Report to Higham Parish Council Annual Parish Assembly – 15th April 2010
Go to: Higham Parish Council | 2010 Annual Parish Assembly Agenda
From Cllr. Bryan Sweetland, Gravesham Borough Council
Third Thames Crossing, what has been announced?... Two months ago, Kent County Council leader Paul Carter revealed his vision for a £1billion privately funded road crossing the Thames east of Gravesend. This was outlined in his vision for 21st Century Kent. This is a visionary document drawing on a year’s consultation. Overall, it provides an exciting blueprint for the county’s future. As part of this project, KCC commissioned Sir Terry Farrell to produce a wide-ranging spatial vision for Kent, making clear its ambitions for the future. To turn this vision into action, further detailed work will be developed with District and Borough Councils, Medway Council, and with local businesses and communities.
Gravesham Borough Council Leader, Mike Snelling said: "Although we accept entirely the need for more capacity across the river, we’ve never accepted that this should go through this most beautiful part of the countryside. Gravesham Borough Council will oppose that totally as our land is precious to us."
We must remember that this is currently only a ‘vision’ and detailed plans at this stage are not available, no local consultation has taken place and a Lower Thames Crossing is not currently funded. So there is a long way to go. There are other options for a crossing and the most economical option would be to use an existing transport corridor.
Family Friendly Town Centre…Through the many consultation mechanisms the Council has, such as Neighbourhood Forums, the Council is aware that resident’s perception of the town centre night town economy is still very negative and many residents believe that it is not a safe place to visit at night. Whilst these perceptions are not correct, it is felt that the town centre would be a good area for the council to focus on and work with the businesses and local communities to help the town centre have a thriving day and impact economy for all age groups. The proposal is therefore to introduce an initiative to progressively take action on areas of concern. Whilst Members, officers and other agencies will be able to identify a number of specific issues to be addressed, it is important that consultation is undertaken with businesses, other communities and individuals to obtain their views on where action is needed. Such views need to be carefully considered and feedback provided of what can and cannot be taken forward.
Although this reduction in crime is an excellent example of good partnership working, the Council is aware that the perception of crime is greater than crime itself.
Free Car Parking…GBC announced that the free car parking initiative in council-run car parks on Saturdays will be continued and reviewed annually in the light of changing economic circumstances. The cost of the scheme, of approximately £88,400 per annum, will be built into the budget process for 2010/11.
Free car parking was agreed as part of a package of measures put in place by the council in response to the economic circumstances and to specific requests from businesses that free car parking be considered to assist with trade in the town. Town Centre businesses have for a long time related that the cost of car parking is detrimental to trade in the town.
The Recession…The UK entered recession in the second half of 2008 and the impact of that, beyond the earlier slowdown in the housing market, began to be felt more severely in Gravesham at the turn of the year and the first quarter of 2009 proved particularly difficult. Unemployment in Gravesham has risen and now stands at 4.3% (October 2009), a slight reduction on the previous month, but 72.7% growth on 2008 figures. It is anticipated that unemployment will continue to rise again in the early part of 2010, especially as job vacancies remain at a low level.
Tourism Strategy for Gravesham… In addition to the objectives set out in Gravesham’s Tourism strategy, the following objectives will be pursued immediately to promote Gravesham as a tourism destination:
- Positive promotion to maximise the visitor benefits from domestic and international rail links to Gravesend and Ebbsfleet Stations;
- Maximising the potential positive impacts of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, promoting the close proximity to the Olympic site, fast travel links, Borough visitor attractions plus Cultural Olympiad events to ensure an “Olympic legacy” for the
Borough. Recognition and enhancement of the Borough’s Riverside Heritage in particular establishing a pontoon at Town Pier and associated leisure craft usage, investigating the potential for establishing a cruise terminal, and pursuit of such, and regeneration of the riverside overall, including the promenade and Canal Basin area. Development of a tourism partnership in Gravesham, initially based on the potential for the 2012 Olympics bringing together local business, community organisations and the public sector.
Local Development Framework…The parish has an existing Gypsy and Traveller site with temporary planning permission, located to the edge of Lower Higham on Cuckold’s Corner. The view of the Parish Council is that it should not be made permanent. Taylors Lane is very narrow, Cuckold’s Corner is slightly wider but also not suitable for traffic. Also the site is located in the Green Belt and its character, prior to the recent development of stables, hardstanding and caravans, made a clear contribution to the openness of this area. There are a number of fields surrounding the temporary site which would be vulnerable if the site was made permanent because, if further pitches are required, you would consider expanding existing sites with permanent permission.
Gravesham Borough Council acknowledges that the Parish Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on the site identification methodology in advance of potential sites being identified. The Core Strategy advises that the Borough Council will focus initially on 3 options in the urban and rural settlements. Higham Parish Council supports that this should be the initial focus for identifying sites but recognises that delivering sites from these options may be difficult. For example, we have been advised that the new Springhead gypsy and traveller site was the only option for the Borough Council on its own land, but we are assuming that public land in the round will be considered including that owned by KCC, West Kent PCT etc. When considering sites the Parish Council believes that Council’s settlement hierarchy also needs to be followed e.g. potential sites in or near the main urban area should be prioritised.
Gravesham gets set for London 2012 with the adiZone…
Gravesham is to get its very own taste of London 2012, thanks to the installation of an adiZone - a giant multi-sport outdoor gym venue which aims to inspire the local community to get involved in sport. adiZones are permanent installations measuring 625sq metres and boast sporting facilities inspired by Olympic and Paralympic sports that include a basketball, football and tennis area, a climbing wall, an outdoor gym and an open area to encourage dance, aerobics and gymnastics .
Gravesham – A Family Friendly Borough