Acknowledging these, and other ongoing challenges, the Partnership aims to secure a stronger economic future and improved quality of life for the Romney Marsh and the people who live, work and visit the locality. The Romney Marsh area overseen by the RMP is administered by three Local Authority Districts: Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe and Rother.
The Romney Marsh Partnership currently comprises representatives from three local District authorities of Folkestone & Hythe, Ashford and Rother, supported by input from representatives from Kent and East Sussex County Councils. Other key stakeholders include Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS Ltd), EDF Energy Ltd, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Dungeness Site Stakeholders Group, The Marsh Academy, Lighthouse on the Marsh, Rye Partnership, EKSDC, EKC Group, Romney Marsh Community Hub, Lydd Airport, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership and other key local stakeholders.
With no nuclear power stations now in operation in the area, the work of the Partnership has gained further importance given its role in the development of a sustainable economic strategy for the Romney Marsh. The RMP works to address current and future challenges whilst aiming to capitalise upon a range of opportunities for growth and improvement across the area so that the Romney Marsh continues to be a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
The Five Pillars
With regards to the future economic strategy for the Romney Marsh, the RMP has identified five work “Pillars” which will form the focus of future activities:
1. Maximise opportunities in the nuclear, tourism and high-value sectors.
2. Improve accessibility to enable better workforce and community mobility.
3. Encourage and support business development.
4. Realise the workforce potential through skills development.
5. Enhance infrastructure.
Click onto the sections below for further details on the Romney Marsh Partnership:
Cllr Paul Thomas - Chairperson of the Romney Marsh Partnership
Councillor Paul Thomas
Cllr Paul Thomas is the Chairperson for the Romney Marsh Partnership. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the partnership as we embark on an exciting phase of project delivery in the next 3 years.
Working closely with our valued stakeholders, the partnership is committed to driving key projects that will create a vibrant and economically sustainable future for the area. This is an important time for us as we strive to deliver initiatives that will have a positive impact on the local economy.
Under the leadership of Cllr Paul Thomas, we are confident in our ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders, harness their expertise, and successfully deliver on our shared vision. Together, we will work tirelessly to bring about meaningful change and ensure a prosperous future for the Romney Marsh community.
The Romney Marsh Partnership Board
The Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) is entering a new stage in its ongoing delivery of its Social-Economic strategy.
The RMP is an economic development partnership which brings together representatives from local government, business, training, education, and the third sector to identify needs and opportunities across a geographic area that spans the 3 Districts of Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe and Rother. The group is chaired by Folkestone & Hythe District Councillor – Patricia Rolfe who represents New Romney Ward. The RMP has proved itself as an effective working partnership that is delivering real change to ensure a better economic future for the Romney Marsh area.
It has been instrumental in advocating for, and enabling many transformative projects. For example, it was a key stakeholder in the development of the Romney Marsh Business Hub on the Mountfield Road Industrial Estate in New Romney.
Local Stakeholders are:
Nuclear Sector – EDF Energy Ltd, NRS NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority), SSG (Dungeness Site Stakeholders Group)
Local Government – Ashford Borough Council, East Sussex Council, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Kent County Council, Rother District Council
Education – EKC Group (Folkestone & Ashford Colleges), The Marsh Academy, Lighthouse on the Marsh
Business – Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Lydd (London Ashford) Airport
Third Sector – The Rye Partnership, Dungeness Site Stakeholder Group, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership
Sub Groups under the RMP Board Portfolio
Transport Group – set up to have a strategic focus on improving existing infrastructure, developing new road networks and links to neighbouring towns to access employment and education.
Skills Group – formed to focus on “Bridging Skills Gaps” and forging sustainable links with education providers and businesses locally. To improve skills and engage with local residents to improve their ability to gain lasting employment in the future in light of feedback from local (existing and future) businesses.
Tourism Group – established to develop strategies to help grow the local tourism sector through sustainable means by encouraging ideas for developing green projects and staycation potential.
The Romney Marsh is steeped in natural, cultural and built heritage features which all provide potential for developing nature and other themed trails, cycle and walking routes, improved water sports and sympathetically enhanced coastal resorts. The RMP is constantly reviewing ideas for the area, for example, through the support for existing and new events that engage both residents and visitors to the area. The group aims to optimise opportunities to work with businesses to ensure the area remains a great place to live, work, visit and stay.
