Urgent 2 - Fisherman's Beach
I've attached the most recent leaflet that is being sent to people who've objected to the planning proposal and also those who attended the crazy meeting at the Town Hall on 10th June, when most of the Councillors said they couldn't vote and then eventually, there weren't enough left to vote anyway. A farce!
New leaflet can be downloaded here.
We are having a get together at Fisherman's Beach this Saturday 26th, from 12 till 3pm. It's just a way of getting everyone together to discuss views and the way forward.
Helen Severs, Hillside St, Hythe
Urgent - Fisherman's Beach
I've been trying to raise awareness in the Hythe Town about Shepway Council's proposals to unsympathetically redevelop Fisherman's beach, demolishing the historic lifeboat buildings.
My leaflet, distributed to 600 homes can be downloaded here.
The Council has just arranged an Extraordinary Meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday 10th June 2010, at 6.45 pm. They will deciding on the application at that meeting.
There is still time to go online to see the Planning Application and object. -
The technical objections I'm making are as follows:- Everyone is shocked that the plan is to remove the historic lifeboat buildings. Policy BE6 of the Shepway Local Plan (SLP) states that "the Planning Authority will refuse permission for development which would harm the character of groups of historic buildings".
There is insufficient recreational open space on the site for the dwellings (Local plan policy CO25).
The overall density and height of the development (19m above ground level) is not in accordance with Policy BE1 as "Development should accord with existing development in the locality, where the site and surrounding development are physically and visually interrelated in respect of building form, mass, height and elevational details". Both the CPRE (Protect Kent) and English Heritage have expressed their concern regarding the appearance of the western seafront as the 3 Martello Towers will be dwarfed by the flats etc. Up to this date, all previous development in the area has been up to the height of the Martello Towers. If consent is given for 19m high buildings, all other properties can assume a right to be built higher.
The boardwalk will be dangerous at high water and does not comply with DEFRA Access to the Countryside Coastal Margin (England) Order 2010 as there should be a clear 2m either side of the coastal route.
Range Road is narrow and there are already safety problems with the large lorries accessing the industrial buildings. The new homes will create excess traffic.
Fisherman's Beach was earmarked to be the new site for Hythe Swimming pool, ideal because it was within walking distance of the town.
The proposal to raise the ground level of the site increases the risk of flooding elsewhere, contravening Policy U6 of the SLP.
I really hope you can help me!
Kind regards,
Helen Severs, Hillside St, Hythe
Some figures to ponder
Based on Sainsbury's main justification in developing the store ie. that (according to THEIR SURVEY) 63% of Hythe shoppers leave town (if its not Hythe we are talking about - then any justification for such a huge store is worthless anyway)
OK, even if this is true? let's see how that pans out.
Population of Hythe = 15,000.
Based on 1 person doing the weekly shop (from a family of 4) that indicates 3750 shoppers leave Hythe per week.
Sainsburys market share in the SE according to their website is 19.9%.
Taking Sainsburys market share of those leaving the town, 19% of 3750. Gives us 746 ie 746 of the (grocery!) shoppers that leave Hythe, supposedly go to Sainsburys.
Even if you take half the 3750 thats still ONLY 1875.
How on earth did a Hythe Town Council, Shepway District Council, SDC Planning Officers and SDC Planning Control Committee, fail to CONTROL the size (and style) of this development?? - judging by this out of context eyesore and the state of Folkestone Town Centre 'a prison and a wind tunnel for a shopping centre' it really looks like the people in charge haven't got a clue!
Even if you take everyone! (ie no one goes to Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Lidl or elsewhere), how on earth can they justify a shop sized to cater for numbers in excess of the whole population of Hythe??!! (15,000).
The size of Sainsburys development in Hythe cannot be justified for a town of 15,000 that already has 3 supermarkets. Sainsburys have done the same as they plan to do in Faversham - find a town without a Sainsburys - purchase the largest plot of land for sale near the town (easier to obtain planning), then fill it. All the time ensuring they use specialists in planning consent, such as companies like GKA and WYG, to cover every planning issue, months or even years before the public are made aware of the plans. Then handle all media to make it look like everything is sweetness and light. Thus leaving towns defenceless and the public with little time to fight against unnecessary development forced upon them by the grocery multinationals drive for profit and market dominance. They obviously don't give a jot about Hythe, it's just about profit!
Back to the figures...Only if every man woman and child in Hythe shopped in Sainsburys, or of ALL the shoppers leaving the town went to Sainsburys 4 times a week (who'd want to, or could afford to do a family superstore shop four times a week?!) could they begin to justify the figures.
