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Stone Street Green Solar confirms public event dates

We have received confirmation of the first round of local information events from Evolution Power for the Stone Street Green Solar proposal.

Public events will be held as follows;

  • Sellindge Village Hall – Friday 8 April, 3pm – 7pm
  • Aldington Village Hall – Saturday 9 April, 11am – 3pm
  • Bilsington Village Hall – Tuesday 12 April, 1pm – 5pm
  • Mersham Sports Club – Wednesday 13 April, 2pm – 6pm

Solar Update

No new is good news… so they say.  A quick update on the solar situation;

The EDF proposal, East Stour Solar, was expected to submit a formal planning application to Ashford Borough Council at the end of December. So far no application has appeared.  The Parish Council will be a statutory consultee and thus notified as soon as an application is submitted.

The Evolution Power proposal Stone Street Green Solar now has more information on their website. Visit for latest information from the developer. There is interesting information on the page called DCO Application which indicates that we can expect to see the developers plan for community consultation fairly soon. A DCO is a Development Consent Order (“DCO”) – an application for consent to undertake a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project ( NSIP) that is made to the Planning Inspectorate appointed by the Secretary of State, who will decide whether consent should be granted for the proposed scheme. the screenshot below shows current status as being ‘Pre application’. Visit yourself to see the Planning Inspectorate pre-application advice to the applicant.

Screenshot 2022 03 11 at 17.01.01

Workshop – How Green is Our Plan? – 28th Feb

Join us for this important workshop.   Help formulate Planning Policies for the embryonic Aldington & Bonnington Neighbourhood Plan covering how development, when it comes, could be acceptable to our community.  Could renewable energy installations be built to enhance the landscape in the Parish?  Might changes in farming practice lead to Aldington and Bonnington becoming a biodiversity haven? Could we require developers to fund cycle paths or bus services to connect our rural community to services in Ashford?  What do you think?  Is a Green approach to planning important to you and what does it mean in Aldington and Bonnington?

Poster Workshop 28.2.22

This workshop will explore options for policy development within our Neighbourhood Plan that will document the views of the community and, if approved in the making of the Plan, could form a statutory planning consideration. The future is coming.  Climate change is driving an agenda that will affect our parish dramatically.

Your opinion counts. Join the Neighbourhood Planning Team in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 28th February to be part of the debate.

Can’t be there but want to contribute?  Email clerk@abpc.org.uk

 

 

Parish News December

The latest Parish News is available to download here for those who have not had a copy delivered. Printed copies in the Post Office Stores, Aldington Fresh Foods and The Walnut Tree.

Monday 8th November Meeting

Broadband 1500 300

Join us to hear more about the Kent County Council programme to support communities looking to improve their broadband connection. This month, in the Public Session, our invited speaker will talk to us about the options for rural villages such as Aldington and Bonnington.  This session has been arranged following resident concerns on this topic.  For more information about the KCC programme visit: https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/broadband

East Stour Solar Farm Proposal – Consultation TOMORROW

Some of you may have received this leaflet.  EDF are holding a public exhibition tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd November, in Aldington Village Hall from 3.30pm – 7.30pm

At this stage, this is a proposal that is seeking your views in advance of a formal planning application for permission to build.  Please do attend to see for yourself what is proposed.

 

east-stour-solar-farm-leaflet

Penny for your Thoughts! – Neighbourhood Plan Expo & Plant a Tree Day this Saturday, Village Hall

Think of the Trees

Thank you for making the Village Fete great!

Typically – the Bank Holiday weather was less than perfect, but, despite a breezy day and a brief rain shower, the Village Fete provided a fun day out for all ages and an opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours, old and new.

There was lots to do. An excellent turn out in the children’s fancy dress competitions were judged by Margaret Gibbs and Peter New and everyone who dressed up went away with a prize. The fun dog show, organised by Rod Gibbs, attracted over 30 entries (both pedigree and Heinz 57) and was judged by Peter Edgar, with the winning dogs taking away a tasty treat. Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra entertained the crowd and got feet tapping with two fantastic sets, with one of their first major performances for over a year due to the lock down. Thank you to Colleen Loader for organising.

