Renewed fight to prevent SBS plant
TOVIL Parish Council has joined concerned residents in a renewed fight to prevent a large concrete crushing plant becoming es- tablished in Straw Mill Hill. SBS Recycling has appealed the decision
by KCC’s planning committee to refuse per- mission to convert a disused paper recy- cling centre into a facility that would process 90,000 tonnes of building waste a year. The parish council, Tovil Action Group,
Valley Conservation Society, North Loose Residents Association and local borough and county councillors are trying to con- vince a Government planning inspector that the two grounds behind the county coun- cil’s decision, made in January, stand up to scrutiny. They were: The development would undermine the character and distinctiveness of the local
Safety concerns
over river bank THE council has urged a local resident to ensure safety issues along the Medway are ad- dressed. AMillers Wharf resident
has applied to lower and rein- force the river bank between Millers Wharf and Wharf Road. She wants to provide a plat-
form that would make it easier and safer for those boarding and disembarking moored boats along the stretch. At present, a ladder is required. The parish council did not
object to the scheme, but urged that safety measures are in place to reduce the risk of peo- ple falling into the river. After discussions with bor-
ough councillor Mike Hogg, the applicant has agreed to in- stall life belts, safety notices and ranch-style barriers on the the river bank near the moor- ing.
The applicant has also as-
sured the council that she has no intention of closing the pedestrian walkway that cur- rently runs parallel to the river along the stretch. The council was concerned
after a fence was established with gates at either end which have not to date ever been locked.
area and fails to deliver a high quality build environment contrary to the objectives of sustainable development and urban renais- sance. No case of need for the development at
this particular site has been demonstrated sufficient to override and justify the adverse harm being caused to the character and amenity of the area. The parish council is aiming to promote
the message that Tovil is now a residential area and such industrial developments are mainly consigned to the past, as well as il- lustrate the extent of the harm in areas such as increased traffic, pollution and noise. Local borough Cllr Ian Chittenden said:
“Over many years the character of the area has changed from a commercial manufac- turing area, primarily related to the paper industry, to a residential area. Over 1,500
TWO residents from Beaconsfield Road joined the council in the same month. Suzy Neal and Rachel Diment
were co-opted on to the council after deciding they wanted to be more involved in local affairs. Rachel, a kitchen assistant at Mereworth High School, has lived in Tovil for six years. She said: “I don’t feel as if I
know enough about what goes on around here. I felt this was the best way to be involved.” Rachel joined Suzy, who runs
the breakfast club and is a meal- time supervisor at St Michael’s Junior School, Fant, in helping to organise a successful royal wed- ding party in Beaconsfield Road in April.
“There’s too much going on that
I don’t know about,” said Rachel, who has been involved in the Coombe Farm and Tovil Develop-
houses have been built in Tovil in the last 10 years, and further housing develop- ments having been given planning permis- sion, including a site with almost 300 properties, which is adjacent to the SBS site.
“There is serious concern about the ability
of the operators to prevent noise and dust nuisance, particularly in relation to the crushing of concrete material – which is a fundamental part of the proposal. “It is disappointing that KCC Highways
felt that highway issues were not a problem when the exit to the site is on a blind bend. There is already severe congestion in the town centre and on the approach to the nearby recycling centre and there is a record of serious accidents on nearby roads, the latest being last month at the junction of Straw Mill and Tovil Hill.”
Neighbours join the council Camera removed
DISMAY was expressed at Maidstone Council’s apparent decision to re- move a CCTV camera from Wharf Road that was owned by the parish council. In a separate debate, it
was agreed to find out the cost of replacing the camera on Tovil Foot- bridge.
New bin
A NEW, large, heavy duty litter bin is due to be installed at Wharf Road, close to Tovil Footbridge.
ment Group. “There have been so many new developments and buildings that you feel that if you don’t become involved, you can’t really have a say.”
TOVIL Parish Council raised a formal objection to a plan to cre- ate five self-contained flats above the Coral bookmakers in Church Road. The proposal, which includes a two-storey extension, was criticised for overde- velopment, having no amenity facilities for fami- lies likely to live in some of the three-bed properties and no parking provision. It was also argued that the bedrooms were not
Parish objects to flats above Coral
Raffle prizes
INTERESTED compa- nies have been asked to donate prizes for a raffle at this year’s Tovil Fete, which takes place on Saturday, August 27.
bedrooms – 6 by 5 sqm – it is hard to see how you would be able to get a bed and wardrobe in there.
“The rooms are not habitable. Maybe some of
the three-bedroom flats should only have two bedrooms. “The planning statement claims there is a good
large enough for prospective residents. Planning committee chairman Cllr Barry Beard- well said: “If you look at the shape and size of the
bus route in Tovil, which is a joke. I was driving past there today and there were no free parking spaces, yet this development could introduce an- other four cars.” There are no plans to get rid of the betting shop.
18 Town
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
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