I received a last minute email invite to this event and decided it was too interesting to miss, so I scooted along there in time to have my name added to the list of great and good - and was allowed in to what was a very well attended event - a full house no less.

The ’21st Century Kent - A Blueprint For The County’s Future’ presentation was led by Paul Carter Leader of Kent County Council and Kevin Lynes Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Kent County Council - with renowned architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell CBE, RIBA, FRSA, FCSD, MRTPI.

Kevin Lynes and then Paul Carter set the scene with information about changing demographics and trends in Kent which include: a rising average life expectancy, a growth in single person households, targets for housing growth,  experience that an older (and growing) population brings to the work force, the polarisation between the deprived coastal and urban areas and the more affluent areas of Kent as well as National and Global trends which will likely undergo an upheaval over the next 20 years. These wide ranging trends and changes as well as presenting huge challenges also gave an unprecedented opportunity to create a framework and vision to shape our future.  Sir Terry Farrell was appointed to help produce a spatial vision for Kent for the next 20 years, taking into account the broad issues of housing, transport, skills and economic development.

Sir Terry picked up on a theme mentioned by Paul Carter earlier, about how important it was to have a vision - as demonstrated by the Victorians who used considerable vision when, for example, designing and creating the London underground network. At the time some of the stations were placed in areas which were little more than countryside - but within a short time becoming the vibrant business and residential communities of central London - and he said that it was this type of vision that was needed now to shape the future of Kent, but with a light handed approach.

Sir Terry said that Kent was already well positioned in many respects because we already have an identity as The Garden of England - so it wasn’t a matter of trying to build a new identity or change a negative one.  HS1, sited down the backbone of Kent, also reinforced Ashford’s status as the powerhouse of Kent and was already attracting businesses and people to the area.

Sir Terry then shared with us his thoughts on the increasingly critical role within the regional economy of the Greater South East that Kent plays:

“The Greater South East drives the UK economy. London’s status as a major world city allows the UK to compete internationally. The region is one of the world’s biggest markets for UK businesses and revenue generated by its high value economy supports investment in other regions. It is the only region within the UK than can compete with the major regional economies of Europe, the American and Asia. Kent is the UK’s front door”.

Sir Terry talked about Ebbsfleet a chalk quarry but will become a dynamic modern town with residents living in a rural setting while benefiting from rapid access to London - and with a major learning campus with links to University College London. Medway’s five towns: Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gilliingham and Rainham will become a major city - a major European centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing and known world wide for the application of clean power generation.  Ashford and its surrounding villages are already attracting businesses and people who recognise the benefits of its accessibility and its affordability with a population expected to almost double by 2030 living in a 21st Century Garden City. Margate with the Turner Contemporary, Canterbury with the Marlow Theatre and the culturally driven regeneration of Tontine Street in Folkestone are already reinforcing the Kent Coast’s appeal as a draw for creative industries and the arts - the coast becoming an international destination for water sports and recreation.

Sir Terry finished by saying that this was just the beginning of a wider piece of work which will be further enriched and shaped by conversations with stakeholders and the wider community.

I came away with lots to think about and a folder full of well produced supporting literature. I realise that any vision of worth cannot be achieved overnight - but it is very important to work towards the vision and not be pulled off course. This will need buy in by all residents and businesses and that means the vision must be compelling and believable.

Something Sir Terry said earlier in the presentation struck a note and that was when change is significant and generally over a period of time folk will often deny there is any change - complaining that ‘nothing is happening’ or ‘nothing ever changes’.  It struck a note with me because I have heard that said so many times by local people. And yet, if you stand back and recall what Tontine Street looked like 5 years ago - you will notice that it has changed significantly - and in another 5 years it will probably not be recognisable as the same street. Shepway people have waited a long time for things to start getting better - we need to be patient because little bit by little bit it will happen. Or summarised simply by this statement from one of the publications:

“Think long term, plan for the future, take many small steps and hold true to the vision”.

Read ’21st Century’ (PDF, 4mb) here.

Jan Holben

Councillor for SDC

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