Sick and tired of overdevelopment in Kent? Then join Sunday’s Day of Action

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How much more development can Kent take?
With the county subjected to increasingly crazy levels of housebuilding, a protest has been planned for people sick of the ongoing destruction of their natural environment.
The Day of Action on Sunday (November 28) will involve groups across Kent marching, walking or just plain meeting up to demonstrate their anger and upset over the loss of so much countryside to an incessant barrage of housebuilding schemes.
The Save Kent’s Green Spaces protest was put together by Dave Lovell, who had previously been involved with the Save Capel group battling plans by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for 2,800 new houses at Tudeley and another 1,500 at East Capel.
“We are essentially an umbrella group and hope to guide others in their lawful protest. We had also always intended that individuals who did not have a campaign to align to could get involved and we are now opening up to them, as well as others who might not be able to make it on the day,” said Mr Lovell.
“We’re trying to ratchet up the political pressure and get Boris Johnson to put his words on protecting green fields into practice.
“With the National Planning Policy Framework a toothless machine, we would like to see it become advantageous for housebuilding to be on brownfield land, including the repurposing of existing buildings, and disadvantageous for it to be targeted at greenfield land.”
At the time of writing, 29 groups across Kent had signed up for the Day of Action. Among them are Save our Heathlands, who will be walking along the North Downs from Lenham Cross to Cherry Downs; Sittingbourne’s Rural Protection Group; Westgate & Garlinge Action Group in Thanet; and Farms, Fields and Fresh Air, Faversham, who will be taking a poignant route from a food hall to the fields being put up for development by Prince Charles.
Supporters who join the walks or simply do their own thing are encouraged to take photographs of threatened sites and post them on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #SaveKentsGreenSpaces or email them, with their details, to savekentsgreenspaces@gmail.com
Mr Lovell said: “From the contributions and messages we’ve already had, we’ve estimated that more than 15,300 acres are set to be lost to the proposed housing developments that we know of – but there are far more out there.
“We’re not saying the figure represents scientific analysis, even though it’s been checked by a statistician, but it’s a fair estimate. I am also not aware of any form of cumulative impact assessment that might be in place for what seems a huge loss of green space, agricultural land and wildlife habitat.
“If the day is successful – and with so many groups taking part we are confident it will be – we hope that other counties will follow suit.”

  • To learn more or to take part in the Day of Action, whether as a part of an organised group or as an individual, please visit the Save Kent’s Green Spaces Facebook page here or email savekentsgreenspaces@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Join us at Ebbsfleet for this month’s netwalking event

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There are some wonderful natural habitats to enjoy in the Swanscombe area (pic Paul Buckley)

You are warmly invited to this month’s netwalking event, which will take place in Ebbsfleet this week, on Friday, November 26, at 10am.
Places are strictly limited to 15 walkers – if you would like to attend, please complete the form here and email it to julie.davies@cprekent.org.uk
We have a 4.5-mile walk planned, which will take us through the dirt tracks and footways of Ebbsfleet on a route taking about two and a half hours – it includes a section that will take us up 82 steps (with resting places).
Please note: this walk be undertaken at your own risk. We’ll ensure we have forward and back markers, so you can walk at a pace that’s comfortable for you. You will need to wear a pair of sturdy shoes and bring wet-weather gear and water to drink – you’ll also need to be prepared to walk on uneven ground and up steps.
If you would like to take part in this month’s event, please complete the attached proforma confirming your contact details (and emergency phone number) – and confirm you understand that you’ll be taking part in this walk at your own risk and will seek medical advice in advance, as appropriate.
Details of our starting point (and parking arrangements) will be shared once you have confirmed your attendance.
If you have any questions, please email julie.davies@cprekent.org.uk

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Liz Akenhead, champion of the Tunbridge Wells countryside, honoured with volunteer award

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Liz receives her certificate from CPRE Kent chairman John Wotton
… and now complete with medal

