Add your name to petition to save North School farm in Ashford

Alli Cousins wrote:

I am totally elated that the farm is safe, but would like to know where the money the KCC has offered is coming from? Is it going to be taken from other worthwhile thing, just so they can try and build houses on the land and make money which they have already promised , even before planning has been accepted!! Great financial planning business move.... NOT!!

It has not been made public exactly where the money is coming from and I believe that as it is our money we have a right to know. I am not so happy that because the KCC want to build houses on the land the school is forced to move the farm, and they must foot the vast majority of the bill as KCC have not given nearly enough money. I think its totally wrong that the school is being left to pay any money bearing in mind they have no choice in the matter.
I think that the land should be left alone and not taken away from the school, as having houses so close to the classrooms , is just total madness. Who will vet the residents, how will Essella Road cope with the extra traffic, and bearing in mind most homes are a two car family, there is inadequate parking for the proposed dwellings, and there is no room to park on Essella road so where do KCC plan on putting the residents veichles.

The road infrastructure will just not cope, as being a resident for over twenty years, I know what it is like for traffic and especially when the children are going to and from school. Also what about the railway yard, most days they take deliveries of cranes, and lorries with railway sleepers, and I have witnessed the mexican stand offs with veichles, as there is not enough room to let the lorries pass with the children walking on the roads, and impatient drivers trying to get out of Essella Road.

I think the land would be best left belonging to the school, so they can use it for the farm for grazing or growing there own veg to feed the animals, etc etc.

Leave the Land alone, dont put the kids at risk, and stop this madness. All I can say is get a grip KCC money should not come before safety of our kids!

02 Apr 2010 10:50 PM

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Mike wrote:

Save North School Farm

I have signed the online petition to save North Farm School. However, I believe that everyone who objects should individually write to the planning department to object to the proposals. I'm sure that this will have a greater effect than one petition, no matter how many signatories there are. I'm not sure if the application has been submited yet, perhaps someone would let me know.

20 Mar 2010 4:37 AM

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Barry Gilbert. wrote:

North School Farm

I have followed the farm arguments for several years and have helped Nick Fysh on the farm.
That farm is excellent for the kids, some of them turn up in all weather, early every morning to look after the animals.
The farm is capable of turning round disturbed kids and those that authorities and many trained teachers cannot handle.
This farm has to be saved for the kids, it saves a vast unmeasurable sum of money for the authorities and helps many kids move off in to responsible lives and work.
Removal of the farm is a short term profit scheme, which would have heavier financial repercussions on local authorites, social repercussions and removal of hard pressed skills.
Give those kids a chance, they deserve everything they can get.
Stop this blind, expensive profiteering selfishness.

Stop this corporate bullying of the kids, they are hurting.

Barry Gilbert.

01 Mar 2010 10:50 AM

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Aaisha wrote:

save the north school farm

the farm has been there for a very long time since my mum was there the farm has been fun so please do get rid of the farm there are many different animals there you can see geese pigs ducks chickens turkeys rabbits sheep cows guinea pigs there are so many different sounds and it would be a great lost

14 Feb 2010 9:24 PM

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D J BROOKER wrote:

SCHOOL FARM

The school farm is an important part of education for children at the school. It could lead to choosing a career in the land based sector but fundamentaly teaches children to help care for different types of animals which they might not otherwise have any dealing with. The farm should not be lost!!!!

09 Feb 2010 12:35 PM

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Margaret Haywood wrote:

KEEP THE FARM

I have moved to Southern Ireland and in absolute bliss. Clean air, farms all around. Why am I here because I lived in Essella Road for 23 years and for over 3 years campaigned with Neighbourhood Watch and east Stour Community Forum to save the farm. We were reassured on numerous occasions that housing would never be built on the farm. I'm so glad I got out as Essella Road has had so much disruption over the last 10 years. Firstly Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Then the North School being refurbished for the last 3 years and now houses. I moved out last September and it was all being denied then. Very convenient and underhand for it to be announced just before Christmas so that everybody would be dealing with their own festivities rather than protest against the houses. I feel so sorry for my ex neighbours who will once again have to put up with more disruption. Keep the farm open and build some houses where the councillors live.
Margaret Haywood