Amanda and David Hughes brought along some of their fantastic collection of historic images of Aldington and Bonnington as well as biographies of some of the brave men who are remembered on the new war memorial.

Children were entertained with a number of stalls thanks to the wonderful volunteers –Rachael Tyson, Andrew and Louise Bowman, Stephen Wagstaff, Matt Baldwin, Sharon Swandale, Icy Wong, Jasper Baldwin and Harry Baker. Special thanks to Mark Patterson aka The Custard Pie & Water Man for his ‘Carry on Sponging’ stand and for all the ongoing support for this event behind the scenes.

Jerry Newsom was an amazing compere and the many stall holders who came along made the day. We thank them all for their support.  We must especially mention the Pilgrims Hospice volunteers for their wonderful toy and plant stall and for help setting up – Bill, Lau and John Taylor.

Afternoon teas were served throughout the afternoon by a number of volunteers from St Martin’s Church and we are grateful to everyone who supplied a home-made cake or ingredients including the WI and to Karen /The Walnut Tree for the delicious scones. Thanks also to Karen’s team for keeping the party going into the evening with a BBQ  and hog roast cooked by Ivor.

Thank you also to Sally Newall / Simply Ice Cream and Doug Wanstall / Bank Farm for the hay bale seating.

We had a fantastic selection of raffle prizes kindly donated by local businesses. Our thanks to Roberta Spicer, Maureen & Mary for managing the raffle and to all of the following:

NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield https: http://www.nfumutual.co.uk

DP Vehicles, Sellindge https: www.dpvehicles.com

Barry Scousesoundz Briggs

Louise Bowman, LBV Bookkeeping Services Ltd

Helena Tobitt at Blooming Delicious, Aldington

Beyond Beauty Retreat, Ruckinge https: www.beyondbeautyashford.co.uk

April Rose Retreat, Aldington https: www.aprilroseretreat.com

Harrisons Hair Team https: www.harrisonshairteam.co.uk

The Dog House Micro Pub https: www.thedoghousepub.co.uk

Dandelions and Daisies (The Old Good Intent Pub on the Frith Road, Aldington)

Aldington Post Office

Harringe Plants at Potton Farm, Sellindge:  www.harringeplants.co.uk

Sue Marshman and the crafters.

Final thanks go to Brenda and Peter Kemp, Alison Baldwin, Ginny Taylor and all other Parish Council members, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible.  If we’ve left anyone out – apologies. This was truly a Village Event and we are indebted to everyone who participated to make it happen and to all those who came along to make doing so worthwhile.  Events bring communities together so we very much hope that you enjoyed this one and will support us doing more. the profit from this event will be ring fenced for the next one.

Next Parish Council Meeting

Monday 13th September, starting at 7.30pm in Aldington Village Hall.

The agenda can be found here: https://abpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Agenda-13-September-2021.pdf

Village Fete this weekend!

Aldington & Bonnington village hall and the Reynolds playing field next to it will be buzzing with things to see and do this Bank Holiday Weekend.

All afternoon on Saturday 28 August ( from 2.30pm-5pm) we will be serving tea/coffee & homemade cakes from the village hall, where there will be a display of historic photographs and other fascinating local items illustrating Aldington & Bonnington Past.  Look for a younger you or come to visit the history of the village in which you have settled ( as well as enjoy the cakes on offer!)
On Reynold’s playing field there will be stalls selling ice creams, pop corn and a range of other goodies, including a local gin! There will be a number of local craft stalls with producers selling a wide range of items as well as some traditional fun games with prizes, including a coconut shy and tin can alley for you to try your hand at. The raffle has a fantastic selection of raffle prizes that have been kindly donated by local businesses.
From 3pm there are performances by Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra, followed by a fun dog show and children’s fancy dress competition.

From 5pm the entertainment moves across to the Walnut Tree for a hog roast, BBQ and live music.

The weather forecast for once looks great so fingers crossed for a beautiful sunny day so we look forward to seeing you all there!