The Barham Downs Action Group (BDAG) is coordinating the campaign against the proposed Highland Court development. If approved, the development will cover 300 acres and the building of 150 retirement homes, 300 holiday homes, an expansion of the existing industrial area and two sports stadiums. BDAG is organising the delivery of a leaflet to every address in the villages of Bridge, Adisham, Barham, Bishopsbourne, Kingston, Bekesbourne and Patrixbourne. To download the leaflet click here. For news on the campaign email hcaction@hotmail.com or follow Barham Downs Action Group on Facebook. 

Bridge Parish Council debated the Cantley proposal for house building on the A2 site at its meeting of 9 November. The proposal is for 40 houses to be built on the A2 site, including affordable homes, with the recreation ground handed over to the village in perpetuity and land allocated for a village hall and associated car park. With 8 councillors in attendance the vote was 6-2 in favour of the proposal. The councillors who voted against argued that it was premature to support it. The head teacher of Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary School has written to the council opposing access to the site via the private road that serves the school and nursing home. The Parish Council is drafting a leaflet that will be circulated to the village.

Cantley have circulated to all addresses in the village a proposal for building 40 new homes off Patrixbourne Road by the A2, of which up to 12 could be affordable housing (see here). The proposal is made as part of a package which includes transferring the recreation ground lease to Bridge Parish Council for community use in perpetuity, and allocating land for a new village hall and associated car park. Villagers will be asked to vote on the proposals on Saturday, 25 November at the village hall.

Bridge Parish Council has voted to oppose the proposed Highland Court development, and to approach neighbouring parish councils to see if it is possible to present a common position against the plans. ConserveBridge welcomes this news. To read our Commentary article “Bridge too far” click here.

Emily Shirley and Michael Rundell, who brought the original action against Mountfield on air quality grounds, are seeking advice on appealing to the Court of Appeal against Mr Justice Dove’s decision to throw out the case. A decision is expected shortly. To read our Commentary article “Bridge too far” click here.

Quinn Estates and Highland Court Group (HICO) presented their plans for the development of Highland Court Farm on Thursday, 28 September at Bridge Village Hall. The large area of land that could be developed has dismayed many villagers. See our Commentary column Highland sting! Developers unveil ambitious plans to build on Highland Court Farm.

In the High Court Mr Justice Dove has rejected the case brought against the proposed Mountfield development by Emily Shirley and Michael Rundell. You can read the judgement here. We understand that the applicants are considering an appeal. ConserveBridge welcomes this news.

Kent Online has reported that the Conservative government has set new housing targets. At present Canterbury is expected to build 800 new homes per year. The government’s proposed new target is 1096 per year. You can read the news story here.

We understand that Mr Justice Dove has thrown out the case against the proposed Mountfield development. The case had been brought my Emily Shirley and Michael Rundell on air pollution grounds. See Commentary: A bad news week for the environment and human rights.

In a surprising development, Bridge Parish Council asked members of the public to leave the meeting of Thursday, 14 September while they discussed the Bridge Neighbourhood Plan. ConserveBridge urges the Parish Council to make public a full transcript of the discussions that took place as soon as possible. See Commentary: A bad news week for the environment and human rights.