https://www.facebook.com/610506602137319/

Love Meopham, Meopham (2026)

14/06/2026

𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺 🌼

Just a stone’s throw from Meopham Green, full of oxeye daisies, wildflowers and long grass.

A gentle breeze, a blue sky, birds singing, and bees and butterflies enjoying the flowers. All topped off with the sound of cricket drifting through the air.

What a stunning sight.

This is a panoramic photo, so you should be able to move it around and enjoy more of the view.

Love Meopham ❤️

10/06/2026

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲

An appeal has now been lodged for the Blackthorn Farm application.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱𝟬𝟴𝟬𝟮
𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺, 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱, 𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺
Up to 100 residential dwellings

The appeal has been made because Gravesham Borough Council did 𝗻𝗼𝘁 determine the application within the required time period.

This is known as an appeal against 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

This does 𝗻𝗼𝘁 mean planning permission has been granted. It means the application has now moved into the appeal process, where the Planning Inspectorate will consider the evidence and decide the outcome.

The appeal will be dealt with by way of a 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟬𝟭𝟰/𝗡𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗧
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝟲𝟬𝟬𝟳𝟭𝟬𝟲
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝟯 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟴 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The letter states that all representations already made to Gravesham Borough Council have been forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate and the appellant. These will be considered by the Inspector.

You do 𝗻𝗼𝘁 have to resubmit the same comments if you have already commented, but you can submit further comments, or update your previous representation, if you wish.

Further comments can be submitted here:

https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007106

Any further comments must be received by 𝟴 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 and must quote the Planning Inspectorate reference 𝟲𝟬𝟬𝟳𝟭𝟬𝟲.

The original application documents can be found on Gravesham Borough Council’s planning portal under application 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱𝟬𝟴𝟬𝟮.

At this stage, comments need to remain focused on planning matters.

This is now an appeal process. The Planning Inspector will consider the evidence and decide the outcome.

The photo below shows the area of the proposed site. Residents can judge for themselves how “grey” this land appears.

Love Meopham ❤️

ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱˢ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ • ᶜᵒᵖʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵖᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵖᵉʳᵐⁱˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗ

06/06/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹

The first photo shows the view from Meopham Windmill in 1973.

The second is a recent attempt to capture the view as it looks now. The angle is not identical, but it is close enough to show how much has changed, and how much of Meopham Green still feels familiar.

Over 50 years separate the two pictures, yet the view is still instantly recognisable. One lovely detail remains too - cricket being played on Meopham Green in both views.

What differences do you notice first?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳?

More information about opening times, visits and the windmill itself can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404536886857609/?ref=share

Love Meopham ❤️

04/06/2026

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 - 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀

A strong turnout at today’s exhibition for the proposed development of approximately 48 homes on land north of White Post Lane, Sole Street.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟴 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄. They are in the order they were presented, for residents who could not attend or who would like to look through the details again. Click to zoom.

Some of the main points shown on the boards include:

• approximately 48 homes
• 50% affordable housing
• a site area of around 2.4 hectares
• the site being described as “Grey Belt”
• the development being described as “natural infill”
• references to Biodiversity Net Gain and ecological measures
• a potential pump station / foul drainage strategy
• access from White Post Lane
• claims around walking, cycling, buses and Sole Street station
• a forecast of 28 two-way vehicle movements during weekday peak hours
• feedback requested by 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, giving residents around two weeks from the revised exhibition date

Given the exhibition date and venue were changed, residents may reasonably question whether enough time has been allowed for people to review the material properly and submit comments. A two-week response period from the revised exhibition date feels very tight, especially when residents are being asked to consider matters such as ecology, drainage, traffic, access, neighbouring amenity and the overall scale of the proposal.

Following the points raised in the previous post, key issues residents may still wish to look at include ecology, badgers, Biodiversity Net Gain, drainage and sewerage capacity, traffic on narrow lanes, car dependency, neighbouring amenity, and whether the number of homes is appropriate for the site.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Love Meopham ❤️

ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱˢ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ • ᶜᵒᵖʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵖᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵖᵉʳᵐⁱˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗ

03/06/2026

𝗪𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 / 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲

National Highways has recommended that the Wrotham Road application should not be determined for three months, until 𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, while further highway and transport information remains outstanding.

A new National Highways response has appeared on the planning portal documents for application 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱𝟬𝟵𝟵𝟯, Land adjacent to Longfield Road, up to 120 homes. The letter itself gives the Council’s reference as 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱𝟬𝟵𝟵𝟮, Land at / East of Wrotham Road, up to 350 homes, but it deals with the traffic modelling for both sites together.

This does 𝗻𝗼𝘁 mean the application has been refused. National Highways’ formal position is that it should 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝘁, pending further information.

One of the clearest points is the difference in predicted traffic impact at the A2 / Wrotham Road junction. The applicant’s modelling showed 𝟵𝟮 AM peak vehicle trips and 𝟭𝟬𝟱 PM peak vehicle trips. National Highways’ own estimate was 𝟭𝟱𝟮 AM peak vehicle trips and 𝟭𝟱𝟰 PM peak vehicle trips.

National Highways’ estimate is approximately 𝟲𝟱% higher in the AM peak and 𝟰𝟳% higher in the PM peak. It describes this as a 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 in the predicted impact at the A2 / Wrotham Road junction.

The response also notes that the A2 / Wrotham Road junction is already operating under congested conditions during the evening peak, with queuing traffic on the A2 westbound off-slip.

