Princes Parade stopping up order public inquiry news and updates

19 January 2021

Folkestone & Hythe District Council's application for a stopping up and diversion order at Princes Parade is granted.

Following a request by objectors, the submission was subject to a public inquiry that was held at the Leas Cliff Hall and Civic Centre in October and November 2021. It was overseen by independent inspector Owen Woodwards.

A letter published by the Department for Transport read: "The Secretary of State agrees with the inspector's comments that the order would bring many benefits - including safer and more varied car parking opportunities, improved car parking for the disabled, improved cycle routes, and improved highway safety."

You can find out more about the announcement by reading our press release or by clicking on the decision documentation below.

Stopping up of highway at Princes Parade: Decision letter (PDF, 151.54KB)

Stopping up of highway at Princes Parade: Inspector's report (PDF, 214.69KB)

Stopping up of highway at Princes Parade Order

01 November 2021

The Public Inquiry regarding the Proposed Stopping Up Order at Princes Parade was adjourned on October 22, 2021.

The Inquiry will resume at the Civic Centre, Folkestone, CT20 2QY on:

  • Wednesday 3 November, 2021 - Day 5 commencing at 09.30 am, and
  • Thursday 4 November, 2021 - Day 6 commencing at 09.30 am

Wednesday 3 November 2021 - Day 5 of the Inquiry

The resumption of the Inquiry for Day 5  will be on  3 November, 2021  commencing at  09.30am at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY. Due to very limited seating capacity it is recommended that members of the public view the Inquiry via the following link to the Council's You Tube Channel:

All attendees who are speaking should arrive no later than 09:15 ready for the commencement of the Inquiry at 09.30 hours.  In line the Council's policy regarding health and safety at this time all attendees will have their temperature taken on arrival. Please note when moving around the venue masks are required unless you are exempt.

Thursday November 4, 2021 - Day 6 of the Inquiry

The Inquiry will continue for Day 6 on Thursday November 4, 2021 at the Council Chamber within the Civic Centre commencing at 09:30 hours.  All attendees who are speaking should arrive no later than 09.15 ready for the commencement of the Inquiry at 09.30. There will be very limited space for members of the public to attend the Inquiry and it is recommended that they view the live sessions via the following link (using the Council's broadcast system)

All those attending the Civic Centre will have their temperature taken on arrival in line with the Council's health and safety policy and it is requested that masks are worn when moving around the Chamber and other areas of the Civic Centre unless you are exempt.

Any questions regarding the resumption of the Inquiry should be sent to the Programme Officer; email  - programme.officer@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

18 October 2021

The Public Inquiry  regarding the Proposed Stopping Up Order at Princes Parade will commence at 10:00 am on Tuesday October 19, 2021 being held at the Leas Cliff Hall, The Leas, Folkestone, CT20 2DZ.

Due to limited seating capacity it is recommended that the Inquiry is viewed via the live stream link 

All attendees who are speaking should arrive no later than 09:45 ready for the commencement of the Inquiry at 10:00 hours.  In line the Venue (Leas Cliff Hall) policy regarding health and safety at this time  all attendees will have their temperature taken on arrival.  Please note when moving around the venue masks are required unless you are exempt.

The timetable for the Inquiry will be:

  • Day 1 - October 19 2021 commences at 10:00
  • Day 2 - October 20 2021 commences at 09:30 (latest arrival at 09.15)
  • Day 3 - October 21 2021 commences at 09:30 (latest arrival at 09.15)
  • Day 4 - October 22 2021 commences at 09.30 (latest arrival at 09.15)

There will be a hearing loop available for anyone who requires it, please let the Programme Officer know on arrival.  

27 September 2021

The Inspector has reissued the Post Meeting Note from the Pre-Inquiry Meeting and has confirmed the date and time for Day 5 of the Inquiry.

  • Day 5 of the Public Inquiry will be held on Wednesday November 3, 2021 commencing at 09:30 hours at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Folkestone, CT20 2QY
  • A reserve day of Thursday November 4, 2021 has also been added for use if necessary for the Pubic Inquiry to be held at the same venue.
  • Type=media;MediaID=3959;Title=;Target=_blank;

PPIQ 006 - Pre-Inquiry Meeting Inspector Post Meeting Note 27.09.2021 (PDF, 355KB)

Revised Inquiry Notice published today from the Department for Transport - PPIQ 007 - Princes Parade Stopping U- Order PI Revised Inquiry Notice 27.09.2021 (PDF, 10KB)

24 September 2021

An additional document following the Pre-Inquiry Meeting has been added to the website:

23 September 2021

The Inspector today has issued his Post Meeting Note following the conclusion of the Pre-Inquiry Meeting. 

The date for Day 5 of the Inquiry will be confirmed by the end of this week.

20 September 2021

The Pre-Inquiry Meeting will be webcast live to the council's website at:  Please use the link below to view it:

16 September 2021

The Inspector has issued his notes on the procedure for those attending the Pre-Inquiry Meeting on Tuesday 21 September, 2021.  Due to limited space and recommended social distancing within the Council Chamber the meeting will be streamed live on the Council's You Tube Channel.

The link for joining the Pre-Inquiry Meeting will be added to the website page on Monday 20 September, 2021.  Any questions regarding this meeting please send them to the Programme Officer at: programme.officer@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

3 September 2021

The Inspector appointed to hold the Public Inquiry re the Proposed Stopping Up Order on Princes Parade has today confirmed the date for the Pre-Inquiry Meeting and has issued a letter with further details of the meeting including the agenda.  Anyone who needs further information regarding the letter should send their comments to the Programme Officer.

27 August 2021

The Secretary of State has appointed Mr O S Woodwards BA (Hons.) MA MRTPI as the Inspector to hold the Public Inquiry re the Princes Parade Proposed Stopping Up Order.

Mr Woodwards has set the date for the Pre-Inquiry Meeting, which will be held on:

  • Tuesday September 21, 2021 commencing at 11: 00 hours at the Council Chamber, Civic Centre,  Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, CT20 2QY

Formal notification will be issued  by the Inspector week commencing 30 August, 2021 regarding the process, agenda and full information regarding the meeting.  Any questions regarding this matter should be sent to the Programme Officer at the contact email address listed above.

18 August 2021

NOTICE is hereby given that a Public Local Inquiry will be held by an Inspector appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of State for Transport into his proposal to make an Order under Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning  Act 1990 to authorise the stopping up of an irregular shaped area of highway as leads off Princes Parade and the diversion of a length of Princes Parade at Folkestone in the District of Folkestone and Hythe in order to enable development to be carried as permitted by Folkestone and Hythe District Council, under reference Y17/1042/SH.

THE INQUIRY will be held at:

  • Council Chamber, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY commencing at 10:00am on 19 October 2021

Programme Officer

Any information regarding communications around the Public Inquiry should be sent to the appointed Programme Officer (Caroline Williams) assisting the Inspector for the duration of the Public Inquiry via email:  Programme.Officer@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.