Ashford Borough Council

Council services over Christmas

23 December 2018 0 Comments

Information regarding council services during the Christmas period can be found on the following pages:

Find Who does What on our list of Council Government and Council Services

Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council, News, Uncategorized

Halstow Way development application

26 October 2018 1 Comment

View from open space

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has submitted a planning application for the construction of 17 affordable rented apartments on the Noakes Meadow public open space.

The application follows a consultation that we reported in February
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/02/20/halstow-way-redevelopment-consultation/

The proposals have changed in that the number and mix of properties has changed

  • from 14 x 1 bedroom and 7 x 2 bedroom, totalling 21
  • to 6 x 1 bedroom, 7 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 3 bedroom, totalling 17

The total potential occupancy has increased from 56 to 60 people.

The position of the block has been adjusted so that the access road now runs between the rear of St. Simon’s Church and the block.

We will publish more details when we have had the opportunity to study the application, but the application addresses all issues arising from past use of the land. The major remaining issue appears to be whether it is acceptable for ABC to use this rare opportunity to build truly affordable housing even though it will result in some loss of open space.

The ABC Planning Case reference is 18/01508/AS
http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=110796

We have as with all planning applications we are notified of for South Ashford posted basic details under
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/category/site/planning-notice/

Ashford Borough Council, Housing, News, Planning and Development

What to do with metal

28 September 2018 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council collects metal cans and packaging in your green recycling bin.

RECYCLING TIPS

  • Give your tins, cans and foil wrappers a quick rinse to remove any remnants of food
  • Squash or compress items to make more room in your bin
  • Where possible, please remove the labels on tins and cans and place them in your green bin
  • Fully remove the sharp lid from ring-pull cans and place them back in the empty can

WHAT METAL CAN I RECYCLE AT HOME?

Yes please No thanks
Aerosols Metalised plastic film
Drinks cans Paint cans
Aluminium and steel food tins
Sweet and biscuit tins
Metal lids from glass jars
Aluminium foil
Foil trays

Other metal items are accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Cobbs Wood

Do the scrunch test!

An easy way to tell if an item is made from foil or metalised plastic film is to do the scrunch test. Scrunch the item in your hand – if it remains scrunched, it means the item is made from foil which can be recycled. If it springs open, it is likely to be metalised plastic film which cannot be recycled.

Recycle Now
www.recyclenow.com/recycle-week-2018

Ashford Borough Council
www.ashford.gov.uk/the-environment/recycling-and-refuse-service/recycling/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

What to do with paper and card

26 September 2018 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council collects paper and card in your green recycling bin.

Large cardboard boxes can be flattened and left beside your green bin.

PAPER RECYCLING TIPS

  • Paper is a valuable recyclable material but only when it is clean.
  • Remove any plastic wrapping from newspapers and magazines – this can be recycled with plastic bags at larger supermarkets.
  • If you scrunch paper and it doesn’t spring back, then it can be recycled.

Cardboard recycling tips

  • Tape, polystyrene and plastic inserts need be removed from cardboard packaging.
  • Glitter, badges and batteries should also be torn off greeting cards.
  • Egg boxes and rolls from kitchen towel and toilet rolls can be home composted.
Yes please No thanks
Newspapers and supplements Paper that is stained with foodstuffs, grease, paint or dirt (e.g. greaseproof or baking paper, kids paintings)
Magazines, brochures and catalogues Hygiene/sanitary products (e.g. nappies, wipes, sanitary towels)
White paper (e.g. computer paper, letters) Used paper towels
Shredded paper Tissues
Telephone directories Cotton wool and make up pads
Junk mail and flyers Wet wipes
Envelopes (including those with a window) Sticky papers (e.g. Post-it notes, sticky labels or paper tape)
Non-paper gift wrap or bags (e.g. foil-based gift wrapping)
Crisp or sweet packets or wrappers
Wallpaper and decoration paper
Cardboard boxes (e.g. cereal & dishwasher tablet boxes) Card that contains foodstuffs, dirt or paint
Corrugated cardboard Glitter covered greetings cards
Online delivery boxes and cardboard envelopes Food and drink cartons
Greetings cards without glitter
Egg boxes
Brown paper

PAPER – HOW IS IT RECYCLED?