Again that's assuming those who don't shop at Sainsburys ALL change brand loyalty - again extremely unlikely.
And finally its not going to bring revenue into the town. Those leaving the town are taking revenue elsewhere. Having a Sainsburys in the town is not going to help sustain the town with greater than 99% of Sainsburys revenue going to Sainsburys.
What is now going 'out of the town' can only increase. It'll just be a different site closer to home that sucks the lifeblood out of the High Street.
Floorspace
18th July 2005 - Application Y05/1003/SH for motorway service area
floorspace 5795 sq m
floorspace 5458 sqm
More of Hythe under threat!
As well as plans to redevelop Brockhill Park School, there now appears to be additional plans to move two schools (Foxwood and Highview) to the Brockhill Site.
Issues: Increased traffic, noise and pollution. Access for children with significant physical disability. More green space disappearing under concrete.
Options: Relocation of both schools to EITHER the Brockhill site, or the former Channel school site in Park Farm Road, Folkestone (currently vacant since the demolition of the previous school)
For all those who have sampled the gridlock in Saltwood and surrounding roads during the 'school run', and those who value the green spaces that (at present) surround Brockhill Park please put your objections in writing before 5pm 25th Feb to:
David Adams
Area Children's Services Officer
Mid Kent Area Education Office
Kroner House
Eurogate Business Park
Ashford Kent TN24 8XU
or email: school.consultations@kent.gov.uk
9ft wall with 3ft metal screen & balustrade
Download the plans from the UK planning portal. Measure the high point of the base plinth wall and the metal balustrade - this is a reasonable estimate from a plan (with so few measurements). Look at the human figures on the front elevation for a quick comparison with the wall and screening that towers above them. Our posters used these plans as reference for scale.Traffic/Parking
From Meyer Brown report - justifying the parking spaces requiredFriday Vehicles = 2621. Saturday Vehicles = 2539.
2 day total = 5160 or Average 2580
Taken over 6 days = 15480 (greater than the whole population of Hythe!!)
The store will actually be open 7 days a week and one would assume some days would be a little less. That said 15,000 seems a fair estimate.
Linked trips?
Who is going to walk over a kilometre from the middle of Military road to the end of one of the longest high streets in the country, do their shopping and walk another km all the way back again? Who in their right mind is going to shop in a superstore and put their weekly frozen food purchases in their car while they go shopping - absolutely no one!
Who is capable of doing a full weekly shop (45 mins - 1hr) in Sainsbury's and then sprinting 2km to the end of town and back while visiting as many shops as possible in the limited parking time remaining?
History & Heritage
Take one historic Kent Town. Beautiful High Street, wonderful green spaces and walks. Take the largest plot of land in the town and drop in a retail park industrial grey box, made of steel and clad with materials that look more at home on the moon than in a town with 1000 years of architectural history.
Ensure it sits on the pavement so no one can ignore it and rip out most of the greenery that gets in the way. Add lights and noise from 7am to 11 pm.
What would you rather have?. What would the local residents rather have.
Hythe becomes IMfamous for its GIANT Sainsburys. - how sad and short sighted.
Latest visual online UK Planning! - YUK!
Still no view from the front, what's the big secret?. No one, apart from a couple of planning officers and Sainsbury's themselves really understand how big this building is - and it looks like they're not going to let you fully appreciate it until it's too late for anyone to complain.
No front 3D view published - despite requests to planning officers, No 3D animation published, despite repeated requests. It is VERY obvious Sainsbury's don't want anyone to comprehend the full extent of the visual impact or the shear amount of ground this development will cover in steel and cladding. Talking of which, just to make matters worse - it looks from the new visual as if the sides are to be part cladded with giant puke yellow/green tiles, more suited to a 70's underground urinal - have the architects even visited Hythe?. Check the links page for the planning portal or try the direct link to the image here and the amazingly empty Military road view here ensuring you see the 'saved' trees and not the 21' high Sainsburys totem sign to the left out of view, or the vast storefront or huge Sainsbury's sign on that obscured in this one view, far in the distance.
Whis is the road empty?, because Sainsbury's propose to put in, width restricting 'kerb build outs' all along this part of the Military road to prevent ANYONE parking. It also shows parking spaces for tourist coaches on the entrance and exit to the site??? (very unlikely). and further along even more 'kerb build outs' restricting parking for local residents and tourists?? - who said Sainsbury's could radically change Military road to support their business?. All in all, Sainsburys want to build restrictive kerb build outs in four places on Military road, add a crossing (with a no parking zone) restricting parking further for everyone unless they use the store. In effect Military road will belong to Sainsburys.
