Local News

Sittingbourne's very own 'Whistling Postman', Dale Howting, has won yet another award for his tireless fundraising work.

80-year-old Dale has cycled across all areas of the world raising money for local charities since 1977. He has raised over a quarter of a million pounds for charities and has been raising money for Demelza Hospice, The Kent Air Ambulance plus 29 other charities!

Dale famously now cycles on a static bike in the middle of the high street (at the entrance to Roman Square) from 8am every single day creating a fantastic community spirit here in the centre of Sittingbourne.

Dale has won the Halifax Bank's Kent 'Giving Extra Community Award' and has already raised £686 during January making a total of £1,506 for the current year. His total fund has now reached over £260,500. 

Well done Dale from everyone here at SFM Towers!

The government inspector who could eventually agree Swale Borough Council's Local Plan has published her interim findings.

The Local Plan is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate, who heard evidence from the council, developers and local groups about the council's proposed Local Plan, at the end of 2015.

Following a series of hearings, the inspector has now published her interim findings, which include:

• A target of 776 dwellings per year being built, for which the council needs to allocate sufficient additional sites;
• The Local Plan period is revised to 2014-31, making a total housing target of 13,192 dwellings over the whole 17 year period;
• The evidence base, particularly the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment were found to be compliant and sound;
• The Plan's settlement strategy of two planning areas is confirmed with the focus of development on the Kent Thames Gateway part of the Borough. A ‘proportional' boost to allocations in Faversham and rural areas in a sensitive way, without detriment to the settlement strategy is also recommended.
• Indicates the new housing need figure can be met without incursion on local landscape designations, but notes that this does not preclude use of countryside gap areas
• The Duty to Cooperate with neighbouring districts and key service providers during plan preparation and on the additional work to inform proposed modifications has been found to be met.
• There is no need to rely upon an early Local Plan Review and the Plan should plan positively for the full period to 2031.

Commenting on the findings, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News:"Throughout this part of the examination in public, we presented the case for 540 dwellings per year. It is therefore disappointing that the housing target has been increased and our concerns about the deliverability remain. But we have no choice but to plan for the new target. Some comfort can be gained from knowing that the inspector did not accept the arguments put to her by others that the target should have been in the region of 900-1200 dwellings per year. The approach we are taking to housing distribution has been found to be sound, so means we can now work towards identifying suitable sites to meet this higher target. This will not be easy - suitable brownfield sites have already been allocated and the new target will inevitably mean that additional green field sites will also need to be considered." 

There will now be a six week public consultation on modifications to the plan during the summer and any responses to the consultation will be sent to the Inspector before she issues her final report.

The Inspector's Interim Findings, plus all of the Local Plan documents and evidence, an indicative programme and all the objectors' statements can be viewed at www.swale.gov.uk/examination-document-library.

Pic: Google Streetview

A man, believed to be in his 60's, and a dog had to be rescued earlier this afternoon (Wednesday 3rd February) by firefighters from a 20 foot hole in Matts Hill Road, Hartlip.

KFRS (Kent Fire And Rescue Service) were called shortly after 1.20pm this afternoon and had to use a short extension ladder to help both of them to safety.

There were no apparent injuries.

Update Kent Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on the M20 late last night (Thursday 28th January).

The incident occurred at around 10.03pm on the London-bound carriageway between Junctions 4 (Leybourne) and 3 (M26). A Fiat Ducato van collided with a white DAF truck close to the junction with the M26. The van then caught fire and the driver was reported to have been unable to escape the vehicle.

Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and ambulance crews attended the incident and the driver was declared dead at the scene. Efforts are on-going to establish the identity of the deceased and contact next of kin.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who saw either of the vehicles in the moments leading up to it to get in touch. If you have any information please call the witness appeal line on 01622 798538.

Following overnight investigations Kent Police were able to fully re-open the M20 in both directions shortly after 6:30am today.