Congratulations to Liz Akenhead, whose work for CPRE Kent has been recognised with a national award.
This year saw a record number of volunteers nominated by either their local group or the national charity and at last week’s national conference 35 were awarded a medal and certificate for their efforts.
Liz was, of course, nominated by CPRE Kent and in his nomination chairman John Wotton said: “Liz stood down in May 2021 after serving as chair of the Tunbridge Wells district committee for many years.
“Throughout this time she has demonstrated extraordinary skill, commitment and determination in contributing to the local planning process and responding to the many threats we have faced.
“This has proved to be a consistently challenging task in a borough that faces all the development pressures of a popular South East commuting town, with an area that is 70 per cent within the High Weald AONB and much of the rest either Metropolitan Green Belt or floodplain unsuitable for development.
“Liz has brought to bear her knowledge and experience as a solicitor in the field of planning law, which she has shared freely with colleagues. She has mastered every change in planning law and policy and scrutinised thoroughly each new local planning consultation and proposed new development of any significance.
“Once she has taken up a matter, she has pursued it relentlessly, skilfully and courteously, gaining the respect of countless councillors and officers. Her final project as chair was to mastermind our response to the Regulation 19 consultation on the new Local Plan, which contained more than 200 detailed submissions, many of which she drafted herself.
“Liz has been an inspiring and exemplary district chair, regularly hosting meetings in her home. She has been welcoming to new members and encouraging to us all. She has chaired the committee with consummate dedication and efficiency, setting a standard to which few of us can aspire. She continues to work at least as hard as any other committee member.”
Or, to sum it all up, Liz’s certificate detailing the reason for her award reads: “For outstanding service to CPRE Kent for many years, serving as Chair of the Tunbridge Wells District Committee with skill, determination and courtesy, bringing to bear all your knowledge and experience to the protection of the precious countryside of the Weald of Kent.”
And so say all of us!

Monday, October 25, 2021

Lousy public transport, loneliness and lack of affordable housing is pushing young people out of the countryside, CPRE survey reveals  

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The CPRE report makes some alarming conclusions

A chronic lack of affordable housing, loneliness and poor public transport have left young people living in the countryside so disillusioned that only two in five plan to stay put over the next five years (43 per cent), a new online survey commissioned by CPRE, the countryside charity, and conducted by YouGov has found. 
It revealed the government’s levelling-up agenda could come too late for today’s rural young people. The soaring cost of housing was identified as the single biggest concern in the nationwide rural survey of 16- to 25-year-olds; 72 per cent said it was a key problem and more than 8 in 10 of those wanting to leave identified it as a major factor (84 per cent). 
Amid delays to long-awaited planning reforms, this unique survey of more than 1,000 young people living in rural areas found that just 43 per cent of them planned to still be there beyond the next five years. Fewer than one in five (18%) think the future looks bright. Of those planning to leave, 84 per cent said affordable housing was an important factor in their decision. 
Separate analysis by CPRE found the demand for social housing was growing almost six times faster than the rate of supply in rural areas. At current rates, the backlog of low-income families needing accommodation would take 121 years to clear. Figures show 8,898 households were added to social-housing waiting lists in 88 rural local authority areas between 2019-20, the last year for which figures are available, with just 1,453 social homes delivered. In total, 176,058 rural families were waiting for accommodation in 2020, up from 167,160 in 2019. 
Commenting on the survey findings, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, said: “A thriving countryside depends on young people being able to study, work and start families in rural areas. But the sad reality is that the majority of young people born and raised in the countryside feel they can no longer afford to live there – despite the overwhelming majority saying they would like to. 
“A fraction of the young people we heard from feel they are listened to by decision-makers. This is troubling, for their concerns came through loud and clear. Second only to unaffordable housing, young people in the countryside said isolation and loneliness was their biggest concern.
“The shameful inequities of rural life mean young people growing up today struggle simply to meet up with their friends – in person or online – because public transport and broadband in the countryside has been treated as an afterthought for too long. 
“We must do better. To really level up the countryside the government must, at a bare minimum, guarantee hourly flat fare bus services running from morning to midnight, seven days a week, for our rural towns and villages. We must ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable and convenient public transport. 
“And in the forthcoming Spending Review, we’re calling on the government to allocate £12.8 billion of funding a year to tackle the housing crisis, with a fair proportion allocated to rural areas to deliver genuinely affordable and well-designed homes for rural communities.” 
After housing, poor-quality public transport and feelings of loneliness and isolation were the next two biggest issues for young people in the countryside. Other key stats include: 

