The Bethersden Village Society was formed towards the end of the 1980s, in response to the threat of a major development close to the village, on the Ashford side. Fortunately this development did not proceed, but the BVS was on stand-by for some time.
In 2003 the Bethersden Parish Plan was published, which included the Village Design Statement, a detailed record of the village at that time, and a Parish Appraisal based on a comprehensive survey of the current facilities and services available in the Parish. The results of the Plan were defined in a detailed list of actions – “The Action Plan”, and it was agreed that the Village Society would take on the responsibility for these projects, working closely with the Parish Council. The Society has a committee for all routine business, but sets up special groups for major projects.
The Parish Plan update in October 2008, was based on detailed analysis of a Parish wide questionnaire. This allowed for fine tuning of some parts of the Action Plan, although most parts were still valid. In 2007, at the request of Ashford Borough Council, a Consultative Group was formed to review possible sites around the village for housing development, and these were agreed in 2009, leading to the developments in the George Field and Mill Road.
Newsletters are issued to all households in the parish in response to the consultation needs of major projects and other matters, and as a back-up to information in the minutes of Parish Council meetings, which are included on the website.
For further information, contact the Honorary Secretary, Bryan Muddell on 01233 820349.
