Polytunnels expansion gets go-ahead


LARGE-scale expansion of a polytunnels site just south of Maidstone has won unan- imous backing from the borough planners. And Boughton Monchelsea Parish Coun-


cil was praised for supporting the applica- tion to extend the coverage of polytunnels at Parkwood Farm, Brishing Lane. Maidstone’s planning committee granted


permission for applicant George Charlton & Sons to add another 53 acres to the 14 acres of polytunnels currently being used for growing fruit, after the proposal received an endorsement from parish council chairman Cllr Stephen Munford. He said: “We should protect the agricul- tural industry to preserve the countryside


ABUS company believes the imminent clo- sure of Maidstone's mail sorting office could pave the way for a reshaping of public trans- port services in the town. The Sandling Road site, next to Maid-


stone East rail station car park, may be shut within two years as Royal Mail plans to cen- tralise the county's postal sorting operations in Medway.


within our village. We have all seen vast areas of agricultural land go over to a de- veloper because the farmer has been unable to make the land profitable. “The countryside is not static. The intro- duction of the hop picking machine and then later the demise of hop growing, the introduction of oil seed rape and its bright yellow bloom, EU policy resulting in fields left fallow and the decline of our fruit or- chards because the grower was unable to compete. “There are just a few of the issues that


have changed the appearance of our coun- tryside, and now we see the introduction of the polytunnel. This is only another devel-


Rail-bus interchange suggested for mail site Norman Kemp, owner of Nu Venture


buses in Aylesford, said: "A developer with vision could use the land currently used by the car park and sorting office to create a proper bus interchange immediately along- side the station, perhaps with a new multi- storey car park to the north." He hoped KCC and Maidstone Council would take a strategic view of the site.


opment to allow us to compete in what is now a world market. “To save what is left of our countryside


and to protect our agricultural industry, grant this application.” Not everybody was in favour of the plan.


Resident Peter Cooper told the committee that the size of the land covered by poly- tunnels was excessive. But it was passed unanimously by the


committee. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “As an urban edge area - the buffer between the built-up extent of south Maidstone and Boughton Monchelsea - agricultural land in this area is very vulnerable, so we need to do everything we can to support its viabil- ity.”


Cllr Richard Ash added: “It is good to


have a parish council that is pro-agriculture. This has not always been the case when it comes to this committee. “Polytunnels are the way forward. If you


don’t allow them, you are expecting our farmers to work with one hand tied behind their backs. If we are seeking sustainability then we have to try and produce as much food as we can in this country.”


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Barming Council Health and safety


COUNCILLOR Sandra Manser reported that, following on from a recent village hall meeting, it had come to light that the cor- rect health and safety proce- dures were not in place for the use of electric cooker rings in the parish hall kitchen. Cllr Manser offered to arrange their removal. It was agreed to increase parish hall hire charges from April. Regular users will pay from £5.50 to £6.50 per hour and other hirers from £8 to £10. The council agreed to employ


an architect, rather than a builder, to prepare and submit a planning application for Barm- ing Community Hall. Another quote was being sought. It was agreed that the rent for


the use of the parish field by Barming Youth FC should in- crease from £650.60 to £675 from April. The precept was set for the forthcoming year at £14,929, an increase of 20% on last year’s precept of £11,845. Band D households would have to pay £19.74, up from £15.66 the pre- vious year. Council chairman Cllr Fay Gooch had represented the parish council at the funeral of former clerk Vikki Stancombe. There had been a good turnout despite the poor weather. Cllr Gooch reported that she


had spent some time at the parish hall with her husband, clearing leaves and weeds from the car park, and cleaning the walls inside. Her husband had started repairing the holes made by darts in the storage room walls. Cllr Manser reported that


there were problems with the new chair carrier blocking the fire exit at the village hall. Cllr Gooch added that she had re- ceived a complaint from the Keep Fit group. Cllr Ken Hesse suggested that a dozen of the plastic chairs be moved down to the pavilion for storing to make more room in the chair store to manoeuvre the chair carrier eas- ily. This was agreed. Cllr Peter Budgen reported


that the governors of Barming Primary School had met and approved their new budget but said that they needed to be cre- ative to raise funds. The school had full intake figures for the forthcoming year. Cllr Budgen added that any development at Bell Farm would have a big im- pact on the school. Cllr Hesse reported that the


refurbishment of the bus shelter outside The Bull pub had been completed. Cllr Martin Greenwood com- mented that the platform at East Farleigh station was, once again, becoming overgrown with nettles, forcing passengers over the yellow safety line. Cllr Gooch added that Network Rail had admitted that it was a health and safety issue and had cleared them before. Cllr Gooch offered to liaise with Ian Pater- son from the Medway Valley Community Rail Partnership, who had assisted with this problem previously. A letter had been received


from East Farleigh Parish Coun- cil requesting permission to place warning signs either side of the bridge to discourage lorry drivers from following their Sat- navs, as this was not a suitable route for large vehicles. It was confirmed that East Farleigh would pay all costs incurred.


Councillors raised no objection, subject to East Farleigh Parish Council first obtaining the view of Kent Highways. Also, it was thought the signs should not be placed too close to the bridge, as it would be too late for drivers to divert. The pavilion roof repairs had


been completed and it was noted that the contractor had found that all of the felt roof joints on the south-facing slope of the roof were starting to crack.


Loose Council Allotment plea


A MEMBER of the public ex- pressed his dismay at the long waiting list for the allotments. He felt Loose residents should be given the chance to have an allotment plot within their own parish. It was also mentioned that allotments are important for the local community and that it does not seem fair that people from other areas have priority. Parish chairman Cllr Vianne Gibbons said only a small amount of the precept goes towards any repair works, and most expenditure comes from the fees levied from the al- lotment holders. It was also mentioned that in previous years it was difficult for plots to be filled, so non-parishioners were invited to take them. It was announced that Loose


had come within the top 10 vil- lages in Kent in the Trees in the Village competition 2010. The parish had been awarded a tree to the value of £15. Cllr Roy Hood was to decide on the tree and to arrange planting in the same line of trees and location as last year, off the A229 Linton Road/Old Loose Hill.


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Following the theft of the cash machine atLloyds Bank at the top of Cripple Street, commu- nity warden Liz Lovatt advised that anyone who sees a JCB being driven on the road at odd times of the day or night should report it to police. Concerns were raised about a


vandalised grave in the church- yard at All Saints’ Church. Ms Lovatt asked whether


Loose might have a suitable site for recycling items such as glass, clothing etc. Maidstone Council would keep the area clean. Consideration would have to be given to residents re- garding noise and litter. Concerns were raised by resi-


dents regarding scrap metal and other rubbish in theWell Street area.


PCSO Richard Chaney stated


that Loose was among the low- est in Maidstone for crime rates, but anything suspicious or causing concern to residents should be reported. Cllr Hood mentioned trees


being hacked on the A229 with- out any consultation. Dianne Cunningham, MBC team leader for heritage landscape and de- sign, had been made aware of the situation. The Big Lottery Community


Wildlife fund application for Brooks Field was to include both parts of the project; pond de-silting and clearing and planting for a coppice. It was confirmed that the £1,000 that was allowed for in this year’s budget was to be used for public consultation on such works. Cllr Hood mentioned possible


road works on Old Loose Hill concerning drainage, and said there were telephone cables under the surface. The clerk was asked to find out more.


Town 39


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