  • Two-thirds (66 per cent) were concerned about infrequent and unreliable public transport 
  • More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of those planning to leave said poor digital connectivity – meaning broadband as well as patchy mobile phone coverage – had influenced their desire to move 
  • Fewer than a quarter (23 per cent) of young people surveyed wanted to go into the workplace full time, suggesting broadband will become increasingly important for the rural economy as flexible working becomes more common 
  • You can read the report Outpriced and overlooked here

Monday, October 25, 2021

Heard of netwalking? Join us to find out more about this buzz activity (and have a great time)

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After the success of our first netwalking event last month, we are making plans for our next, which will start in Lenham on Friday, October 29, at 2pm.
Places are strictly limited to 15 walkers – if you would like to attend, please email info@cprekent.org.uk
We have planned a four-mile walk that will take us up the steep slope north of Lenham and on to the Pilgrims’ Way – we will walk a circular route, taking in the views of the site of the proposed garden village settlement at Lenham Heathlands to the south, and return back to the village, where we will enjoy a heritage trail through Lenham.
At a leisurely pace, we’ll probably be out for two hours.
These walks will be undertaken at your own risk – we’ll ensure that we have forward and back markers, so you can walk at a pace that’s comfortable for you. 
You will need to wear a pair of sturdy shoes and bring wet-weather gear and water to drink – you’ll also need to be prepared to walk on uneven (and rising) ground and climb over stiles.

Monday, October 18, 2021

Join Swanscombe rally to show how much you care for this special site (and listen to a band and drink cider)

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Kent’s best-kept conservation secret – the Swanscombe peninsula – is under threat from the development of London Resort theme park.
CPRE Kent is one of an alliance of organisations fighting to stop this destructive scheme coming to pass – and on Saturday (October 2) we are holding a rally calling for this special wildlife site to be protected.
We would love to see you on Saturday at 10am for a tour, where we can all enjoy the sights and sounds of the peninsula. If you can’t make it bang on 10am, we’ll be walking at a gentle pace, so you’ll be able to join us over the next couple of hours.
And the fun doesn’t end there! You can come along to Gads Hill Farm for the SSSider Soak, which celebrates the wildlife of the peninsula. The event is based in a cider orchard; there’s a cider shop and bar and the Dartford Folk Massif are striking up at 3pm.

  • Campaigners on the rally will gather at Manor Way, opposite Britannia Metals, Northfleet DA11 9BG, on Saturday, October 2, at 10am
  • The SSSider Soak in the afternoon runs until 5pm at Gads Hill Farm ME3 7NX
  • To learn more about the Swanscombe peninsula, click here

Monday, September 27, 2021

Would you like to join us for a walk in the countryside?

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The fields of Luddenham are bursting with life (Julie Davies)

A message from CPRE Kent planner Julie Davies:

As we reflect on getting back to ‘normal’ life, I’m sure that like me one of your memories of lockdown will be how grateful we all were to be able to get outdoors and enjoy the countryside.
I don’t need to extol the virtues of the countryside to you, but those of you who attended, or have now have watched, Professor Jules Pretty’s presentation on Health, Nature and Low Carbon Good Life will be aware of the documented benefits of being outdoors – whether it’s being in your own garden, local park or the wider countryside; and whether it’s for the purposes of gardening, admiring the view, walking or running.
As the countryside charity, CPRE Kent wants to be at the forefront of championing these benefits – and we’d like you to get involved.
Starting on Friday, September 24, we’d like to trial a ‘netwalking’ event starting in the home of our Pink Wellies: Will Walk blog, which featured a diary of lockdown walks from Faversham on the North Kent Marshes.
The idea is that these walks will start at 10am on the last Friday of the month – moving each month to a different area of the county.
These walks will be undertaken at your own risk – we’ll ensure that we have forward and back markers, so you can walk at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Needless to say, you’ll need to wear a pair of sturdy shoes and bring wet-weather gear and water to drink – you’ll also need to be prepared to walk on uneven ground and climb over stiles.
If you’d like to take part in this month’s event, please RSVP to info@cprekent.org.uk and we’ll be in touch with this month’s walk details.

