MallingMail 5
Have your say on important issues
TWO controversial schemes which could bring major changes to the landscape in the Malling area are awaiting approval.
Strawberry growers Hugh Lowe Farms, based at Mereworth, have asked Tonbridge and Malling Council for planning permission to erect plastic polytunnels on more than 400 acres of land extending across six parishes.
Objectors say the landscape would be changed forever by a sea of plastic, but the growers, who supply all the strawberries forWimbledon, say the tunnels are essential for their business.
A decision has been put back to allow more time for extensive public consultation until the end of January.
Lindsay Pearson, chief planning officer for Tonbridge and Malling Council said: “This will inform the committee’s further deliberations which may well lead to a visit to inspect the site before making a formal determination of the application.
Planning details and how to comment are available from Tonbridge and Malling Council and online at
www.tmbc.gov.uk. The application reference is TM/08/03739/FL.
Proposals by Gallagher Aggregates to extract a million tonnes of aggregate a year at OakenWood, near its existing quarry at Hermitage Lane, Barming, have been opposed by Tonbridge and Malling Council but the final decision rests with Kent County Council.
Borough councillors voted against the proposal as it involved the loss of ancient woodland and said this should not be allowed unless KCC established an overriding need for the ragstone which could not be met elsewhere.
Gallaghers said there was no overall loss as the land was only borrowed and have pledged to reinstate the woodland.
The consultation process is under way and Kent’s planning applications committee is unlikely to consider the matter until at least February 15.
Details can be viewed on the county council’s website.
FORMER county councillor John Frisby, who lives in Mereworth, has been made an Honorary Alderman for his service to the KCC and the people of Kent.
He was elected to the county council in 1989 and served the residents of Maidstone Central for 16 years until he retired in 2005.
Mr Frisby was an “old school” councillor who was fully committed to the role and served on a number of regulatory committees including Audit, Superannuation and Standards Board.
In his first year as a county councillor he was successful in convincing fellow members to vote for his resolution to ban fox hunting on county council land and as a member of the Superannuation Board he was instrumental in setting up the KCC Pensioners Society .
He was also a parish councillor for 17 years and chairman for three. He was a member of the Airfield Environmental Federation and active in animal welfare movement nationally and in Kent.
Mr Frsiby’s drive, persistence and enthusiasm saw the creation of a “secret” green oasis in 2000 which is looked after by local volunteers and members of the Collis Millennium Green Trust. He was the inaugural chairman of the CMGT and was instrumental in sourcing £27,000 for the installation of a “rising 5s” children's play area in 2005. In total CMGT has raised more than £200,000.
Mr Frisby’s commitment to young people included time as a governor of Maidstone Grammar School, retiring only very recently.
He was one of five former county councillors given the title of Honorary Alderman and this is only the second time that these awards have been made by the authority.
KCC Chairman Bill Hayton presented each with a certificate to commemorate their award and their names will be added to the wooden honours board in the council chamber.
Honorary Alderman
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