Sandgate Escarpment - Folkestone's very own mini Amazon Forest is in danger from developers
This woodland complete with recognised footpaths and trail is one of the most undisturbed and pristine environments in East Kent and yet only yards away from bustling Sandgate. It is home to rare bats, snakes and other flora and fauna as well as two of the most undisturbed Martello Towers still standing today.
This solitude is under threat of immediate development by owner of Westenhanger Castle John Forge. Under normal circumstances this development would not be allowed but he has applied for an 'enabling development'. This means that we, the public, fund the development by allowing him to sell land on the eastern side adjoining Military Hill on which 5 houses would be built. This would fund the turning of the Towers into holiday lets. To do this would entail 'landscaping' the area ie knocking down trees and vegetation and constructing a track through the Escarpment so cars could drive into the Towers.
BREAKING NEWS ...
PRESS A great article appeared in the FOLKESTONE HERALD August 18th and TODAY August 25th David Cowell & Cllr Tim Prater appeared live on Radio Kent . The Campaign will have a stall at the bank holiday Sandgate Sea Festival August 29th where you can sign the petition !!
Please help us fight off this vandalism by signing an online petition organised by Caller Tim Prater click here for link This petition will be delivered to Shepway Council who are meeting to approve the proposal in September 2011. You can also help by contacting your Councilor, English Heritage and MP and writing to local papers
NEWS LATEST 3rd August 2011 We have bought this development to the attention of the Council for the Protection of Rural England(CPRE) whose Kent officer Dr Hilary Newport was extremely interested to be informed
Sandgate Escarpment is situated above Sandgate Village and borders onto to Military Road Sandgate in the east, the Military Cemetery in the West and Shorncliffe Barrack in the north. It is about 2 kilometres in length but only abut 1/4 kilometre at its widest
Visiting Sandgate Escarpment
We do recommend a visit to this area it is very undisturbed as it is situated on the edge of a muddy cliff it is tranquil and rural with incredible views of the English Channel from Nick's View. This land belongs to us the people not greedy developers and has been used continuously since houses were built in Sandgate in the late 1700s . The best place to start your walk is at the Military Hill end you can cycle up this road from Sandgate. Its entrance is almost opposite Bybrook Way where 2 public footpaths sign post the way. The best route is the one going due north. It is fairly steep with some steps
 |
 |
WOODLAND VIEW & PUBLIC FOOTPATH the developer wants to move the route of the public footpath away from the Martello Towers |
|---|
Martello Towers 6 and 7
 |
MARTELLO TOWER No 6 left This is the first tower on the walk from Military Hill the developer proposes blowing a hole in the moat wall to allow cars to enter and park
|
|---|---|
 |
MARTELLO TOWER No 7 This one is in very poor state having been used as a store room It is does back onto Sir John Moore military barracks |
 |
VIEW FROM NICK'S VIEW Where the areas only bench is to be found. The inscription says simply "and that's why I came back" That says it all really This land belongs to us all no one individual should be able to spoil it " |
Village Green Application
Local resident David Cowell (who as been working tirelessly for several years since 2005 when John Forge acquired the land and towers in a low key MOD sale) believes he has sufficient evidence, as his request for people to complete evidence questionnaires has been tremendous. His Village Green status application is now officially on the Kent County Council register and awaiting investigation in six to nine months time.
Supporters Wanted
At the moment we have the support of the following Sandgate Parish Council (who officially turned the application down at a Planning Committee meeting). The Shepway Green Party, Cllr Tim Prater & Cllr Gary Fuller both Lib Dems, Cllr Nina Bliss - our thanks to them but shame on Cllrs Marjorie Findlay-Stone and Leo Griggs who voted in favour of the development.
If you would like to add your voice against this development please let us know we would love to add you as to the grow list on this web site Email me Sue Sheppard editor of this web site I will publish your comments.