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

 

A snowy beach walk to Walmer, Kent

Walmer beach on a snowy Sunday in February

In the need to find cider for a Simon Hopkinson recipe with pork and endives, we donned several layers of clothes, hats and gloves and took to the beach-side path that runs between Kingsdown and Walmer, past Walmer Castle, where the Queen Mother was Head of the Cinque Ports when she was alive. This is a really pretty coastal walk, with summer wild flowers including pink and white valerian, poppies and sea cabbage, tons of fennel, and garden orphans including loads of hot pokers. But, today's newly emerging plants are hidden under a deep sweep of snow. The native evergreen Holm Oaks which have been widely written about have taken a blast from the North East, leaving their South West flanks green.

Beach Holm Oaks in the snow at Walmer

This is around a two mile walk each way, and there are a number of watering holes at either end. The Stag is a popular pub serving some good ales including Bombadier, Sussex Best and Black Sheep. On a Sunday, the hospitality extends to free nibbles of crisps and some very welcome hot and crispy roast potatoes. This pub is particularly popular with the locals.

The Stag, Walmer by the sea