COMPLETION OF KENT COALFIELD REGENERATION
WELL UNDERWAY
30 October 2003  Community action and involvement was the key subject of the fourth annual
Kent Coalfield Communities Conference held at Aylesham Community Workshop
Trust in the heart of the former coalfield on 16th October 2003. Over
100 members of the community and community representatives gathered together
to listen to and discuss the progress of the Coalfields Regeneration Programme.
As promised last year, The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
kept its commitment to update the communities on the progress that has
been made in the regeneration of the coalfields and continue to listen
to the views of the community.
SEEDA's Chief Executive Anthony Dunnett said: "I have followed
the progress you have all made since 1999 with great interest and a personal
commitment that SEEDA would do all within its power to make the Programme
a success, I hope you agree with me that between us, we are indeed making
it a success."
He continued: "We have consulted throughout with the communities
and have heard loud and clear that social reconstruction is as important,
if not more important, than physical regeneration. This is happening.
We have improved the community facilities at Aylesham and work on the
colliery and tip sites at Betteshanger has started. Our commitment to
community involvement has been fundamental throughout the past four years - we
want to provide what you want to have……You need to dare to
dream, you deserve it……go for gold, go for quality."
Other achievements so far include the reclamation and redevelopment of
Tilmanstone which has created over 250 new jobs with a further 100 in
the pipeline and the opening of Almond House at Betteshanger with the
first tenant installed in the refurbished office space.
The Conference was opened by Gwyn Prosser, MP for Dover & Deal and
other speakers included Cllr Mike Nee, Chair, Coalfield Communities Campaign;
Steve Fothergill, Director, National Coalfield Communities Campaign and
Richard Backhouse, Kent and Medway Rural Transport Partnership Officer.
Much of the morning was dedicated to looking at employment issues with
presentations from local employer Blighline and Kent & Medway Learning
and Skills Council. Mr Roy Corker, the Financial Director of Blighline
stressed the real issue they have as a rapidly growing company in sourcing
local people with the right skills. The presentations during the afternoon
were on the Enquiry by Design process given by EDAW and the need for sustainable
transport and access given by Richard Backhouse, the Kent and Medway Rural
Transport Partnership Officer.
Throughout the day delegates were encouraged to give their feedback.
Areas highlighted include the need to involve the young people as part
of meeting community aspirations and the need to sort out the transport
and education linkages so that secondary school pupils can attend after
school activities. Delegates were assured that these issues would be addressed.
"Pay day at Snowdown Colliery"
During the Conference, a statue dedicated to the former Snowdown colliery
miners and their families was officially launched. The Snowdown Male Voice
Choir and local priest took part in the ceremony which was attended by
the local school children and many local residents.
SEEDA's Senior Development Manager, Chris Moore said: "The
regeneration of the Kent Coalfield is important for the local people,
but regeneration is not just about land reclamation and the construction
of new workplaces and homes. What is equally if not more important is
giving back a sense of achievement to the local community and acknowledging
the important cultural heritage which the mining industry has created
over the last Century. We hope that this work of art will help the community
remember and celebrate this heritage."
The Aylesham Workshop Units
The Aylesham & District Community Workshop Trust has recently completed
the building of 10 new workshop units in the centre of Aylesham that have
been funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the
Coalfields Regeneration Trust. These units start at 1.500 sq ft including
a mezzanine level. Three of the units are already under offer to expanding
local businesses.
The units were officially opened at the Kent Coalfield Communities Conference
by SEEDA's Chief Executive, Anthony Dunnett; Janet Bibby, Chief
Executive, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Helen Bartolo, Chair, Aylesham
and District Community Workshop Trust.
SEEDA considers this investment essential in order to achieve a sustainable
balance between the residential and job creating potential in the local
area.
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