Matters being researched

 

Archaeology

1. Club have commissioned exploratory trenches. Further archaeological work will be required. Early indications are as follows :

• Bat and ball site is part of 12th Century leper hospital and likely contains burials and possibly minor structures.
• Archaeology on bat and ball site has horizon level 720mm below ground But the
archaeology appeared to have been scrapped off the surface in the past, ie archaeological horizon has been truncated.
• No archaeology was found on the proposed entrance square site.
• No evaluation has been carried out yet on the net site.

2. Archaeological evaluation causes soft spots in the ground making it unsuitable for car parking (or use as nets) and thus Club not keen to carry out further evaluation until broad principles of development are agreed and after this year’s season.

Parking

1. No greater pressure on parking for match days than existing

2. New uses will not cause parking on the streets nearby. Police already protect neighbouring roads from match day parking – by cones.

3. Match days

• The club will increase off site parking at various designated sites nearby upto a total of 7000 spaces.
• A green travel plan is being worked up to achieve far better relationships to public transport will be established.
• Negotiations will take place between the Club and the Park & Ride Service and the scheme indicates that a bus stop be provided at the Club gates.

4. Parking on the ground will be halved approximately from 1000 currently to 500

5. The proposed spaces of 500 are believed to be adequate for the other users envisaged and especially given the travel plan.

Highways

1. Present vehicle access is traffic light controlled and has good capacity subjectto minor reprogramming of traffic lights.

2. St Lawrence Forstal access constrained by poor sight lines at Old Dover Road capable of minor improvement for existing houses as well.

3. Nackington Road entrance adjoining hospital has fair sight lines but would need major reconfiguring to be suitable for other than match day when junction can be police controlled.

4. Pedestrian entrances are both good.

• The Nackington Road / Simon Langton sports field entrance would benefit from improvement
• No bus stop and this to be incorporated along Old Dover Road frontage.
• Currently no shuttle service from station or Park and Ride.

Other Studies in progress

Soil Analysis
Archaeological Survey
Green Travel Plan
Environmental Impact Survey
Landscape Strategy
Digital Survey
Consultation with KCC Highways
KPMG Hotel Viability Study
Floodlight Illumination Survey
Geological Survey