Construction Firm Guilty After Blocking Key Public Path Near Ashford
GSE Commercial Estates Snarls Up Public Byway
GSE Commercial Estates, part of the sprawling GSE Group civil engineering empire, has been caught out blocking a vital public byway at their Waterbrook Park development in Sevington, near Ashford’s M20. Last year, they put up a fence around part of the 147-acre site – but in doing so, completely sealed off byway AE350 at both ends.
KCC Steps In After Firm Ignores Legal Orders
Kent County Council (KCC) ordered GSE to reopen the path back in February 2019, but the company ignored the legal notice. So KCC took matters into their own hands, sending crews to rip down enough fencing to let walkers, cyclists and horse-riders through again – with GSE footing the bill.
Repeated warnings failed to budge GSE, prompting KCC to prosecute in September 2022. The company eventually pleaded guilty to breaking the Highways Act at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.
Judge Warns: Warehouses Could Be Torn Down
District Judge Justin Barron delivered a stern warning. If GSE doesn’t sort out the byway via an agreed diversion quickly, he’s ready to back KCC’s call to demolish the warehouses blocking the route. That’s a hammer blow no developer wants.
Why AE350 Matters: A Vital Link for Locals and Nature
KCC stresses AE350 is an essential safe route for “vulnerable users” to avoid busy roads, connecting new housing estates and leading directly to a new M20 bridge built as part of Junction 10a works. The byway also offers a crucial green corridor for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders linking the countryside west and east of Ashford.
Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “We’ve tried working with GSE for years. Public rights of way don’t have to stop development – but developers must consult us early and follow the legal process for diversions. When firms ignore this, we will take legal action to protect public access.”
Message to Developers: Don’t block public paths and expect to get away with it. The punishments are real, and the consequences could even mean ripping down illegal warehouses. This case sends a loud and clear warning across Kent’s construction sites.
