Medical centre loses parking fight


YELLOW lines close to a medical centre will stay, despite a plea from staff and pa- tients to have them removed. A petition bearing 566 signatures was or- ganised by the centre in Admiral Moore


Drive, Aylesford, in protest at the parking restrictions just two months after they were installed. But Tonbridge and Malling Council said that after careful consideration, the lines


RESIDENTS were flummoxed about where to park when double yellow lines appeared in their cul de sac. They say they were left with nowhere to park


must stay. The council agreed to the scheme follow-


ing a meeting with representatives of the Royal British Legion Village, Kent High- ways, local councillors and the police.


Hopes of solution to East Malling ‘yellow peril’ She added: “Residents have nowhere to park


near their homes. But the borough council in- sists it consulted widely on the East Malling Parking Plan before going ahead. Car owners in Carnation Close - at the end of Carnation Cresent - claim it was difficult enough to find parking places before but the double yellow lines have made it impossible. Now ward councillor Liz Simpson is trying to negotiate a solution. "I have been in contact with the borough and I think the best way for- ward would be to write to all residents to get their opinions and then, if necessary, remove the double yellow lines in the head of the cul de sac."


so the unintended consequence of this is that more cars are parking instead on the grass area, which is owned by Russet Housing. I think there must be a way of using some grasscrete or something to extend the parking area without losing the green space." Cllr Simpson admitted it was a "difficult one". Consultation had included a letter drop to everyone in the village, exhibitions and the usual notification on lampposts. She said: "Residents here tell me they were


not aware of the proposals until the first double yellow line appeared." Generally, the borough council likes to leave parking plans in place for 18 months, to allow things to settle down before making any changes, added Cllr Simpson.


This highlighted the in- creased difficulties of RBLV res- idents in crossing the road safely to get to themedical cen- tre and pharmacy due to the persistent high number of vehi- cles parked nearby. The council was told that


many RBLV residents do not have cars and rely on mobility buggies. It was noted there were two


large off-road communal park- ing areas each side of Admiral Moore Drive just a short walk away. The pharmacy and medical


centre had raised no formal ob- jections during the consultation process.


Green light for solar New play


area opens AWOODLAND-themed play area has officially opened in Leybourne Chase, Ley- bourne. The playground is situated within a 140-acre woodland area, close to the new Taylor Wimpey homes development. TheMayor of Tonbridge,


Cllr Brian Luker (pictured above), opened the park, which also includes a round- about, slides, a tree house and ladders.


Youngsters enjoy the new play equipment.


Hop Farm’s marina proposal Continued from page one


rides and outdoor play areas would be key features. East Peckham, Nettlestead and


Yalding parish councils as well as Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling borough councils were among those consulted. Most of the respondents at a re-


cent public exhibition backed the overall aim of focusing on the his- toric, hop-related heritage of the site; of providingmore facilities and experiences for families; and of in- troducing on-site accommodation. Other ideas include: Shuttle bus from PaddockWood


rail station  Local food and produce outlet  Landscaped bike trail


10 Malling


Micro-brewery Peter Bull, who operates a number


of UK visitor attractions, bought the Hop Farm in 2007. The planning brief, under 'Owners' Aspirations', says: "Although outside the study area of the planning brief, the own- ers will continue to improve the wider estate, with the aim of hold- ing high-quality events, providing sites for touring carvans/camping, opening up access to the rivers with water-based activities, to include a possible marina." Planning consent has already been granted for 64 holiday lodges but al- ternative plans include reducing the number of lodges and replacing them with a hotel/conference cen- tre.


farm at waste paper site PLANS for a huge solar energy park near Bull Lane, Eccles, have been given the go- ahead by Tonbridge andMalling Council. The 26-acre site on the banks of the River Medway, was previously used for the bulk storage of waste paper and as a water treat- ment plant. Permission has been granted to waste re- covery and energy company Biossence to build 1,047 solar panels in 76 rows, reach- ing a maximum height of 2.2 metres. The solar farm is expected to generate 4.5mW for the National Grid. No objection was raised by Aylesford Parish Council. The company’s proposals for a waste to energy plant on the other side of the river at Larkfield are in the early stages of the plan- ning process.


Bowled over by return TOWNSEND Hook Bowls Club took to the green for their first match at their new club in Paddlesworth Road. Although the club house was not totally complete, the Townsend Hook team played against Ayles- ford Paper Mill and Kimberley Clarke in a county knock-out fours competition. Joining the club, who won this first com- petition, costs £50. For details, contact An- gela Doorey on 01634 242781.


Town park is in the frame


NEW K frames have been fitted at the entrances to Snod- land’s Nevill Park at Brook Lane and Saltings Road, to allow access for mostmobility scooters, while continuing to restrict access for motor bikes. Karen Grayhurst (left) and Alison Tompsett, pictured


with dogMillie, helped out with the fitting of the frames to make sure they were suitable.


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