Crockenhill Youth Council

Since the announcement by the WASPs Rugby Club on 11th November regarding ‘securing’ land within the South East, many residents have contacted Crockenhill Parish Council with their various questions and concerns. Unfortunately, we have been unable to answer many of these questions with any certainty. We can only assume the location of the land in question is within the Parish of Crockenhill as this was one of the two potential sites that was put forward by WASPS as part of Sevenoaks District Council’s new Local Plan consultation. We have spoken with several Crockenhill landowners north of the parish for clarification and have been assured that they have no plans to sell their Grade 2/3 agricultural land or smallholdings. However, we do know that Swanley Town Council own a section of land within the parish - an area around Petham Farm. We also know that they held an extraordinary meeting on 30th October in which the only item on the agenda for this meeting (which the public were excluded from) was ‘Petham Farm agreement’. In terms of publicly available information, we can only find two documents on Swanley Town Council’s website relating to this potential development. One was their response to Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan consultation earlier this year in which they OBJECTED to the WASPS stadium, and the other was the agenda item on 30th October. It would appear that Swanley Town Council has, at some point during this year, privately changed its position - despite overwhelming public objection locally. It is not surprising that residents expect Crockenhill Parish Council to have been consulted regarding a significant agreement on land within their parish. It came as a surprise to us when Crockenhill Parish land was originally earmarked as a potential site within the consultation. Crockenhill Parish Council feel that they, and the public, have been deliberately kept in the dark throughout the whole process. We can only assume that plans, meetings, and agreements have been conducted entirely behind closed doors, without transparency, and against our wishes. We are appalled that Swanley Town Council, a neighbouring council, believe it appropriate to conduct themselves in this way. We have requested information from Swanley Town Council regarding this and are awaiting their official response. Speaking about the WASP’s announcement, Sevenoaks District Council Member and Chair of Crockenhill Parish Council, Cllr. Rachel Waterton said: “We have been blindsided. Whilst other local councils, groups, and residents are working together to protect the greenbelt from inappropriate development, we believe Swanley Town Council is working against us. With so many other large sporting facilities close by, a sports stadium on agricultural land within a rural location, near an already overstretched road network (often gridlocked) is not the development that the local area either wants or needs. This development is going to hinder considerably more residents north of the district than it will benefit.”

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The Parish Council has joined the Hedgeway Highway initiative. We have surrounds available for sale (£1.50 each) from the Parish Council office. A hedgehog Highway is a 5 inch gap in a fence or wall allowing access for Hedgehogs. These gaps are essential in the battle to prevent the extinction of our endangered spiky friends. The Hedgehog Highway allows hedgehogs to: *Forage for food *Meet mates to breed *Access nesting sites For more information, please visit www.hedgehogsrus..co.uk

Dear Residents, Emergency Planning Contact List Crockenhill Parish Council is in the process of updating its Emergency Plan. The Plan provides a framework for us, in the event of an emergency, to help those who may be vulnerable. Emergencies include power cuts, heavy snow and flooding. We are updating our lists and would like to know of anyone who may rely on services such as electrical equipment or delivery of medication; are on their own and have no family living nearby; or are elderly and more vulnerable. You do not have to be a certain age to qualify. In most cases this will likely be just a quick call in an emergency to make sure all is well. In other situations, it may be that more help is needed, so Councillors will work with other agencies to ensure that support/assistance is directed where needed most. We are also looking for more volunteers who may be able to help during an emergency. Obviously, Emergency Services are always the first port of call but there may be times when we need additional support for residents. For example, those with 4x4 vehicles may be able to assist getting people to hospital and getting shopping; those with a generator may be able to help people who rely on electrical equipment; those with Nursing experience may be able to help some of our most vulnerable. This is not intended to be a regular commitment, just help in an emergency situation. If you would like to be added to our Emergency contact list or register as a volunteer, please contact clerk@crockenhillpc.org.uk to request a short form which can be completed in a few minutes and returned to the Clerk by 28th Feb 2024. Thank you

Crockenhill Parish Council has published its response to Sevenoaks District Council's Local Plan consultation: https://www.crockenhillpc.org.uk/planning

Please come along to the public meeting on Thursday 21st December at 7.30pm, Crockenhill Village Hall, read the guidance being sent to all homes and importantly, TAKE PART in the consultation!

Local people can soon comment on the Council’s draft Local Plan, which includes proposals to meet the District’s future housing and development needs. Sevenoaks District Council is working on ‘Plan 2040’, a new Local Plan, which sets out what can be built and where over the next 15 years. Read more on the Planning page