Recycle Now
www.recyclenow.com/recycle-week-2018

Ashford Borough Council
www.ashford.gov.uk/the-environment/recycling-and-refuse-service/recycling/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

What glass can I recycle at home?

26 September 2018 0 Comments

Help make a difference this Recycle Week. If you don’t already recycle, now’s the time to start.

Glass bottles and jars are widely recycled. Ashford Borough Council collects glass for recycling.

 

WHAT GLASS CAN I RECYCLE AT HOME?

Yes please No thanks
Bottles of any colour, e.g. wine, beer, spirits Glass cookware, e.g. Pyrex, microwave plates
Jars, e.g. sauces, jam, baby food Drinking glasses
Non-food bottles, e.g. perfume, aftershave, face creams Ceramics, e.g. crockery, earthenware
Vases
Nail varnish bottles
Mirrors
Light bulbs and tubes

WHY CAN’T I RECYCLE SOME GLASS ITEMS?

Some types of glass do not melt at the same temperature as bottles and jars. If they enter the glass recycling process it can result in new containers being rejected. These items should be recycled separately – check with your local household waste recycling centre.

HOW TO RECYCLE GLASS BOTTLES AND JARS

  • Put lids and caps back on. This reduces the chance of them getting lost during the sorting process as they can be recycled separately.
  • Empty and rinse – a quick rinse will do. Leftover liquid can contaminate other recyclables which may mean they aren’t recycled.
  • At bottle banks, blue glass goes in with green glass.
  • Corks should be removed from bottles before they are recycled but can be home composted.

GLASS BOTTLES AND JARS – HOW ARE THEY RECYCLED?

Recycle Now
www.recyclenow.com/recycle-week-2018

Ashford Borough Council
www.ashford.gov.uk/the-environment/recycling-and-refuse-service/recycling/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

What to do with Plastic Bottles

25 September 2018 0 Comments

Help make a difference this Recycle Week. If you don’t already recycle, now’s the time to start.

Some people are confused about which plastics they can recycle:

WHAT TYPES OF PLASTIC BOTTLES CAN I RECYCLE?

The following types of plastic bottles can be put in your Green Recycling Bin

Yes please No thanks
All clear and coloured plastic bottles from around the home Plastic bottles containing chemicals (e.g. anti-freeze)
Detergent and soap bottles (minus the pump)
Cleaning product bottles (e.g. bathroom cleaners, bleach) (Triggers can be left on)
Skin care product bottles
Shampoo and shower gel bottles
Fizzy and non-fizzy drinks and water bottles
Milk bottles
Ready-to-use plant food and pesticides bottles (check the label)

HOW TO RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES

  • Replace lids and tops. If they stay on the container they will get recycled.
  • Squash bottles to save space.
  • Empty and rinse bottles. Left over foods or liquids can contaminate other recyclables and if bottles contain liquid they may not be recycled as deemed too heavy by the automated sorting process. Liquid can also damage the machinery.
  • Leave on labels – these will be removed in the process.

DID YOU KNOW?

It is estimated that an average of 35.8 million plastic bottles are used EVERY DAY in the UK, but only 19.8 million are recycled each day. This means there are on average 16 million plastic bottles a day not making their way into the recycling bin.

PLASTICS – HOW ARE THEY RECYCLED?

Tips for recycling plastic bottles

  • Triggers can be left on when recycling cleaning product bottles such as bathroom cleaners.
  • But soap bottles pumps need to be removed and disposed of in the rubbish bin.

