Chartham was a small undisturbed village outside of Canterbury for many years. However, it has now had to confront a problem which affects the entire community. Suspended plans to construct houses on the field of Shalmsford street has promoted citizens of Chartham to act. They refuse to be robbed of their green fields.

 

On the 21st of July 2021 a meeting in the Chartham Village Hall was held to gather the people of Chartham to sign a petition for or against the construction on the greenland. The meeting included employees of TaylorHare Architects Ltd giving information on the work they plan to peruse. They presented 30 houses that are to be built across the countryside. In the village hall it was apparent that there was controversy towards the idea of their walk paths and countryside being industrialised.The people of Chartham have protested against this by displaying wooden signs and flyers up against the fence of the field. They stated “Stop the destruction of our countryside” or “No to greenfield development here”. These were put up by the local residents 2 years ago and have not been taken down since. Showing, their strong feelings against the destruction.

 

John Gilbert stated “We don't want to lose the green-space between Thannington and Chartham and Chartham and St Augustines and Chartham and Chartham Hatch. Otherwise, we’re just going to be a suburb of Canterbury”

This implies that people fear that the construction plan is just the beginning of something bigger.

 

As a result there has been a negative impact on Chartham as it is the beginning of modernism on our peaceful countrysides of England. People fear it will ruin the environment and set a foundation for further development. Bringing inquiries of road safety and pollution issues. Because of this extension of property, danger will increase on the roads. It is already well known that Shalmsford street is the busiest street in Chartham.Here, a danger is already presented as it puts children at risk who attend the Chartham Primary School - also on Shalmsford street. It is Chartham's highest speeding and traffic crazy road as it is already overcrowded with cars. The increase of transport would result in a raise of air pollution in the green-land village. As the plan states that 30 more houses are to be constructed, it presents the idea of potentially adding 60 more cars to the busy road. Today's civilisation typically use transport to travel everywhere more than 0.5 miles. The primary school would be affected massively which brings very unideal situations for not only the general environment but also parents who walk their children to Shalmsford street for school. The local GP would also be affected, as more people want to go; this could cause an overflow of people therefore putting pressure on the Chartham surgery even more.This proposes a disadvantage to the construction on the green fields. 

 

Although, this plan is suspended at the moment. No further confirmation has been decided currently as the Canterbury Council have not responded yet. The voices of the people have been acknowledged, which could hopefully help the development be exiled from Chartham green fields .  

 

Development of fields and green lands has become one of the 21st Century’s most prominent issues today. The rural areas need to be left at peace to keep character alive and breathing. Global climate change is already a huge issue we face today. These small developments contribute to pollution and overpopulation which only increases those global changes. Small projects make a difference, small actions make a difference, the people of Chartham and their voices are helping to make a difference.