Changing face of our countryside

A Sevington resident has captured the disappearing local countryside in a poignant snap.

John Donovan took a photo of a combine harvesting the field next to Sevington church, which is due for imminent development.

Outline planning permission was granted in May this year to build two enormous warehouses on the site.

Mr Donovan, who lives nearby, said: “I took the picture in the field next to Sevington church at 3.30pm and within four hours the combine had left the field, never to return.

“The picture shows the header to the left of the combine having been removed prior to being towed away.

“The grain dispensing tube has been fixed into the ‘on road’ position, having discharged the combine’s final contents into a grain trailer.

“This is the end of an era, with the farm having been in the same family’s ownership for almost 100 years.

“Now the field lays empty awaiting contractors with bulldozers to develop the site for building, with the first occupant – Kent Wool Growers – which hopes to move from its current premises during the course of next year.”

The Stour Park development involves building a warehouse up to 16 metres high.

Developers Friends Life claim the site could take up to eight years to build, creating about 1,800 jobs.

Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee approved the application subject to a section 106 agreement and the final views of Highways England.

Both of these matters are expected to be resolved soon, at which time planning permission will officially be granted.

Do you think too much countryside is disappearing? Write or send your pictures to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk