Romney Marsh residents campaign to save Lydd Railway Station …

Campaigners say it’s “now or never” as they fight to save an abandoned railway station.

Plans to replace Lydd ^[1] Railway Station with a mobile homes park ^[2] have been likened to a “travesty”, with 500 signing a petition against the scheme and submitting it to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC).

There are plans to turn Lydd station into a mobile homes park. The building was damaged in a fire last year. Picture: Stephen Wilson

Residents instead want to see the sight, on Romney Road, turned into a spot for the community, with workshops for youngsters.

The station closed in 1971, and last year the building was burnt-out in a devastating fire,^[3] but campaigners say there’s still hope, and don’t want to see 26 mobile homes on the plot.

Jay Dee, a member of Lydd Station Heritage Group, which formed last year, said: “Over the years the people of Lydd appear to have lost hope and given up on their station, convinced that there is nothing that can be done, but we have got them talking and now they are not happy about losing it.

“It’s a terrible situation and the youths are the ones paying the price by having their futures sacrificed. The Marsh residents are speaking, the district council needs to listen and act before this station is lost forever.”

Mr Dee harbours hopes the station, which opened in 1881, could one day even see trains run through it again.

Members of Lydd Station Heritage Group are hoping the site can be restored in the future. Picture: Kim Rye

He said: “With so many environmental issues also going on, it is daft that the community of Lydd has a railway station, car park and platform sat there right on an operational railway which they cannot access. This is the only chance that the Romney Marsh will ever have to reclaim its railway link. It really is now or never.”

The heritage group has asked the site owner for a timeframe to raise funds and buy the building, as well as the amount needed, but so far has not heard back.

However, members are marching ahead with raising cash and awareness, manning a stall at the New Romney Country Fayre yesterday and applying for charity status.

Secretary of the group, Peter De Lacey explained: “When the planning application went in, everyone went nuclear.

“We would like to acquire the site and eventually open it as a facility for the area such as a small workshop where we can run apprenticeships to engage the kids in the area.

Members of the public attend a meeting on the rail station. Picture: Peter De Lacey

“At the last meeting, there were two teenage boys in the audience who said they have nothing to do here. We want to do it for the community.”

Lisa Hazell, who lives in the former station master’s house which is next to the station, added: “Nobody wants it to be turned into a caravan park, it would be a complete travesty because the station is part of Lydd’s heritage.”

If the controversial plans are approved, there will be six single and 20 twin caravans alongside a small shop selling everyday convenience items.

The burnt-out station would be converted into a residential dwelling for the site owner, while the goods shed will be turned into a home for the site manager.

The application submitted to FHDC by Keith Square of the Bentley Parks Group Ltd, says the new development would offer starter homes for young people trying to get on the housing ladder.

The abandoned railway station could be turned into a mobile homes park. Picture: Keith Forward

He wrote: “Residential park homes are some of the most affordable dwellings available, with costs significantly lower than purchasing an equivalently sized bricks-and-mortar house.

“Park homes are popular with young people entering the housing market, so are a form of starter home for many.”

Mr Forward added park homes are “also [popular with] older people looking to downsize, so the presence of a good supply of park homes in the local housing market frees up larger bricks-and-mortar properties for families.”

A council decision on the application is expected in September.

The applicant has been contacted for comment.

References

^{^} Lydd (www.kentonline.co.uk)
^{^} mobile homes park (www.kentonline.co.uk)
^{^} burnt-out in a devastating fire, (www.kentonline.co.uk)