05 Feb 2010 10:29 PM

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nick fysh wrote:

north school farm

I would like to object to the proposed development for the following reasons.
The educational provision based at the Farm has stood the test of time with countless pupils gaining employment in the Landbased sector.
The affect of the development would be to put undue pressure on the existing farm site restricting the opportunities available to the increasing number who wish to use this excellent facility.
The required distance between housed livestock and residential housing would compromise the activities on the remaining farm site.
Drainage and sewerage needs could adversley cause environmental damage to the existing farm and vice versa.
The loss of any trees would add to the environmental damage,causing established food chains to be disturbed.
The fact that Essella road is effectively a cul de sac is not conducive to good traffic management,the recent snowy weather illustrated this.
Have the requirements for the disposal of school land been implemented using the information provided by section 77 school standards and framework act?
If at any stage this parcel of land was deemed as redundant to educational needs I would refute this,as I carried out teaching on the school farm from 1971 to 2008.
As the previous farm manager I have a wealth of knowledge regarding this site and would be saddened by the unnecessary reduction of this valuable facility.Nick Fysh.

31 Jan 2010 6:18 PM

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Steve Baker wrote:

North School Farm

I was a pupil at "The North" in the late sixties. The farm was a delight then, and I'm sure it still is. In an age where eating good local produce is being proposed to improve health and reduce pollution, it seems KCC is demonstrating it's true position. Money rules. The farm is an excellent introduction to a better life.

30 Jan 2010 6:39 PM

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Mrs Reed wrote:

North School Farm

Although I support keeping the school farm up and running so the land based studies the school advertise in there curriculum can be delivered, we also need to look at the impact of 25 more houses being built on the residents of Essella Road. My biggest worry is the environmental effect. More traffic, more fumes, more noise. In three minutes leading up to 8am this morning i counted 18 cars, 1 lorry and 1 bike go pass my house, this was not counting the cars from Essella Park. Our road can not cope with the ever increasing traffic and noise! Please understand that the North School is open in the evening's and weekend to private activity clubs etc. and the noise and traffic is quite unacceptable. The traffic infastructure in Essella Road has not be carefully thought through. Low cost housing has a knock on effect on local communities, increasing low level crime, rubbish, parking issues, noise and most of all the devalueing of property prices!

29 Jan 2010 9:31 AM

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SCARLETT wrote:

NORTH SCHOOL FARM

I USED TO DO THE FARM ITS A GREAT EXPERIANCE AND I THINK THAT THAT EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS... Xx

28 Jan 2010 6:30 PM

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Rebecca Mount wrote:

The North School Farm

Hey, I went to school there 1997 - 2002. Without the Farm there it would be a great loss! It wasn't just there so we could tend to the animals but there was the educational side of things where we learnt about farm life, hygiene and the animals. It would be a let down to all of us that went to school there, the children there now and all the members of staff if the farm went! How many students have turnt into employment such as becoming Vets etc! !

27 Jan 2010 5:23 PM

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katie hogben wrote:

the school farm

hi i have only been part of the school farm for 3 years i have loved every mintue of.it would be sad if we do lose some of the land coz it has been ther over 40years

23 Jan 2010 9:26 PM

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Karen McCue wrote:

north school farm

It would be such a terrible lost to the school,its pupils present and future for so called councillors and bosses at kcc to shut this valuable piece of educational farm land just to turn it into yet more houses. isent anywhere safe from this so called expansion of Ashford that they are now taking away our childrens education on animial husdandry which they enjoy. PLEASE THINK VERY HARD BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CHILDRENS FARM FROM THEM

23 Jan 2010 6:19 PM

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Michael Tucker wrote:

North School Farm

The K.C.C has obtained an unfair advantage by applying for outline planning permission in late December.By doing this they have stiffled public consultation to less than a month.
Following your articles in the 21st January there is no way we can object as the Ashford B.C.planning website states that consultation finished on January 10th.

23 Jan 2010 11:14 AM

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Steve Fisher wrote:

Save North School Farm

The road (Essella Road) leading up to and passed the North school can not handle the traffic that uses it now & building more houses there would only increase traffic, this is only putting the Children of The North School at further risk. Also why deprive the children of their farm just to build a couple more houses in an area that is already saturated with properties. It's the oldest school farm in the county which opened in 1936, let it stay and let further generations of kids enjoy it as much as past generations have.