Lastly, note: - the building covers so much of the site that the rear of this giant superstore is not even in view. Should we abandon our heritage an just rename this town, Cinque Port Sainsburys?
How many times does it need to be said, this building is totally out of context with Hythe in design and scale, does not enhance the local amenity, will cause traffic problems, noise pollution, light pollution and traffic pollution for local residents.
If this proposal goes through it will set a precedent for any developer to build whatever they want in Shepway with regards to scale or design, provided they tick the appropriate boxes. I seems there is little point in having any planning control committee when design and scale is ignored?. Is there no one to protect Hythe's heritage?? Why has the design of the site NOT be bought into question? Why has the scale of the project NOT be bought into question?
Meeting again update!
UPDATE from Shepway District Council
'It is most likely that the application will be heard at the following committee meeting on the 15 December.' Owain East, Media & Communications Assistant, Excecutive Services, Shepway District Council
If you'd rather see a store with virtually the same floorspace as THE VAST M20 SERVICES STOP24 in Military Road, built ON TOP of a wall that starts at eye level and rises OVER YOUR HEAD to 9ft + tall with a galvanised metal ballustrade and metal screening ON TOP OF THAT then take no action.
MAKE NO MISTAKE - this view of Hythe will be forever lost to metal girders, metal cladding, constant car noise and pollution. If you thought the current buildings were big - you will be shocked!
Take action and complain now - join Devstop or the Care About Hythe Group to find out more.
20th October - Decision deferred!!
The planning committee voted unanimously to defer the decision on the proposal, despite being pushed by both SDC's Chief Planning Officer Chris Lewis and Major Projects Planning Officer Ben Geering.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce spoke glowingly of what this superstore would do to regenerate Hythe. It was not mentioned that the Hythe Street traders (from face to face discusion) are mainly against the development - strange that!
In his summing up, Chief Planning Officer Chris Lewis did not mention the style of the building even though virtually all of the planning committee members raised considerable concern over the ugly design. Are the MAJOR design issues just to being sidelined? - make up your own minds.
At least this sends a clear message to Sainsbury's - it is a bad design, it is too big, it is not in keeping and it is not needed. It will be damaging to the High Street and other established businesses, will cause traffic problems, pollution, damage quality of life and harm the conservation area. This list goes on and on. How anyone can see this as regeneration is beyond belief!.
Obviously Sainsbuy's have purchased this land as a strategic acquisition and will do everything to get this through next time. Please make the most of this time and post further objection directly to Shepway DC - see contacts page for details.
And let's just quash this myth!
SDC's Chief Planning officer Chris Lewis is reported to have stated in his summing up "to refuse the application would mean loss of trade from the town." What TOTAL rubbish. Loss of trade to Sainsbury's maybe. Hythe's other supermarkets are trading well, letting Sainsbury's compete would only DAMAGE trade in the town. There is a definite theme developing here.
Care About Hythe Group
We have been joined by the Care About Hythe Group
This has been set up to highlight what is special about Hythe and how it could face devastation by the development of a massive Sainsbury's superstore.
Many people are unaware of the true size and scale of the planned Sainsbury’s in Military Road, Hythe. People we have spoken to are under the impression that the store will be the size of the current Smiths building. This is very wrong! It is nearer the size of the Stop 24 service station building at junction 11 off the M20 at Stanford. Do we need a development of this size in Hythe? See the CAHG page for more information.
In the short time our Facebook group has been in operation, we have been joined by over 70 willing supporters who share our concerns and want to protect our town. We would like to thank you all and encourage more people to become members of this group.
We do not want to see Hythe shops boarded up and those that remain taken over by charities.
Smiths jobs vacuum myth
We have been passed some information which clears up another myth from Sainsburys marketing machine, some councillors and the Channel Chamber of Commerce (whose article in Herald states "As everyone is aware, the property on Military Road was vacated by Smiths Medical and its departure has had a significant impact on the local economy and jobs market".).
From Robert N. Hanvik , Vice President, Communications Smiths Medical. We did move our International headquarters from Hythe to nearby Ashford recently, for a variety of reasons. However, we retain a facility in Hythe (Reachfields), and we actually have expanded our presence in that facility. Regarding Ashford, virtually all of the people who worked for us in Hythe agreed to transfer to our new Ashford facility, and employment has been stable there.
