Committee

Tenterden Steering Group

Those of us who volunteered in 2018 to join a Steering Group to help Tenterden produce a Neighbourhood Plan, did so because we felt great affection for the area in which we live and were concerned for its future. Whether born here or one of the many who have chosen to live here, it is clear from our subsequent community consultations and surveys that many residents value the town’s unique mix of qualities. It is the local community’s views and aspirations which have driven the creation of the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan providing a firm basis for the plan as proposed.

Several factors confirmed the need to get this plan completed swiftly, including the implications of changes to planning policy and the threat of unsustainable development, leading to the erosion of our rich, biodiverse local green spaces so critical to the health and wellbeing of our community.

Siggi Nepp, Chair

It has taken over two years of hard work by a determined and skilled team to achieve an invaluable series of documents which will be critical to shaping the future of Tenterden. This will not be a static document and will require periodic updating to align with the latest planning policy, this also applies to the Tenterden Neighbourhood Committee! So please do get in touch should you wish to contribute moving forwards.

John Crawford

I am Vice-Chairman of the Committee and represent the Town Council. Strategist, responsible for redesign of business operations and delivery of financial products and services. Now retired for nine years, more recently a town councillor.

Kate Walder

I represent the Town Council on the Committee and I am responsible for communications. I am a sheep farmer and sit on Tenterden Town Council for the West Ward and Ashford Borough Council for Rolvenden and Tenterden West.

Jean Curteis

I became involved in this project right the beginning as I was born here and fairly knowledgeable about the area.

I’m also passionate about preserving our heritage and as much green space and wildlife as we can.

Stephen Sidebottom

I am an HR specialist and lead the Routeways and Local Economy working groups. I have lived in Tenterden for 15 years and am a farmer and keen gardener.

Sue Quinton

As a qualified librarian I worked in various sectors including higher education and the BBC before taking on a senior role managing the library and information service for a large City law firm, where I stayed for 25 years. My husband and I came to Tenterden in 2014. I am on the Green Spaces Working Group and am the Secretary to the Committee.

Irene Dibben

I am on the Communications and Public Engagement Working Group. I moved to Tenterden three years ago because of its beauty and the chance to live in a vibrant town. I help on the Steering Committee to contribute to the town’s future as well as sustaining its present.

Graham Smith

I am on the Green Spaces Working Group and I am the Treasurer to the Committee. I have lived in Tenterden for 25 years. I am actively involved in the community as Chair of the Tenterden Tigers kids footy club and as a trustee of the leisure centre. Helping to assemble the Neighbourhood Plan is a great way to understand the town better.

Joseph Franklin

I joined the NP in 2019 while still at Homewood Sixth Form to work on the Communications and Engagement working group; aiding in running the social media. Having grown up, studied, and worked in Tenterden, I have a passion for ensuring a bright future for our town. I’m off to study at the University of Leeds in Autumn 2021.

Helen Whitehead

I am on the Landscape Character Group. I am a chartered surveyor and farmer. I wanted to participate in the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan as I live on our family farm and am passionate about maintaining the countryside in a sustainable and positive way, which benefits wildlife and the environment.