News

What glass can I recycle at home?

Bob Shrubb 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

Bob Shrubb 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

A28 Water work information event

Bob Shrubb 25 September 2018 0 Comments

As part of an ongoing programme to improve the water supply network South East Water are planning to install a number of new water mains across Ashford.

The £1.3 million project will involve the installation of new equipment and water pipes, which will help us to increase the amount of water they can pump through their extensive network of underground pipes and better control the flow of water.

It will also ensure they can continue to maintain water pressure to the area as the Chilmington Green development is built.

South East Water are still shaping our plans, but work will take place in the following roads; A28 Chart Road, Chilmington Green Road, Evergreen Way, Loudon Way, Sir John Fogge Avenue and Sweet Bay Crescent.

Work is due to start in October and last for 10 months.

Drop in information session

Sout Eat Water’s project team will be holding a drop-in session for local businesses and residents to find out more about the scheme and answer any concerns you may have.

This will take place between 5pm and 7pm at Godinton Village Hall, Loudon Way, Ashford, TN23 3JJ on Thursday 27 September.

Road Closures

To keep motorists, pedestrians and their staff safe, a mixture of road closures and temporary traffic lights will be used throughout the works, and will be agreed with Kent Highways before work starts.

If you have any concerns during working hours then their contractor, Clancy Docwra, will happily answer any questions on site. If you would like to speak to South East Water direct please call our Customer Technical Centre on 0333 000 1100.

South East Water
https://corporate.southeastwater.co.uk/ashford

News, Transport, Utilities

Recycle Week Competition

Bob Shrubb 24 September 2018 0 Comments

It’s Recycle Week

Take part in the Recycle Now competition

‘Spot the swoosh’ on bins, signs, posters and packaging. Wherever you see it, we want you to snap it and share it.

Tweet your pictures using #spottheswoosh by 13:00 on Friday 28 September to be entered into a competition to win prizes from Recycle Now’s partners including John Lewis and Quorn.

Environment, News

Guide to your councils

South Ashford 22 September 2018 0 Comments

We are making it easier to find information about your councils (Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council)

Under our new menu item Councils and Government you will find:

Representatives: Your elected representatives in Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council as well as Parliament and European Parliament

Council and Government Services: Lists of services provided by Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council. We will expand this to government departments in the future.

News, SACF, website

Preferred option for stroke services

Bob Shrubb 19 September 2018 0 Comments

The NHS in Kent and Medway has today published the preferred option for three new specialist ‘hyper acute stroke units’ to be introduced across the county. This is part of an ongoing review of urgent stroke services led by local doctors and other clinicians. The aim is to reorganise services so that specialist stroke staff can more consistently deliver high quality care around the clock, and in so doing reduce deaths and long-term disability from stroke for local people.

The preferred option is to have hyper acute stroke units, alongside acute stroke units, at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Maidstone Hospital and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Currently stroke services do not consistently meet best-practice standards across the whole of Kent and Medway. The identification of a preferred option brings the NHS a step closer to improving stroke outcomes and reducing deaths and disability because of stroke. The preferred option was identified following careful consideration of the responses to a public consultation, all the evidence and data gathered during the four-year review, and further detailed evaluation of five shortlisted options including trust proposals for implementation.

The next stage in the review process is to develop a decision-making business case – a detailed document that will describe how the preferred option was selected and set out an implementation plan that will cover areas such as workforce, estates and capital requirement. A Joint Committee of the ten local NHS clinical commissioning groups that ran the consultation will examine this and then make a final decision on the future shape of urgent stroke services in January 2019.

Over the next few months the NHS will be gathering views and feedback on the proposed new approach to rehabilitation from stroke survivors, their families and carers, front-line staff, local councillors and the public to help inform detailed implementation plans. Look out for further information on the Kent and Medway NHS website www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/stroke.

Transforming health and social care in Kent and Medway 17 September 2018
https://kentandmedway.nhs.uk/latest-news/identification-of-preferred-option-is-a-step-closer-to-improving-stroke-outcomes-in-kent-and-medway/

Health, News, STP

EIA Screening request submitted for Green Corridor site

Bob Shrubb 19 September 2018 0 Comments

A request has been submitted to Ashford Borough Council for their opinion on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for development of land between the East Stour River, Romney Marsh Road and Norman Road. An EIA Screening request is not a planning application but is usually a precursor to a planning application.

The screening request indicates up to 300 apartments in blocks of up to 10 storeys.

The site was considered for inclusion in the Council’s emerging Local Plan for ‘Mixed Use/Tourist/Leisure’. Although the site was not included in the Local Plan as submitted for examination, the Sustainability Appraisal did not exclude development on the site. The appraisal did not consider residential development.

The 2.7 Ha site is categorised as Flood Zone 3a and is part of Ashford’s Green Corridor.

Ashford Borough Council

Local Plan to 2030

Policy ENV2 – The Ashford Green Corridor

The protection and enhancement of Ashford’s Green Corridor is a key objective. Development proposals within the identified Corridor designation (and proposed extensions) will be permitted, providing that it is compatible with, or ancillary to, their principal open space use or other existing uses within them, and it can be demonstrated that the proposal would not harm the overall environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning of the Green Corridor.

Other forms of development proposals, including those relating to an existing use within the Green Corridor will not be permitted, unless it would be in accordance with a site specific policy in this Local Plan; or where it relates to a) the redevelopment of a suitable brownfield site or b) delivers overriding benefits, and in either scenario, that it can be demonstrated that there would be no significant harm to the overall environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning of the
Green Corridor.

Development proposals on land adjoining the Green Corridor shall provide suitable access and links to the existing networks of the adjoining Green Corridor wherever possible; and make a positive contribution to the Green Corridor in respect of its environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning and its
setting.

Development proposals must take into consideration the appraisals, projects and management recommendations set out for the specific areas in the Ashford Green Corridor Action Plan, including the identified proposed extension areas to the designation.

ABC Planning Case Reference 18/00005/EIA/AS
https://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=110630

News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

Road Closure — Beaver Road — 19th September 2018

Bob Shrubb 18 September 2018 0 Comments

It will be necessary to close Beaver Road, Ashford from 19″” September 2018 for up to 1 day.

The road will be closed between the junctions of South Stour Avenue and Lower Denmark Road.

There is no alternative route. Every effort will be made to maintain access for residents whenever it is safe to do so.

This is to enable to Remove damaged bus gate bollard and replace with new bollard to be carried out by Telent.

News, Transport

Stay safe in your home

Bob Shrubb 18 September 2018 0 Comments

It’s Gas Safety Week! Find out how to stay safe in your home with these top tips:

Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk (check out our graphic below) or call 0800 408 5500.
Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year. If you rent your home ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of CO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions.
Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

News, Safety

Local Plan to 2030 – Main Modifications September 2018

Bob Shrubb 14 September 2018 0 Comments

Ashford 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