Other Plastics packaging

The following plastics packaging can also be put in your Green Recycling Bin

Yes please No thanks
Food pots and tubs Carrier bags/plastic sacks whether empty or containing recyclable waste
Margarine tubs Dark plastic food trays (from microwave meals for example)
Margarine tubs Plastic film, metalised film or packaging made of plastic film, , such as crisp packets
Yoghurt pots

 

Recycle Now
www.recyclenow.com/recycle-week-2018

Ashford Borough Council
www.ashford.gov.uk/the-environment/recycling-and-refuse-service/recycling/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News

Local Plan to 2030 – Main Modifications September 2018

14 September 2018 0 Comments

Help shape our Local PlanAshford Borough Council

Opens: 13 September 2018
Closes: 26 October 2018

Ashford Borough Council is now consulting on Main Modifications to the Ashford Local Plan 2030, following the hearing sessions of the examination and the post hearings advice note received from the Inspectors. The consultation proposes changes to the Ashford Local Plan 2030 Submission Version.

The consultation runs for a period of six weeks from Thursday 13th September 2018 until 5pm on Friday 26th October 2018.

The Main Modifications can be read in full online here Main Modifications to Ashford Local Plan
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/consult.ti/MainMods_LocalPlan/view?objectId=10346612#10346612, or can be downloaded using the following link: Schedule of Main Modifications
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/41055525.1/PDF/-/1_Schedule_of_Main_Modifications_ABC_PS_19.pdf

Changes that are proposed to the policies map are included within the consultation documents above and can also be viewed on the Council’s interactive map at the following link: Online policies map
http://newmaps.ashford.gov.uk/EXTLocalPlan2030/default.aspx

The Local Plan is supported by a number of background documents, including the evidence base, submission and examination documents, that can be found via the following link: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan-to-2030/examination-documents/

The Council is also consulting on an Addendum to the Sustainability Appraisal: Sustainability Appraisal Addendum
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900293.1/PDF/-/SA_Addendum_Sep_2018_ABC_PS_21.pdf 

The following additional documents have been produced to support the changes proposed in the consultation:

Habitats Regulations Assessment Statement
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900389.1/PDF/-/HRA_Position_Statement_September_2018_ABC_PS_22.pdf and
Settlements Matrix
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900357.1/PDF/-/Settlements_Matrix_ABC_PS_23.pdf

How to make comments

The Council is inviting you to make comments on the Main Modifications between:

Thursday 13th September 2018 and Friday 26th October.

Comments must be received by the Council by 5pm on Friday 26th October 2018.

The easiest way to make comments is through this consultation portal, where you can add comments directly to each modification through the following link:
Main Modifications to Ashford Local Plan
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/consult.ti/MainMods_LocalPlan/view?objectId=10346612#10346612

Alternatively you can also download and print copies of the document and representation forms from the links at the bottom of this page.

The consultation is focused only on the Main Modifications. The consultation is not an opportunity to repeat or raise further representations about other parts of the Local Plan or to seek wider changes. All previous comments have already been considered by the Inspectors.

In commenting on the ‘Main Modifications’ to the Local Plan the emphasis should be on whether the Local Plan, taking account of the proposed modification, is ‘legally compliant’ and that it is ‘sound’.
The following guidance note explain what these terms mean and will aid making comments on these issues. Guidance Note 2
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40921061.1/PDF/-/Guidance_Note_2_on_Legal_Compliance_and_Soundness.pdf

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, News, Planning Policy

Respond to your Annual Enquiry Form

7 August 2018 5 Comments

The Electoral Registration Officer for Ashford has sent an annual enquiry to the addresses of all registered voters in Ashford.

You must respond to this form even if there are no changes to make:

  • by completing the hard copy and returning it,
  • completing the information online at the address given on the form
  • providing the information by phoning the number given

If you do not respond members of your household will be removed from the Electoral Register, so you will not be able to vote in future elections, and you could be fined £1000.

Did you know?

Many organisations rely on your being on the Electoral Register as evidence of your identity.

  • In one example a family were not permitted to stay in planned holiday accommodation because they were not on the Electoral Register.
  • You are unlikely to be able to open a bank account, take out a loan or mortgage or get a credit card if you are not registered to vote

Am I registered?