Nature, Health and a Low-Carbon Good Life

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Most of the people visiting this site will know of the many and varied benefits of enjoying the countryside. However, it’s not easy to convert that experience to hard facts. We can start to address that problem by watching this fascinating lecture from Professor Jules Pretty on the health and welfare advantages of engaging with nature… you won’t regret it!

https://youtu.be/3h5efVyK700

Monday, September 6, 2021

Dramatic reduction in light pollution during lockdown, Star Count reveals

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Three times as many people took part in the 2021 Star Count than in previous years

A nationwide Star Count conducted in February has revealed a significant drop in light pollution levels across the UK.
Almost 8,000 counts were submitted from February 6-14 in the annual citizen-science project that asks people to count the number of stars they see in the Orion constellation. 
A total of 51 per cent of people noted 10 or fewer stars, indicating severe light pollution. This compares with 61 per cent during the same period last year.
Thirty or more stars indicates truly dark skies and were seen by 5 per cent of participants – the highest figure since 2013.
Lockdown is the most likely reason for this change, with reduced human activity resulting in quieter-than-usual urban areas. Similar patterns have been found with air pollution, which has also dropped across the country. 
The results have been launched to mark International Dark Skies Week, run by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDSA), which raises awareness on the impacts of light pollution.  
Light pollution can negatively affect human health and wildlife by disturbing animals’ natural cycles and behaviour. Badly-designed, wasteful light also contributes to climate change and obscures our connection to the universe. 
CPRE, the countryside charity, and IDSA want to combat light pollution through strong local and national policies while also protecting and enhancing existing dark skies. This involves putting the right light in the right places, such as LED lights that only illuminate where we walk and turning off lights in places like office buildings when they’re unoccupied. 
CPRE and IDSA hope this fall in people experiencing the most severe light pollution – an unintended but positive consequence of lockdown – continues long after coronavirus restrictions are lifted so more people can experience the wonder of a truly dark sky.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, said: “It’s been an absolutely stellar year for Star Count. We had three times as many people taking part compared with previous years and I’m delighted to see severe light pollution appears to have fallen. It’s likely this is an unintended positive consequence of lockdown, as our night-time habits have changed. Let’s hope we can hold on to some of this achievement as we ‘unlock’.
“Looking up at a starry night sky is a magical sight and one we believe everyone should be able to experience, wherever they live. And the great thing is, light pollution is one of the easiest kinds of pollution to reverse – by ensuring well-designed lighting is used only where and when needed, and that there is strong national and local government policy.”
Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association, said: “We believe that solving the problem of light pollution begins with a realisation that the problem exists. For many people, participating in the Star Count may have been their first direct encounter an unpolluted night sky due to the loss of artificial light. 
“As realisation turns to action, we look forward to working with CPRE to bring attention and resources to turning the tide, and bringing natural night-time darkness back to more of the UK.”

  • To see the interactive map showing results from Star Count 2021, click here

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Tick tock! Time is running out to join Star Count

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This year’s Star Count ends on Sunday (February 14).
Although there have been occasional clear spells, the cloud that brought snow to much of Kent this week has made conditions for stargazing far from ideal.
So, if you haven’t yet been able to take part in the count, do pop your head out every so often tonight or over the weekend to see if there’s a chance to tot up the stars you can spot within Orion.
If you don’t know where Orion is, click here
Using results from the annual Star Counts, CPRE lobbies government and local authorities to tackle light pollution and highlight which ‘dark sky’ areas need to be protected and enhanced by strong policies.
The event also increases our own knowledge of the wonderful night sky. In other words, it’s fun!