Projects Being Supported by the RMP
Romney Marsh Business Hub – A new high specification business centre providing over 4,700 sqft of office space within 14 self-contained units available for rental on short, flexible terms. Set in the heart of New Romney in a convenient and desirable location on Mountfield Road. The business hub offers business support provided by a dedicated on-site business advisor.
Projects Being Supported by the RMP
Romney Marsh Business Hub – A new high specification business centre providing over 4,700 sqft of office space within 14 self-contained units available for rental on short, flexible terms. Set in the heart of New Romney in a convenient and desirable location on Mountfield Road. The business hub offers business support provided by a dedicated on-site business advisor.
The hub also supports local businesses and organisations offering free bite size monthly workshops for businesses working or living in postcodes CT15 to CT21 and TN25 to TN29 directly due to support from FHDC, EKSDC and NRS.
There is also free 1 to 1 business support suitable for anyone setting up a business, to already established sole traders, SME’s, charities or CIC’s.
Coastal Destination Project, Greatstone – The RMP is supporting the development of this transformative project which will create a major new beachside visitor destination for the Romney Marsh. Work to create a new and exciting coastal destination on Romney Marsh is now underway. Providing a major boost to the local economy, the project will deliver a new visitor hub, improved water sports facilities and 93 beach huts at Greatstone once completed. There will be 120 car parking spaces, electric car charging points, public toilets – including a Changing Places facility and much more.
Enhancing Infrastructure – Lobbying for junction improvements at New Romney, notably the development of a roundabout at the Hammonds Corner/A259 junction and a linked Spine road from A259 into the Mountfield Road Industrial Estate, as well as improvements to the junction at Rye A259/ Rye Harbour.
Continuous Decommissioning – working with NDA/NRS to secure continuous decommissioning for Dungeness and release land for new economic uses.
Better Transport Links – working with local stakeholders to improve links to Ashford, Folkestone and Rye through improved public transport services and a potential community bus project – ‘Green Line Project’.
Bridging the Skills Gaps – working with education providers to support and develop skills for local people on either the Romney Marsh or access to wider skills and courses in Folkestone and Ashford. Engaging young people with business community through careers and apprenticeship initiatives.
SARMS (Sustainable Access & Recreation Management Strategy) – The SARMS action plan was produced for Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) and Rother District Council (RDC) to manage visitor impacts on sensitive sites in the Dungeness/Rye Bay area.
Broadband – working to ensure improved internet speed, upgrades of local fibre and broadband networks for to deliver a 21st Century Service for all local residents and businesses on the Romney Marsh.
Supply Chain links with NRS/NDA/EDF – promoting awareness of opportunities for local SME’s to link into the supply chain for contracts with locally based ‘national’ businesses.
Press and Publicity
Visitor hub, beach huts and more for Romney Marsh
Folkestone & Hythe District Council press release – published 16th May 2025
Work to create a new and exciting coastal destination on Romney Marsh is now under way.
Providing a major boost to the local economy, the Coast Drive project will deliver a new visitor hub, improved water sports facilities and 93 beach huts at Greatstone once completed.
There will also be more than 120 car parking spaces, electric car charging points, as well as public toilets – including a Changing Places facility.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council is funding the scheme with the support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority through Nuclear Restoration Services.
The surrounding area is a Natura 2000 site, part of a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species.
All work, scheduled to be outside the winter/spring nesting season for migratory birds, has been supported by Natural England.
In line with the council’s Carbon Action Plan, solar panels, a green roof system and suitable planting will form part of the development.
Information boards highlighting the importance of the area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest will also be installed once the project is completed in late October.
Leader Cllr Jim Martin said: “This is a fantastic project that has been brought forward by working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, so it’s great to see it starting to take shape.
“This is a wonderful stretch of coastline and opening it up for more people to enjoy – while protecting its special environmental aspects – is an exciting prospect.”
The Coast Drive car park will be closed while work is carried out. Please use the nearby one in Greatstone (TN28 8NP) in the meantime.
Walker Construction – a member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme – has been appointed to carry out the work and we are assured that disruption will be kept to a minimum.
More information about how to join the beach hut waiting list will be made available in due course. Please do not make enquiries right now.
Contact Us
To make enquiries & for further information regarding the work of the Romney Marsh Partnership, please email Jo Wynn-Carter, the Romney Marsh Partnership Officer at Folkestone & Hythe District Council
jo.wynn-carter@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