22 Jan 2010 10:01 PM

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DOREEN MACKMAN wrote:

NORTH SCHOOL FARM

I think the farm should be left where it is. This is a school, we should encourage the children, not take this away from them. Working with animalls is very therapeutic.In life what u have around you is far more important than money. What they do at this school is great. To the powers that be LEAVE IT ALONE. This is so special to this school. Why build more houses young people cant get to buy houses these days, but HUNDREDS of children will learn from this farm.Think of future children what a learning experience they will all have.Doreen

22 Jan 2010 9:05 PM

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amber hollands wrote:

north school farrm

hello, my name is amber hollands, and i have been a dedacated farmer at the north school farm for 4 years now, im year 10 now, so unfortanatly i only have 1 year left, in my time down this farm i have learnt so much i learn how much it takes and how much hard work you have to put in to look after these animals, and i've LOVED every mintue of it, and to see it go would just make me break down, when im down there its like i escape from the rest of the world, where i can throw myself into work with my amazing friends and just smile for he sake of it, ive had so many memories down there, some the best in my life, ive seen managers come and go, but nia, chris and cara are just amazing and if the farm goes so does there income and they have children to feed,rent to pay.. and if the council take that away from them then there just sick and twisted, and as for buliding houses? we have WAY to many houses anyway, houses arent selling anyway, so what the point in buildig more?, they cant take the farm away they just cant, were the oldest school farm to compete in the kent show.. EVER,
SAVE NORTH SCHOOL FARM x

21 Jan 2010 4:48 PM

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Sharon wrote:

The North Farm

Why do we need more houses? Its about time the council and the goverment thought more about the future of the young people of this country,isntead of gaining browny points.The farm is a very important part of the school,and lets not forget it has been part of the school for over 70yrs and we are a market town,why are people so keen to destroy our history and LET THE CHILDREN DOWN.
This farm is the only working farm in Ashford, and i am very proud to say my daughter is part of it.All the young farmers are passionate about there animals and there welfare,i also believe that other children use this farm.
We are talking about childrens education and there well beging. Let the farm grow and encourage more children to enjoy the out door life,we are always banging on
about children not getting out in the fresh air,So lets start encouraging them!!
Are the council going to give the school any funding so that they can rebuilding what the council want to take away,the council should be helping this school achieve a excellent farm.Lets not forget this is a WORKING FARM.

21 Jan 2010 2:09 PM

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Des Hover wrote:

The school farm

Why oh why do the council really req this particular piece of land there are plenty of brown site s all around Ashford . Just to end with I learnt I usedto help run that FARM for three years before leaving scool in 1949

21 Jan 2010 2:02 PM

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Ruth wrote:

Closure of farm & application for planning of 25 houses

Where will it all end? How much is this costing of tax payer's money? Having the farm is something that is unique and local residents have fought and supported hard to keep it. If it is lost it has become a very costly exercise. Selling the land off for 25 more houses that have worst case scenario 71 more cars (even though car parking space has only been allocated on a basis of 39 cars)is going to result in even more traffic on Essella Road and an over stretched junction onto Mabledon Avenue/ Hythe Road. It's already a nightmare at peak times of school & more traffic means we are increasing the chances of our children getting seriously hurt. A bit of common sense would not go a miss here?! Ask the residents who live next to the school on ALL surrounding roads what they feel. They'd say "Keep the Farm, & No to more houses - It's just not safe".

21 Jan 2010 10:55 AM

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allison cousins wrote:

Save Our Farm

Does the KCC not think that education should come before bricks and mortar and putting money in the bank?
Ashford is an old working farming market town, and the school farm has been on the site for over 50 years.
It is used as part of an education package, where the students from the North School use the farm to take exams in Animal Husbandry. By taking away the farm the KCC are jepordising our childrens education. And it appauls me that it's reported they have LIED on the application form saying its basically derelict unused land and it dopes not affect jobs!!! Its amazing what the people in know will do toget what they want!
The residents of Essella Road do not want it either, the enterance to the dwellings will be on the dogleg bend, which is a dangerous corner, and also parking and speed is also a problem, and I know this as I lived there for nearly 30yrs and my family stil reside there, and they have complained and appealed against the planning app. EDUCATION COMES FIRST AND NOT BRICKS AND MORTAR!

21 Jan 2010 10:29 AM

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