Three Star Kissing Gates
Update 8
th
June 2023.

• At the PC meeting on 11
th
May 2023, the council passed a resolution as
follows; “that the Council seeks grant aid from the Dedham Vale AONB by
19 May with full details submitted by 5 July”. It is the intention that the
grant is used to provide accessible kissing gates on footpaths 49 and 31 in
Dedham Vale.

• Councillors Miller, Wombwell, Hockley and Price attended a workshop in the
Parish office on Friday 12
th
May to flesh out issues and details. The workshop
recommended that the PC should seek financial support for two kissing gates
on footpath 49 and the single and only kissing gate on footpath 31.
Councillors Miller and Price were tasked with drafting the application.

• The application was submitted by the Clerk on 18
th
May 2023 and was
subsequently acknowledged by the AONB organisation. It was understood by
all that the application would be further developed with a view of a final
submission on 3
rd
July 2023 in time for the decision on 5
th
July.

• There are two landowners affected by the proposal. These are the National
Trust and Mr Guy Lennox. Councillor Price discussed the work with Mr David
Piper, the National Trust Countryside Manager for Essex and Suffolk. Mr
Piper was happy with the proposals for new kissing gates of footpath 49, but
less happy with the prospect of mobility scooters traveling on footpath 31 due
to the need to protect many tree roots protruding on the path.

• Councillor Price met Mr. Callum Leslie from SCC PROW team on Tuesday
30
th
May to inspect both footpaths and the existing kissing gates. Mr Leslie
proposed dropping footpath 31 from the project on the grounds of the cost of
raising the footpath in order to protect the tree routes. He agreed that
replacing the kissing gates on footpath 49 was practical and he also
recommended that the kissing gate at Dedham Road should also be replaced
as this would allow people using mobility scooters to travel from Dedham
along the North side of the River Stour as far as Fen Bridge and then to
ascend Fen Lane and hence arrive at East Bergholt. Naturally the reverse
journey would also be available.

• The kissing gate on Dedham Road is in the parish of Stratford St Mary and
any shortfall from the grant would therefore have to be covered by that Parish.
Mr. Leslie sent an email to Stratford St Mary’s Clerk explain the project and

including a map of the footpath in question. It is the intention of Councillor
Price to seek an invitation to attend the next PC meeting of Stratford to
explain what we wish to do and invite their participation. The next Stratford PC
meeting is on 10
th
July i.e. after the decision by the AONB.

• SCC are willing to take charge and oversee all the works. This is a natural
position due to the fact that they are the highway authority. Mr. Leslie is
seeking quotes for the work from their new partnering contractor (Milestone
Infrastructure).

• Mr Leslie and Mr. Lennox (landowner) have now discussed the project
between them and unfortunately Mr Lennox has concerns that the accessible
gates might also allow cyclists, motorcyclists or others not normally permitted
on footpaths to enter and he is also concerned about the gates abilities to
stop livestock. Councillor Price has inspected an accessible gate with the
RADAR key lock, just like the proposed gates, which is conveniently situated
at Flatford and intends to invite Mr Lennox to inspect this for himself with the
hope that he will be satisfied.

• What might go wrong?
1, We might be offered less grant than is necessary, in which case, for
the project to go ahead some funds will need to be found elsewhere
and in that instance, perhaps CIL funding should be considered.
2, Stratford PC might not be interested in which case the kissing gate
at Dedham Road will not be made accessible.
3, The landowner Mr Lennox might refuse permission in which case the
project could not proceed.