If you do not receive an Annual Enquiry Form or have any questions about Electoral Registration you can contact Electoral Services on 01233 330402. Please note Electoral Services will not discuss your registration with anyone else including family members.

Ashford Borough Council, Democracy, News

Brookfield Court improvements underway

12 July 2018 0 Comments

… resurfacing work, is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days …

Resurfacing works at the Brookfield Court shopping area car park, located just off Brookfield Road, South Ashford is just one of many planned improvements in the area.

The changes are being driven by the Bybrook, Bockhanger and Ashford South Advisory Committee (BBASAC), which was established by Ashford Borough Council. Its remit is to engage and liaise with accredited local user groups, assess the needs and aspirations within their wards and then achieve both immediate and sustainable improvements within their local environment.

The Committee has been working hard to secure renovations at this site. Along with the much-needed resurfacing work, which is due to commence on Monday 16th July for two days, it is planned that the broken tiles on the side of the main shop’s building will also be fixed.

Biffa, the external contractor, is currently conducting a thorough deep cleanse of the car park and footpath areas, which involves the removal of litter, spraying and removal of weeds. In order to address the ongoing litter problems, two litter bins will be relocated to positions that should increase their use and an additional litter bin will be installed at the alley way located between the Co-op and Budgens.

Aspire Landscape Management has cleared the moss from the cobbles at the front of the car park, removed the damaged knee rail from the grassy area and cleared the footpath next to Paddy Power. Planned future works include painting of the remaining knee rail, power washing of the paving slabs outside of all of the shops to remove the grime, the repair and planting of shrubs near to the Co-op, the removal of brambles and weeds in all areas on site, pruning of the trees near the entrance and the removal of the 1960s broken bike racks.

Cllr Bill Barrett, Vice Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “The Bybrook, Bockhanger and South Ashford Advisory Committee sought from its very inception to seek out the areas within its remit that were in need of attention and the Brookfield Court Shops complex  is a prime example of that. The group’s goal is to improve such areas quickly and efficiently; making best use of council assets and resources. I know the work undertaken will improve the shops for the local community and the businesses alike and I have been proud to have been part of the endeavour.”

Cllr Andrew Buchanan, Chairman of the BBASAC, said: “I hope that all users, be they local residents or regular visitors will notice and appreciate the hard work from everyone involved and enjoy their enhanced environment.”

Ashford Borough Council  12th July
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/brookfield-court-improvements-underway-12th-july/

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Transport

New rules on multiple occupation

20 June 2018 0 Comments

Landlords with properties across the Ashford borough are being urged to prepare for changes to the rules governing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

From 1 October 2018, all HMOs with five or more people comprising of two or more family units will require a licence to operate. Currently an HMO licence is only required if a property is over three or more floors, so the main change is the removal of the number of storeys from the HMO definition.

The changes are contained in The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018. The government estimates that the changes will mean an extra 160,000 properties will need to be licensed in England, with Ashford Borough Council estimating that up to 150 properties will need to be licensed across the borough.

The new legislation will also introduce minimum space standards for bedrooms. Rooms sleeping one adult must be no smaller than 6.51m2. And any rooms sleeping two adults must be no smaller than 10.22 m2. Rooms slept in by children aged 10 or younger must be no smaller than 4.64 m2.

Where minimum space standards are not being met, councils will be able to grant a period not exceeding 18 months to rectify the situation. Landlords must also provide adequate receptacles for the storage and disposal of household waste produced at the property.

Landlords are required to apply for a licence before 1 October and comply with any changes needed to be made. If, after this period you have not complied with the new scheme, you could face serious penalties, including hefty fines and criminal prosecution.

For more information on the changes and to make an application, contact Ashford Borough Council on privatesectorhousing@ashford.gov.uk

Ashford Borough Council  19 June 2018
www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/storey-time-for-landlords-under-new-rules-on-multiple-occupation-19th-june/

Ashford Borough Council, Housing, News, Planning and Development