Work to remove the hoardings around the site of the cancelled Princes Parade development will begin next month and they will be replaced by a wire mesh fence to restore the views we’ve all missed so much.
The decision was taken by Green district council leader Cllr Jim Martin, who says: “I know this can’t come soon enough. Like so many of you I have hated seeing these hoardings every day and everything they’ve represented, including the millions wasted on Princes Parade despite endless protests and warnings about the risks of pursuing this ill-conceived and unwanted development.”
Those risks included the contamination of the land and the new fence is necessary to restrict access because of this.
Council officers and contractors will work alongside an ecologist to ensure that badger setts and other wildlife habitats are safeguarded when the huge white boards are removed from Princes Parade. The boards will be taken to Otterpool Park, initially to secure vacant buildings and later to be used when construction work gets underway there.
A decision over the future of the Princes Parade site will be made after public consultation later this year. Potential uses will be informed by the public’s views together with the advice received from the council’s contaminated land consultant. Public access may require further analysis of the contamination and work to make the site safe.
I know this has taken a lot longer than people would have liked but it’s been quite a complicated process, including consulting Historic England as the Royal Military Canal is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. I am looking forward to discussing a new future for Princes Parade and the council is committed to reflecting the community’s wishes.
Jim Martin, Hythe Councillor & Council Leader
