YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Yorkletts Residents’ Association Newsletter

ISSUE 1 IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to the first edition of our residents’ association newsletter.

I have been asked to explain why it is important EVERY Yorkletts resident joins YRA. There are many good reasons for doing so but the most vivid in my mind was exemplified in the Association’s re-birth that occurred on 19th April 2018, at Hernhill Village Hall.

Imagine returning home to find unexpected work started on land nearby or adjoining your property destined to turn into something terrible. Worse, you then discover the Council have approved the works – WITHOUT even notifying you or any other affected residents.

This truly awful scenario sadly has become a reality for too many of us prompting a small group of residents to form “The Yorkletts Action Group.” It was this group that triggered our re-formation during the public meeting attended by over 60 concerned Yorkletts residents in April.

Sadly, as individuals, we live in a time where we can no longer rely on Canterbury City or Swale Council notifying us about planning applications. We are also more vulnerable than most communities.

Yorkletts is surrounded by beautiful countryside

giving us lovely views (including the seaside) and access to the countryside and nature trails enjoyed by us and many others. On the flip side the land is accessible and appears unproductive, making it a prime target for dumping, litter and dangerous opportunistic Shanty Town Developments.

With your support YRA will not only alert you about potential problems but provide an irrepressible force to overcome them.

Back in the 1990’s a previous YRA, helped by ward councilors removed many of our local threats and successfully brought much of the surrounding countryside back under sympathetic management. We hope to recover and build on this position by using the same model.

We can only achieve this and much more (see associated articles) if our Councilors are convinced we and they have the backing of the WHOLE community.

If you have not already joined us, please complete the application form on the last page of this newsletter. Remember we ALL need YOU to help by joining. If you do not join, then we cannot keep you informed and our actions in trying to make Yorkletts a nicer place to live will be weakened.

Neighbourhood Watch Find out how to join your local neighbourhood watch programme. Chris Payne, the local Neighbourhood Watch representative explains about the programme.

Fly Tipping, Litter and Drainage A report detailing the progress made by committee member Peter Twist, who is dealing with the Fly Tipping, Litter and Drainage issues in and around Yorkletts.

Why We Need A Residents’ Association By David Warry (committee member)

We aim to preserve our rural identity. To keep our village and countryside safe, clean, quiet and friendly by identifying areas of concern and tackling them collectively.

YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Yorkletts Neighbourhood Watch

Our Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) is a loose association of like-minded Yorkletts residents with an interest in protecting property and possessions by being vigilant of strangers and being aware of current criminal practices that might be employed. Contact is maintained with the Kent Police Force who send out regular information updates on local crime, this practice is duplicated by many NHW’s countrywide.

These updates are forwarded by e-mail to all local NHW members who are then forewarned about criminal activities that can be expected in the area. Any other subjects which impact on local life can also be addressed by the NHW such as road safety. Readers will have seen the new yellow “30 MPH Please slow down in our village” signs which were procured and distributed by the watch.

Fly Tipping, Litter and Drainage Issues by Peter Twist (committee member)

Fly Tipping and litter that had accumulated on the slip road from Dargate Road to the A299 was reported to Serco in January, February, March, April, May and June of this year. The fly tipping was eventually cleared in mid-August and I understand a litter pick had been booked for early September.

After I brought it to their attention the Whitstable Gazette ran a half page report on 23rd August highlighting the litter and fly tipping problems in Yorkletts.

Fly tipping and litter on High Street Road, Plum Pudding Lane and the A299 flyover has been reported to Swale Council and this has resulted in three clearances with another due in early September.

Kent County Council have been contacted regarding blocked drains and drainage ditches, but only limited work has been carried out so far. KCC have also been made aware of the bad road surfaces at each end of Dargate Road. The High Street end has been dealt with as has Foxes Cross Road. Foxes Cross end of Dargate Road is also now completed.

As these types of roadworks cost money there is reluctance to get work done so persistency appears to be the key.

The road sweeping service has now been reinstated following the water pipe installation.

JOINING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Residents wishing to be part of the NHW should contact Chris Payne on 07902 431939 or chrispayne76@hotmail.com. They will receive an information booklet and a window sticker together with advice on how to deal with unsolicited callers.

KEEPING YORKLETTS LITTER FREE

If you see any litter along Dargate Road please pick it up. Many members of the Yorkletts Resident’ Association (including committee members) are already getting involved in this and are filling a bin bag each week.

Neighbourhood Watch Update by Chris Payne (committee member)

mailto:chrispayne76@hotmail.com

YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

NEW YRA WEBSITE COMING SOON

The wonderful Jonathan at Fairly Marvellous is currently designing us our own website. We will then be able to keep you up to date with the latest news concerning Yorkletts.

