Kingsdown White Cliffs Beach Saved by Public Outcry

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED TODAY, 26 March 2013

Huge local, national and international opposition to the development of mobile ‘huts’ on Kingsdown’s White Cliffs beach has led to holiday camp owners, Tingdene, withdrawing the planning application to Dover District Council. Campaigners have cautiously welcomed the decision. However they are poised to reactivate public opinion should another application of this kind be made in the future.

Philip Evemy, chairman of Kingsdown Conservation Group, said: “Our small campaign team worked tirelessly on a comprehensive rebuttal dossier to oppose this crass attempt to ruin a precious, iconic landscape.The result is great news, but the need for vigilance to protect this area’s natural beauty continues. Given that the beach is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, overlooked by the Kent Downs AONB as well as the village Conservation Area, it is beyond belief that the application was ever made in the first place.”

Withdrawal of the scheme followed worldwide condemnation through an online petition, and a record 300 objections were lodged by Kingsdown residents on the Council’s website. Expert bodies like Natural England, The National Trust and Kent Downs AONB were also unanimous in their opposition. Local personalities amongst the campaigners included wildlife presenter and film maker Richard Taylor-Jones, celebrity author Deborah Moggach and actor Neil Stuke.

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For more information on this campaign: :www.kingsdownconservationgroup.wordpress.com or www.kentbeachcomber.blogspot.co.uk