News

Hawkinge Parish Council chairman David Callahan and district councillor David Godfrey are both upbeat following the meeting which Cllr Godfrey called to get things moving and to bring people together in the village.

The parish council had met on Tuesday evening (24 July) to formulate their views on the matters on Cllr Godfrey's agenda which included the bollard in Webster Way and the buffer strip to the rear of DeHavilland Close.

Wednesday's meeting held in the Partnership office was attended by all three Shepway ward councillors, Shepway's corporate director of planning and environment Jeff Stack and director of corporate property Kathryn Beldon, together with Partnership representatives and parish councillors.

Cllr Godrey, chairing the meeting explained that its purpose was to create an action plan for the future in the rapidly growing village.

The meeting agreed to support the removal of the bollard in Webster Way and to press for priority road signs and double yellow lines at the Harvest Way and Canterbury Road junction. It was also in agreement to include a 20mph speed limit for Webster Way, which could be extended to the rest of the village.

Although there was not unanimous support for the plans to open up the buffer strip at the rear of DeHavilland Close, it was agreed to go forward with a footpath running some distance from the gardens to allow residents some privacy, and to plant shrubs and trees adjacent to the fences.

Parish Council Chairman David Callahan said: "The buffer strip agreement is a good compromise all round and it is refreshing to see people working together."

Discussing the six figure pot of Hawkinge 106 monies the meeting decided to draw up an action plan to release the cash. We understand that the money will be used for community and leisure facilities which could include youth facilities, sports, and footpaths.

It is planned to give all residents, including the young people of the village, a say in the proposals at the Hawkinge Community Fun Day in September. There is a time limit of October 2007 set to formulate and agree the proposals.

District councillor David Godrey said: " I and my fellow ward councillors Stuart Peall, and Roger Hill are fully supporting the Parish Council in their actions."