Heritage has the power to stir people’s souls, guide human responses, and galvanize public opinion. Understanding and preserving our past has forever been integral to our future.
I want to protect our past for future generations, so ask you to VOTE RYLANDS for Folkestone Central on May 4. I will do all I can to champion heritage across our town and extraordinary district.
The heritage assets of our district stand as a varied and visible reminder of the rich history of the district. There were 5,681 heritage assets across our district in 2019, according to Kent Historic Environment Record. The number has no doubt grown.
The buildings and structures are a much loved component of the district’s urban and rural landscapes. They greatly contribute to the local character and distinctiveness of all 30 parishes; which make up our glorious district. They anchor us to place and we derive identity from them.
Without heritage, people lack that anchoring, that identity, that sense of community. The glue that holds us all together. Places of significance can be unifying points of mass feeling. This is evidenced by the results of the New Folkestone Society survey regarding Folca (formerly Debenhams); which showed that 87% of the 1,500 plus people surveyed, wanted to save the building.
This unifying effect was also seen with the Princess Royal in South Street, Folkestone. This was due to be demolished, however, blog posts by The Shepway Vox Team, of which I am a member, helped galvanize the local community, so much so, the plans to demolish it were dropped.
But I’d go further if you elect me on May 4. I’d support and encourage every Parish to put in place a Neighbourhood Plan.
In very simple terms, a neighbourhood plan is:
- A document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood area – planning policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications
- Written by the local community, the people who know and love the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority
- A powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place
The production of a Neighbourhood Plan; for which there is grant funding, ensures that the valued characteristics; including heritage, of the Parish can be maintained and protected for future generations.
Plus there is a financial benefit for any Parish Council who puts a neighborhood plan into place, as they receive 25% of the Community Infrastructure Levy revenues from development taking place within the Parish. This money can be used to contribute towards the provision of facilities within the Parish.
Given Labour wish to reverse recent Tory changes on planning and re-introduce targets to ensure the private sector builds at least 300,000 new homes a year; this would mean homes parish communities don’t want, will be imposed on them if they don’t have a neighbourhood plan. Let’s not forget local developers – Mark Quinn, Leo Griggs, and Sir Roger De Haan have contributed to Labour and Tory coffers.
A neighbourhood plan will give parishes more control over “sustainable development” and will help protect the important heritage within their parish communities.
Without a neighbourhood plan, new homes can simply be imposed in places where they are not entirely suitable, building up animosity and anger against the Council. Just think Princes Parade and Otterpool Park
As a candidate for Folkestone Central, for both District & Town, I will not only champion heritage, I will donate one year’s worth of my allowance, if elected, to the New Folkestone Society; which is approx £6,000. This would allow this charity to promote and champion heritage, in Folkestone.
Heritage is something we’ll travel for, locally, nationally and internationally. People do travel here from all over the world thanks to Lonely Planet, who rightly recognised the Heritage Coastline here in Kent is a worthwhile region to visit
So please, I ask you to vote for me, and I will do my utmost to champion the heritage of our town and our extraordinary district.
VOTE RYLANDS
FOLKESTONE CENTRAL
MAY 4
Promoted & Printed by: Bryan Rylands, Flat D Avenay Court, Sandgate Rd, Folkestone, CT20 2LN