  • There is still time to join Star Count: click here

Friday, February 12, 2021

Watch The One Show on BBC tonight and enjoy a feature on Star Count

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Star Count 2021 launched on Saturday and hundreds of people have already taken part.
The week-long event, organised by CPRE, the countryside charity, and the British Astronomical Association, has received widespread coverage on TV and radio and in the written media.
And now we can announce that Star Count will be featured on The One Show tonight.
Tune into BBC One from 7pm-7.30pm and you can see CPRE’s Emma Marrington beaming into the studio live and telling the nation about all things stargazing.
If you’re not already involved in Star Count, don’t worry as there’s still time! Simply sign up here, wait for a clear night, step outside and help us map the night sky.

  • To learn more about Star Count and a related video we have produced for you, click here

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

All ready for Star Count? We have a video for you to enjoy

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As hopefully many of you will know, CPRE, the countryside charity, is encouraging as many of us as possible to take part in this year’s Star Count from home.
The clock is ticking and this fabulous event runs from tomorrow (Saturday, February 6) to Sunday, February 14. All you have to do is choose a clear night, look skywards and see how many stars we can spot within Orion.
And now we can offer you a video showing how to go about it! In truth, it’s not a difficult process anyway, but this is a fun feature and should sort out anything you’re not sure about. To view the video, visit the CPRE Kent Facebook page here
Seeing dark skies full of stars is something denied to far too many people. Previous Star Count results have demonstrated that light pollution is making starry skies a rarity in many parts of the country.
However, using these results from the annual Star Counts, CPRE lobbies government and local authorities to tackle light pollution and highlight which ‘dark sky’ areas need to be protected and enhanced by strong policies.
Star Count is fun and it serves a fabulous purpose in helping protect one of the greatest wonders of our world: a dark sky glittering with stars. Come on, you know you want to!

  • To take part in Star Count, click here

Friday, February 5, 2021

Star Count can inspire us in lockdown… and it’s fun

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Light pollution is denying too many people the joy of a night sky (pic Craig Solly)

Running out of ideas to keep the family busy during lockdown?
If so, CPRE’s Star Count provides the ideal solution.
Next month – from Saturday, February 6, to Sunday, February 14 – CPRE, the countryside charity, is asking us all to choose a clear night, look skywards and see how many stars we can spot within Orion.
If you don’t know where Orion is, click here
There cannot be many of us who at some point have not gazed up at a starry night sky in wonder. Looking at the stars can give us a feeling of tranquillity that we experience increasingly rarely in the modern world.
Seeing dark skies full of stars is something we associate with the countryside and is part of reconnecting with the natural world. However, places to enjoy such stunning sights are becoming harder to find, even in the countryside. Sadly, previous Star Count results have demonstrated that light pollution is making starry skies a scarce sight for too many of us.
Using these results from the annual Star Counts, CPRE lobbies government and local authorities to tackle light pollution and also highlight which ‘dark sky’ areas need to be protected and enhanced by strong policies.
In short, Star Count is fun and it can help protect one of the greatest wonders of the world: a dark sky glittering with stars.

  • To learn more and join Star Count, click here



Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Be a star… and join this year’s Star Count

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This year’s Star Count is being held next month.
From Saturday, February 6, to Sunday, February 14, CPRE, the countryside charity, is asking citizen scientists – that’s all of us! – to choose a clear night, look to the skies and see how many stars we can spot within Orion.
If you don’t know where Orion is, we will be offering a guiding hand between now and Star Count. We’ll keep you posted!
It’s a fantastic, easy piece of stargazing for children and adults alike – no telescopes are required – and can be done safely from your garden, balcony or bedroom window.
We are holding this event as star-filled skies provide one of the most magical sights our natural world has to offer. We want to reconnect people across the country with the wonder of a truly dark sky.
CPRE research shows light pollution is leaving fewer stars than ever visible to the naked eye – and we need your help to track how light levels are changing.
We will keep you informed throughout, but the first thing we’d like you to do is register your interest in Star Count 2021. You can do that here
We’ll catch up soon. Until then, keep safe.
To read about last year’s Star Count, click here

Thursday, January 14, 2021