DEVSTOP
Help stop this proposed blight on the beautiful town of Hythe by a vast Sainsburys supermarket
DEVSTOP has been started in response to Sainsbury's plan to build a new superstore in the small Kent town of Hythe.
With only 15k residents the town already has 3 supermarkets (the same as neighboring Folkestone with 47k residents).
The planned store design is nothing more than an industrial grey box, more suited to an industrial estate rather than a town rich in history, heritage and architecture dating back almost 1000 years.
Not only does the proposed development not reflect surrounding architecture, it will devastate the tree lined entrance to the east of the town, cause traffic mayhem, blight the lives of residents, especially those in the grade 2 listed buildings in Military Terrace and monopolise over 50% of the TOTAL retail floorspace of Hythe's major stores
Hythe is just a battlefield - who will pay for the battle?
It is clear Hythe is being used and abused as part of a supermarket turf war. The strategic location of the site to any supermarket chain is obvious - and it appears its acquisition and development is more important than the town itself. Please take time out to object to this proposal - see the contacts page for details
Design/appearance - completely out of context with local architecture
The proposed building design is not in keeping with the local town architecture. None of the local historic architectural design styles or building materials have been reflected or used in the current buildings.
Repeating past mistakes; ie using the current building as a reason to allow Sainsburys to construct another industrial, utilitarian building on the site should not be permitted. Every member of the Town Council who mentioned the current Smiths building (at the public meeting of Hythe Town Council on this matter in July 09), spoke of the current building with disdain; as an ugly, architectural mistake from the 1970's. The current (Smiths building) was a modern, contemporary, functional design when it was planned and passed back then, and it is exactly the same type of contemporary, functional building that is being proposed again, decades later. Out of context with local architecture, materials and landscaping.
So much effort has been made to have new developments in Hythe in keeping with local style and make use of materials that enable the designs sit comfortably with local architecture. It is utter MADNESS TO ALLOW SAINSBURYS TO SPOIL ALL THIS WORK by erecting a GREY INDUSTRIAL UNIT the size of TWO OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOLS.
The local and district Councils have the very rare opportunity to ensure this particular past architectural and planning mistake does not happen again. Our very own Hythe Town Councillors requested that Sainsburys revise the building design to something more in keeping with local architecture, but there has been NO response from Sainsburys on this matter. It appears that Sainsburys will build whatever style of building they wish and both Hythe Town Council and Shepway District Council are powerless to stop them?.
Only your opposition will stop this - act now before its too late!
Street Scene
The proposed construction and landscaping will irreparably damage the street scene in Military Road. The proposed removal of virtually ALL the south facing trees on the site is again, against the requests from the Hythe Town Council for screening of the front of the site by trees. Along with being an environmental disaster for the area it will certainly have a detrimental effect on the conservation area opposite (Royal Military Canal).
The current Smiths building sits many metres back from the public footpath and highway, and is hidden by the aforementioned trees. The imposing structure is softened by its distance from the highway and the full height of the central building is easily masked by the surrounding trees. Other buildings on the site are relatively low in comparison and are in no way comparable to the combined height and volume of the current proposal.
The current proposed building right on the public highway with no tree screening, (accept for the very small consideration for the revision of the SE corner) will be overbearing and completely ruin the street scene adjacent to a conservation area, permanently marring the entrance to an historic town. Reaching most of its full height just feet from the footpath this building and raised southern boundary wall will be an imposing and unavoidable advert for a multinational at the expense of an area of beauty and conservation.
The large amount of glass and close proximity to the road will also raise reflected noise levels in both the Royal Military Canal conservation area and for local residents.
Same story from Sainsburys - just different town/target
The same Sainsburys take over story is cropping up all over! - right down to the 'we've done a survey etc etc'!!! . The excuses from Sainsburys here are EXACTLY the same one's that are being used for Hythe. No to Sainsbury store in Bishop's Waltham, more info here and another campaign against Sainsburys supermaket here in Bromsgrove - Bromsgrove opposition to Sainsburys store proposal. Amazingly the sames excuses are being wheeled out again here - opposition to Sainsburys Westhoughton store
Sainsburys own survey figures for Hythe, refer to OTHER towns!
Sainsbury's representative stated that 63% of 1000 people questioned in Dymchurch, Folkestone and Hythe said they shopped outside of Hythe.
Well, you would expect shoppers from Folkestone and Dymchurch to shop outside Hythe!. Let's put a stop to this manipulation data straight away. Nowhere is it clearly stated who was surveyed, what other questions were asked, in what context they were asked, which demographic was surveyed.
