Parish Council News Update – November

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Last month we were wondering where summer had gone — and now we’re talking about Christmas! 2025 is proving to be a whirlwind.

Christmas Lights-On Event

Our Christmas Lights-On event at the Village Hall will take place on Saturday 6th December. The theme this year is Christmas Past, with carols, mulled wine, and mince pies. A special guest will turn on the lights on the tree and listen to the children’s Christmas wishes. As always, we will be selling raffle tickets in aid of charity. Keep an eye on our website, Facebook page, and village posters for more details nearer the time.

Streetlights

We contacted Dover District Council (DDC) regarding the number of streetlights reported as broken but not yet repaired. DDC advise they are experiencing a higher-than expected rate of failures with this model of lantern and are working with their contractor to resolve the issue over the coming months. Not ideal as we head into darker evenings, but the fault is known and being addressed.

Bus Services to the Village

Your Parish Council met with local MP Mike Tapp recently to discuss several issues affecting the parish — including our ‘not fit for purpose’ bus service. We shared our concerns and possible solutions. Following this, Mike met with Stagecoach, and he announced they have agreed to trial a new service for St Margaret’s. We’ll share details as soon as we have them.

Drains

We also asked our MP to support our request for clarity from KCC Highways on drain maintenance. We have now had confirmation the cleansing works in Hotel Road, Sea Street, and Bay Hill were part of the annual programme. KCC Highways will send an engineer to survey the village in the coming weeks so any additional cleansing needs can be identified and scheduled. Once complete, it will be easier to assess whether further repairs or improvements are required.

Fly-Tipping

Thank you to residents who have reported recent fly-tipping incidents to Dover District Council. Reporting directly to DDC is essential — they hold the legal powers to investigate, take enforcement action, and maintain the official record of incidents. They also arrange removal from public land or contact landowners if it’s on private property. DDC’s Environmental Improvement Officers have visited recent sites to carry out enquiries.

A reminder: the South Foreland Valley (SFV) forms part of the Heritage Coast and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protected for its chalk landscape, flora, and invertebrates. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, disturb, or destroy an SSSI or its wildlife. Penalties include fines of up to £20,000 in the Magistrates’ Court or unlimited fines in the Crown Court.

If you witness fly-tipping, fires, BBQs, or unlawful camping in the SFV, please phone Dover Security Service on 07428 062 944.

If you find fly tipped waste after the fact then please report directly to DDC

For legitimate waste disposal, KCC Household Waste & Recycling Centres are available — the nearest is off Honeywood Parkway, Whitfield (near Tesco). There is no additional charge to use this service, but you must pre-book a slot online, often available the same day or even within the hour.

The Dover District Local Plan

Adopted in October 2024, the Local Plan sets the framework for development across the district until 2040. Three sites in St Margaret’s are included, meaning the principle of residential development has been accepted. Any future applications must now meet the detailed design criteria and other relevant planning policies.

This is the context for the current Land at New Townsend Farm application (ref: 25/00968). The Parish Council has raised concerns about its design and layout, as have the Kent Downs National Landscape team. Our full response is available on  the DDC Planning Portal. If you have views, we encourage you to review the plans and submit comments.

Spirit of St Margaret’s II

As the flowers fade, our beloved boat planter is heading into hibernation — as some of us might wish we could! Planning is already underway for a sustainable, drought-tolerant yet colourful display for Spring 2026. If you have suitable plants to donate, please email the Parish Clerk.

Dates for your Diary:

Parish Council Meetings,

Channel Room, Village Hall – Public participation starts at 6:45 pm for 15 minutes, followed by the meeting proper at 7 pm. November 10th December 8th, 2025, and January 12th, 2026.

Christmas Lights On,

December 6th, 2025, Village Hall, Reach Road.

 

Reporting Issues – Help Us Help You!

We often receive emails asking us to report things like potholes, overgrown hedges, or broken streetlights. While we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction, many issues need to be reported directly by residents to be dealt with efficiently. Our ‘Report a Problem’ page has all the links you need.