|
“A Vision For Tenterden”
An Illustrated Talk by Sir Terry Farrell 7.30 pm Friday 6th
January St Mildred’s Church Hall.
Open Morning
There was a good turnout at the Tenterden and District
Residents Association’s open morning at The White Lion in October, with an exhibition of
current and future developments for the town.
Residents and committee members shared strong feelings about
the draft housing plans on display, particularly the Provisional Masterplan for the 475
homes development and the proposed ABC timeline for review of the scheme.
There was unanimity that the proposed scale of the development
was wholly inappropriate in relation to the size of town. Residents felt that the
previous government’s virtual doubling of previously agreed numbers of 265 was foisted
on us without consultation and the current government’s policies provided little relief.
Specific issues raised on the plans for housing included:
-
the lack of provision of policies for employment
opportunities in the town
-
the pressures on the infrastructure, especially medical
facilities
-
concerns that provision of starter homes would be overlooked
or beyond the means of young couples
-
the visual and environmental impact on the southern part of
the town, especially Phase B, from the Smallhythe Road.
Tenterden - A Town for Youth?
A Youth coffee bar in the town, better public transport
provision in the evening and retail outlets that cater for the young were just some of
the many suggestions made in a Youth Survey undertaken earlier in the year.
High on the list of requests for recreation equipment were an
Adventure park (identified by rather more females than males!) and a skate and BMX park
(seen as a high priority by males). Need for improved street lighting for greater
security were cited as priorities and there was strong support for a Tenterden cinema.
The survey of 350 11-21 year olds was one of the most
comprehensive since the Town Healthcheck in 2005 and was funded by TESCO. It involved
Homewood and other secondary schools working closely with Carol Morton the ABC Youth
Projects Co-ordinator. Outcomes and recommendations have been shared with the schools
and have been endorsed by Tenterden Town Council.
A high priority in the recommendations is the setting up of a
Youth Forum on a trial basis to give Tenterden Youth a voice in the liaison with the
Tenterden Town Council.
Action is already being taken: Cllr. Pam Smith has been
confirmed by TTC as the liaison councillor for young people. An initial meeting has
taken place, and youth representatives will be invited to share their views further and
explore the proposal for a Youth coffee bar as part of the refurbishment of Highbury
Hall.
Highbury Hall - A Community Project
Highbury Hall is “on the up”. Users of the Highbury Lane will
have noticed the recent improvement to the exterior of the building. Re-siting of the
oil tank and improvements to the carpark and grassed areas will follow.
Major refurbishment of the interior and its facilities is now
planned and will include: a modern kitchen and servery with potential as a Youth café
area, upgraded toilet facilities, improved lighting and reconfigured levels and rooms
with tidy storage.
All this will make enhanced provision for the youth of the town
and for general community use. The longer term aim is for construction of a new hall to
replace the existing building.
There is a very willing new committee, which operates as a
registered charity, and whose members have undertaken some of the labour intensive
tasks, but “now need the resources to complete this Community Project” If you can help
please contact Cllr. Alan Sugden Tel. 07718807000.
|