In reality, you just have to ask the right question to get the answer you want, so this 63% is pretty much meaningless. Let us hope that SDC can see the obvious, rather than reading and accepting figures without question.
The High Street in 6 years?
This government document paints a dire picture of our High Streets future if Supermarkets are allowed to continue unchallenged. HIGH STREET BRITAIN: 2015. Quotes:
Some studies show that 50% of turnover from local retailers is returned to the local economy. However large retailers may return as little as 5% to the local economy.
According to a survey by The Grocer, 36% of small shop owners are buying special offer goods from supermarkets and reselling it in their stores as supermarkets can sell products to them cheaper than wholesalers.
Rushed through?
March 2009 - Sainsburys were asked if they were planning a superstore in Hythe - the answer to the public was NO. In fact Sainsburys or it's agent were in discussion with Smith Industries as far back as the beginning of 2007.
It seems a little odd that such a short time in comparison has been given to anyone wishing to wade through the mountains of paperwork, statistics and reports to formulate a response.
Shepway DC and Sainsburys have had nearly two years to prepare their case. The opposition have had just over 12 weeks. Does that seem right to you?
Don't count on free parking from Sainsburys
Sainsbury's make the most of a shortage of parking spaces in Kettering parking at 33p a minute .
Store signage dominates from the air
One look at the plans and this may have been missed. The word Sainsburys across a major part of the roof facing skywards. The storefront logos may dominate the views along Military road, but this one (which would cover the front of the 8 houses that make up Military Terrace), turns the whole area into one huge advert!
And it's not the first time - looking at the superstore roof north of Cheadle, Stockport, you can see the advertising from 100's of feet up.
It seems Hythe's own area of outstanding natural beauty is to be spoilt from both the ground and the air!
Worrying patterns
This is the top of the list of sponsors for Hythe Venetian Fete. Ummm -Think you've seen these names together somehwere else!
Roger De Haan Charitable TrustHythe Town Council
Smiths Medical
Sainsbury's Supermarkets
Shepway District Council
Imperial Hotel Hythe
Supermarkets to dominate food buying
How can anyone think a town like Hythe NEEDS 4 supermarkets. "In July, the Commons communities committee rejected government proposals to abolish the need test, saying "its removal from the planning process would present an unacceptable risk to town centres". No to Tesco store in Sheringham,
Trees & Green Banks
Nearly all the trees on the south of the development are due to be removed (the three here may stay). Hythe's tree lined entrance from the west will be devastated despite requests from Hythe Town Councillors for tree screening. No more low green banks, just walls and carpark. And just in case you missed it - this is where they will errect a 21 foot tall Sainsburys sign. ie the same height as the chimney pots on Military terrace.
Backing from English Heritage
English Heritage have raised significant objection to the proposals form Sainsburys for their large monolithic structure.
Read extracts from their response to Shepway District Council's Planning Officer on the site here.
Backing from Protect Kent
We would like to thank Protect Kent in backing our objection to the Sainsburys superstore development in Hythe.
Read extracts from their response to Shepway District Council's Planning Officer: Ben Geering on the site here.
Hythe - just another opportunity for Sainsburys
More evidence of Hythe as a target in the supermarket turf war. Across the country, the strategy is the same. More on Sainsburys plans here and here
Last Updated
Home | 06.20.10 12:37
Fisherman's Beach - More Help!
Home | 06.02.10 17:17
Fisherman's Beach - Help!
Home | 02.15.10 17:23
New Schools Built on Brockhill Green Spaces
Home | 01.24.10 15:43
Some figures to ponder
Home | 12.12.09 17:39
History Heritage
Click here to go to the Care About Hythe page.
Cllr Carroll resigns over planning
Cllr Carroll resigned over planning hypocrisy. David Owen (dept Mayor) spoke against the democratically voted decision against the Imperial Lands development. So it doesn't matter how HTC vote, their input doesn't seem to matter a jot!.
Stores do get turned down
Plans scrapped for Sainsburys store in Dorking... more here
Eight years ago, the Suffolk town of Saxmundham said no to a giant new Tesco. Today, local shops and suppliers are thriving... more here
English Heritage ignored
English Heritage's strong objections seem to have gone unnoticed. Are SDC trying to sweep them under the carpet?
Change of use
Let's not forget this site is currently offices and workshops - NOT RETAIL. Changing the sites use opens up many more opportunities for residents lives to be blighted. Complain before it is too late!