Veg not allowed on agricultural land


A MARDENcouple were given an enforcement notice for grow- ing fruit and vegetables – on agri- cultural land. Maidstone Council ordered


Michael (pictured) and Carol Walker to get rid of their 98sq m patch to the rear of their home in Roundel Way as it did not have planning permission. The couple, whose yield from


the plot includes sprouts, beans, courgettes, apples and plums, have been forced to submit a ret- rospective application – at a minimum cost of £335 – to change land use from agricul- tural to domestic garden and thus negate the order.


They claim the plot of land


had not been used for agriculture for 50 years and was in “a state of neglect” when they moved there in 1997. They bought it for almost £4,000 two years ago. In a letter sent to Maidstone


Council, the couple wrote: “Why did we not apply previously for change of use? Well, we were under the mistaken impression that vegetables constituted agri- cultural products.” Neighbours Michael and San-


dra Moore wrote to the council: “The piece of land was inacces- sible for farm machinery and was therefore left completely un- attended by the farmer.


Vehicle collector seeks legal storage YALDING collector Brian Laker has retrospectively applied to store and maintain his fleet of British heritage and military vehicles at his Mill Lane home. Mr Laker constructed a 470 sqmbuilding to house his collection


of mainly WWII vehicles, which he displays at summer events and makes available to organisations, including government agencies, for use in parades and similar events. However, he did so without gaining planning permission and


needs Maidstone Council consent to allow the continued legal use of former agricultural land. His supporting statement claims the ve- hicles need to be stored under cover for security reasons and to pre- vent them fromdeteriorating, especially during the winter months.


Fire damage plan A PLANhas been lodged for listed building consent to re- pair and reconstruct fire-dam- aged Verralls Barn in St Anns Green Lane, Marden.


MP’s school visit MP HELENGrant held a ques- tion and answer session and was given a guided tour by pupils when she recently vis- ited Loose Junior School.


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“We were very pleased for them [to pur- chase] as this particular piece of land had al- ways been covered in brambles and weeds that encroached under our fence and caused a nui- sance to us. “They have planted a wonderful variety of vegetables and fruit and have encouraged our four children to go next door to pick the fruits of their labours. The example set by our neigh- bours couldn’t have been more practical for them to appreciate – how a small piece of wasted land has been turned into this wonder- ful array of home produce. TheWalkers believe that planning rules sug-


gest a change of use application should not be required, but their letter added: “We will go through the process to avoid doubt if and when the time comes when we need to sell the house.”


New road named after builder


A FORMER Staplehurst busi- nessman is set to take his place in the village’s history by hav- ing a road named after him. The parish council has agreed


that a new development by Golding Homes should be called Lampard Close after the late Dicky Lampard who ran a prominent garage for many years. The developers had sug-


gested that their new affordable housing area off Winch’s Garth should be called Dickens Lair, referring to the great novelist’s stay in Staplehurst after a rail- way accident there in 1865.


But this was rejected in favour of the name put forward by resident Ron Hegarty. Mr Hegarty said Dickens only stayed in Staplehurst overnight as the victim of circumstances and lair was to do with ani- mals. “I suggested a more ap- propriate name should be after someone who ran a successful business in Staplehurst.”


Opening changes THE proposed reduction in opening hours at Chart Sutton Post Office has been confirmed.


It is now open 10am–2pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.


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