Roger Joyce Associates
Chartered Architects
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well, it's over a month since we launched our new website, and I have to say, we have had a surprising number of contacts because of it.....

very shortly, we will be editing some of the illustrations, and reflecting changes in planning status of projects, but also adding updated sketch ideas on to the 'Sketchbook'

we are about to enter the 'Examination in Public' phase of our Local Core Strategy, and that will prove to be an interesting experience. Many have expressed doubts about the selected strategic housing sites, and from this Practice's viewpoint, scant regard appears to have been taken of the fabulous Heritage of this piece of coast.

Sites involving a medieval castle, once in the personal ownership of Henry V111 and his daughter afterwards, it is thought that significant remains of an Elizabethan walled garden and village exist beneath what is now Folkestone Racecourse, that is subject of a redevelopment proposal, involving 'enabling development ' of 800 or more houses....

another involving the military base established in the light of a threat form Napoleon Bonaparte, in continuous military use ever since. Sir John Moore's redoubt has been identified, and the unique chain of Martello Towers 1-9, all extant, but some on the 'monuments at Risk' register, spread our across the district, interlinked with the nationally important Royal Military Canal and fortifications at Seabrook. Again, in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, hundreds of acres of this historic barracks is threatened by insensitive development, with no apparent Conservation Appraisal....

a third is Folkestone's historic Harbour, subject of a master plan by none less than Sir Terry Farrell, but, again, the potential loss of 'the story' of the crossing of the channel (pre-dating Dover), and missing the opportunity to take advantage of Folkestone's unique place in the history of WW1..

watch this space......
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