Redevelopment of CEMEX Factory Site [October 2007]

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Cemex are writing to all residents in Halling & Cuxton on their plans to submit an outline planning application to Medway Council on their proposals to redevelop their former cement works site at Halling.

They are holding a public exhibition at their offices in Rochester Road, Halling between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 3 November 2007.

They will run free shuttle buses operating on the hour and every half hour (from 10am to 2pm) picking up at the school, Lower Halling; the centre of Upper Halling; and the sports field, Cuxton. Any one with mobility problems is asked to call Maurice Claydon on 01634 240298 and he will do his best to assist.

The exhibition and a community newsletter they are producing will also be available on CEMEX’s website www.cemex.co.uk from 3 November. (From the home page go first to the “sustainability” page and from there to the “communities” page.)

[October 2007]

Redevelopment of CEMEX Factory Site [June 2006]

Many of you will have been along to the CEMEX exhibition earlier in the year where the Company unveiled its proposals to dispose of all their land on the western (tall chimney) side of the A228.

In a nutshell, CEMEX has decided that they will shortly have no further use for the land and they propose to sell it for redevelopment. Before doing so, they are going to apply to Medway Council for outline planning permission and their preferred option is for the construction of 675 dwellings on the site. An outline planning application is, in effect an application for approval in principle, to give a potential developer an idea of the type of project which the Council could support when a detailed application is made.

The Parish Council is concerned about a number of issues arising from the CEMEX proposals, which are summarised below:-

1. The proposals encroach on to the Green Belt, which is something the Parish Council could not support and a large development of 675 dwellings on the site may not be achievable, if the Green Belt is to be protected.

2. It is difficult to see how the existing transport system can support any significant development or how it can easily be improved. In particular, the A228 will be stretched well beyond its capacity given all the other developments already proceeding locally.

3. We would need to be satisfied that local services such as schools, doctors, social services, water supply, sewage disposal, etc can cope with up to an extra 2000 residents.

These are some of our main concerns and we have expressed them both to CEMEX and to Medway Council and the purpose of this article is really just to bring you up to date with what has been happening.

This issue has a long way to run and there will be plenty of opportunity later for the Parish Council and individuals to make formal comments when the outline planning application and ultimately, the detailed application, are submitted to Medway Council.

We will update you in the next edtion of Halling View, but if you need any more information about this or any other parish council matter, please contact the parish clerk, Bill Swan at the Prish Office in Halling Community Centre, telephone 01634 241551 or email here.

[June 2006]
 

Local Development - CEMEX - Drop-in Centre

In early February 2006, CEMEX held a public display of their redevelopment options proposals for the main works site.  This is the land that lies between the railway line and Pilgrim's Way, Halling.  Many local residents and other interested persons viewed the proposals and many concerns were raised. 

Halling Parish Council will be considering further the various proposals and making representations on your behalf.  WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFORMATION... 

Aerial view of Halling. Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey.
Forge Green Redevelopment (July 2006 - October 2006) The Halling Association carried out a project to improve the open space at Forge Green, by Halling newsagents. The work comprised:   new paths and a paved area in the centre; a new outdoor war memorial; new planting of shrubs and trees; a CCTV scheme; new street furniture, including bins and a notice board. The planting took place in October 2006 to make sure that the plants and trees can establish themselves and the beds dug for planting.  A grand Opening Celebration with special invited guests and Scouts was held on Friday 27th October 2006.  Below are some photographs of the Opening Ceremony and the project area.
Forge Green Memorial Plaque		Forge Green Memorial from the Newsagents [July 2006]
Forge Green Memorial from the footbridge [July 2006]		Forge Green Memorial [July 2006]
Rector (r) talking to Jane Etheridge (l) with Cllr Les Hitchcock in background at the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]		Cllr Andy Ballantyne, Chairman of Halling Parish Council (r) with Catherine Smith, Medway Council (l) at the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]
Scouts planting shrubs at the Celebrations [October 2006]		Cllr Roy Underdown laying a Wreath on behalf of Halling Parish Council at the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]
Cllr Andy Ballantyne, Chairman of Halling Parish Council at the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]		Cllr Andy Ballantyne and other Guests at the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]
Guests assemble for the Forge Green Opening Celebration [October 2006]		Official Opening by Scouts of the Forge Green Memorial [October 2006]