I will just start by saying what a great turnout we had at the meeting on Her nhill Village Hall as it was nice to see such a number of reside nts and e specially for me after living here for four years, I met some of you for the first time!

After the Residents Association was formed we all took on various roles which we felt were important to us individually and that were expressed as important by those at the meeting. So, at the present time, Jenene and myself are tasked with keeping an eye on the planning applications that are submitted to both Canterbury and Swale planning departments.

This really sprung to light when we had an application to build several new industrial units at the Whitstable end of Dargate Road. This was objected to by a number of residents, and even though a few were in favour of the plans, we had to make the judgement call and the committee unanimously felt that we needed to object to the proposal. Therefore, when the public meeting was held to discuss the industrial estate we were very fortunate that one of the committee members could attend and object. We are happy to report that the planning was rejected, and I hope the majority of the residents agree with the outcome.

I know some residents are worried about “big brother is watching” but let me try and reassure you all. We have decided that the principle stance we will take is to object to any planning application for additional houses or industrial units in the area. We will also endeavor to notify all of the members of

the Yorkletts Residents Association if we feel a contentious development application is being made., which is why we are collating emails where possible, this will give you the chance to individually comment to the authorities, if you wish.

I do want to stress that we, as a principle, have no objection to individual development of our own houses and in fact I have one planned myself!

The more of us that are members of the Yorkletts Residents Association the more influence we will have with the authorities but more importantly we will have better knowledge of what it is you all want from Yorkletts.

Yorkletts is a lovely place to live and whilst we do have some issues, certainly on the planning side we are just trying to maintain it as such.

NEW YRA BANK ACCOUNT

We now have a bank account so that all of your membership fees can be safely looked after. We are now able to offer a BACS transfer service for paying membership fees. Details on the membership form.

JOINING THE YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

If you haven’t already joined and would like to then please complete the membership form attached to this newsletter. Going forward only members of the YRA will have a vote on how we deal with important issues and receive newsletters and updates.

If you completed the original form (prior to public meeting) this doesn’t count, and you will need to join by completing the new form.

Building Developments in Yorkletts by Justin Tuck (committee member)

YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

I was asked why I became a committee member so here are my reasons.

Having lived in Yorkletts for 40 years there have obviously been many changes. When young my children were able to play out in the street, I used to regularly walk to Dargate Post Office – yes there was one there years ago. Now, even walking along the road with my dog I sometimes feel vulnerable.

Homeowners have improved their properties over the years, which has been great for Yorkletts, but it now seems many properties are being purchased by developers who are building several houses on land where there was originally only one, causing the local infrastructure to struggle.

Reporting Incidents or concerns to the YRA commitee

If you have any concerns or if there is something that you want us to look at, or comment upon, or report to the appropriate council, please do let us know. After all this is your association and we can only do what you would like us to do, if you tell us! So please feel free to contact yorklettsresidentsassociation@gmail.com with the information.

Email is preferred but if you don’t have it call our mobile 07396361288, you can even drop us a letter or speak to us in person.

We make a commitment to bringing up your point at the next committee meeting. Obviously, we will try to take on your issue, but in order to do this,

Yorkletts does not have a focal point for residents to meet, setting something up would be great for Yorkletts. One fantastic asset is Victory Wood, and we must thank those hard-working committee members who fought so tenaciously to stop the proposed rubbish dump.

I want to be involved in trying to make our village a safe, clean and pleasant place to live.

we will hold a full discussion and a vote on any task, this not only will be fed back to you, but it will also be entered into our minutes.

Our recent experience shows that when we have contacted either Swale or Canterbury Councils, we have been met by the lack of reported events or complaints to help our situation. So, we are trying to build up our own “log of events” and appeal to you all to let us know of things that have happened or are happening in Yorkletts or the

surrounding are, so that we can provide a basis for our ongoing conversations.

But remember the more of you that join us in the association the more we will know what you want and the more weight we will have. We hope you like what we have done so far, and as always in these situations what we can reflect in a newsletter is only a very brief summary of the many meetings we have had.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR YRA COMMITEE

E-mail : yorklettsresidentsassociation@gmail.com

Telephone: 07396361288

Why I became a Committee member By Christine Wilkins (committee member)

mailto:yorklettsresidentsassociation@gmail.commailto:yorklettsresidentsassociation@gmail.com

IN THIS ISSUEISSUE 1Why We Need A Residents’ AssociationFly Tipping, Litter and Drainage IssuesNeighbourhood Watch UpdateJOINING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCHKEEPING YORKLETTS LITTER FREENEW YRA WEBSITE COMING SOONBuilding Developments in YorklettsNEW YRA BANK ACCOUNTJOINING THE YORKLETTS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONReporting Incidents or concerns to the YRA commiteeWhy I became a Committee memberCONTACT DETAILS FOR YRA COMMITEE