A few weeks ago, there was a small possibility that either application could have appeared at June’s Planning Committee meeting. With this National Highways response now uploaded, and with investigation works also being seen on the Wrotham Road side of the applications, it now seems 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 that either application will be ready for June’s Committee.

This update was held back last week to check whether any further transport information was published. No further clarification has followed.

The first image below shows the first page of the National Highways response. The second image is a merged extract from pages 4 and 5, showing the A2 / Wrotham Road traffic figures and the “significant difference” identified by National Highways.

Love Meopham ❤️

ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱˢ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ • ᶜᵒᵖʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵖᵒˢᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰⁱˢ ʷⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ᵖᵉʳᵐⁱˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ⁱˢ ⁿᵒᵗ

29/05/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲...
𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A little look back at one of Meopham’s most recognisable landmarks.

Now over two centuries old, Meopham Windmill has watched over the Green for generations. It has also been known historically as 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹, and later associated with the 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 name as part of its long working history.

Some of these images may be familiar from previous posts, while others are appearing here for the first time. Together, they show the windmill through the years, from more than a century ago to the 1990s, with village views, wartime scenes, and cricket on Meopham Green along the way.

If only Meopham Windmill could talk. It has stood through peace and war, storms, change, and countless moments of village life. With restoration completed in 2025, it still stands proud today, remains one of Meopham’s great treasures, and will hopefully be part of the village’s story for many years to come.

Love Meopham ❤️

27/05/2026

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿

Acres upon acres of beautiful green agricultural land, catching the morning sun under the blue Meopham sky.

This is one of those fancy panoramic photos, so you should be able to move it around and take in more of the view.

A truly beautiful place.

Love Meopham ❤️

23/05/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

After weeks of Local Plan and planning posts, here’s something a little more cheerful from Meopham for a bright Saturday afternoon.

Some lambs and sheep enjoying the grass, the quiet, and posing for the camera.

No agenda. No consultation deadline. Just a bunch of lovely woolly faces and a welcome break from the heavier stuff.

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. 🐑

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗺 ❤️

20/05/2026

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻
𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟵 - 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱

Here is a guide to help residents understand the Regulation 19 stage of the Gravesham Local Plan consultation and how to respond properly.

It is a long read, but it is worth taking the time to go through, especially if you want to comment on the proposals affecting Meopham.

Although there is a Meopham focus in parts of the guide, the Regulation 19 process applies across Gravesham, so the general advice may also be useful to residents in other areas who want to respond to the Local Plan.

This stage is not the same as commenting on a normal planning application. At Regulation 19, responses need to focus on whether the Plan is legally compliant and “sound”, and what changes, if any, you think should be made.

The guide explains:

• what Regulation 19 means
• what “soundness” means
• what legal compliance means
• why the missing SEA/SA and HRA documents matter
• how to structure a response
• examples of wording residents may wish to adapt
• some of the key Meopham issues to look at, including LP7.3, the A227, infrastructure, Green Belt, settlement separation and cumulative impact

The aim has been to include as much useful information as possible without turning it into a huge booklet, while also keeping the language understandable and not overly complicated.

This has been pulled together and refined over a number of days, so there may be a small amount of repetition in places. Now that it has been confirmed that the Regulation 19 consultation will continue into July, the aim was to get something clear and practical out as soon as possible to assist residents who want to respond but are unsure where to start.

Please feel free to show this to anyone who has questions about the Regulation 19 consultation - it may help them understand what this stage is and how to respond.

Please go through the images and take your time with it. Click to zoom.

𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

Explain why you think the Plan is sound, unsound, legally compliant or legally flawed, provide evidence or local knowledge where you can, and say what change you want made.

The consultation portal can be found here:

https://localplan.gravesham.gov.uk/Reg19/consultationHome

ˢʰᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ⁱˢ ʷᵉˡᶜᵒᵐᵉ • ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶜᵒᵖʸ, ᵉᵈⁱᵗ ᵒʳ ʳᵉᵖᵒˢᵗ ᵗʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵍᵘⁱᵈᵉ ᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒʷⁿ

19/05/2026

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲, 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲

Tollgate Homes have issued updated exhibition details for the proposed development of 48 homes on land north of White Post Lane, Sole Street.

The previous exhibition date of 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 has now been cancelled.

The revised details are:

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝟯𝗽𝗺 - 𝟴𝗽𝗺
𝗦𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺
𝟭𝟯 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁, 𝗖𝗼𝗯𝗵𝗮𝗺
𝗗𝗔𝟭𝟯 𝟵𝗕𝗪

For the important planning points and suggested questions residents may wish to ask, please see my previous post on this matter.

Those issues include the proposed number of homes, badger sett relocation, Biodiversity Net Gain, narrow country lanes, car dependency, drainage/sewerage capacity, the pumping station shown on the plan, and the impact on neighbouring homes.

A further concern is the revised venue. No explanation has been given for why the exhibition has been brought forward by a week and relocated to a venue with no car parking, apart from a very small parking bay outside the front. For an exhibition on a 48 home proposal, residents may reasonably ask where visitors are expected to park, whether the venue is suitable and accessible for the number of people who may wish to attend, and whether an additional session should be arranged.

The pictures below show the revised exhibition card and updated layout information.

Love Meopham ❤️

Love Meopham

14/06/2026

10/06/2026

06/06/2026

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

23/05/2026

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19/05/2026

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