at - Joe Fagg Pop-In Centre , St. Johns Lane, Town Centre.Ashford TN23 1QD

Call in time - Call in Time is a free telephone friendship service helping to match hundreds of older people with trained volunteers to help: . older people who feel lonely and isolated to make new friends . provide some reassurance and support to older people living alone Help at Home

We are able to provide Support with some of the tasks that you may find difficult. Here is just a few examples of the sort of things we can assist with, but please don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything else, ring the number below for more information:

 Light housework  Shopping with or for you  Collecting prescriptions  Help to attend appointments  Help with correspondence and phone calls 37

BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL PARISHES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

 Mowing the lawn  Outings to meet friends and family

Other services provided by Age UK Ashford Hairdessing Assisted bathing Tuck shop Freshly cooked meals Entertainment

For further information please call us on 01233 668765 - press 1 for The Pop Inn Centre or press 2 for the Eldercare Centre. You can also email us at [email protected]