Open space is likely to be lost
MAIDSTONE Council fears itwill be unable to prevent development on open space in Grove Green. As reported in last month’s Downs Mail,
the borough successfully defended its non- determination of the development of 14 homes in Penhurst Place. Planning inspector Elizabeth Fieldhouse refused to grant planning permission to Ward Homes for the creation of four three- bedroom houses, eight two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats.
However, the borough council fears the
tone of the refusal gives the green light for another planning application on the land.
Development control manager Rob Jarman
said: “That site is designated open space in our adopted plan but we lost the argument. The inspector said there is enough open space in the immediate area.” Cllr Tony Harwood said: “The inspector
was not alive to issues of land designation. Even though we won the appeal,we lost the
Busy Sherrie takes job No. 5
The busy life of parish clerk Sherrie Babington has just got even busier. She brings a wealth of experience
to her new job as clerk to Linton Parish Council as she already acts as clerk to four other parishes. The married mum of three (pic- tured), who lives inWalderslade, is clerk to Leeds, Detling and Thurn- ham parishes, as well as Hoo St Werburgh in Medway. Previously, she has worked in fi- nancial roles for Kent County Coun- cil and Rochester City Council. Mrs Babington was selected by Linton after 40 people expressed an interest in the role. She has replaced Mike Stevens
who stepped down at the end of September after 20 years as clerk. He said: “It will certainly be a big change and I will miss it. I decided after 20 years, that was long enough. I have never been so busy in my life. I am moving house and it was a convenient time to put the two together.”
argument. “There will be a fresh application on a smaller scale with a better design and it will go through.” Mr Jarman added that all future new open
land should be adopted by Maidstone Council, rather than left in the hands of the developers. “When we are approving our housing es-
tates and developments, those areas should be transferred to us so we are not dependent on other people,” he said.
Petition to save Greensand Ridge from developers
A PETITION with more than 200 names calling for the pro- tection of the Greensand Ridge was presented to Maid- stone full council. Theridge–astripofland
south of Maidstone that ex- tends across Boughton Mal- herbe, Ulcombe, Sutton Valence, Linton and Yalding – is under pressure from devel- opers because, unlike the Kent Downs, it is not categorised as an Area of Outstanding Natu- ral Beauty (AONB). In August, permission was granted for a new seven-bed- room home to be erected in open countryside at Liverton Hill, and petitioners fear that a proposal for Wierton Place, Boughton Monchelsea, could be damaging to the unique
landscape of the Greensand Ridge. An application was submit-
ted in April to replace a night- club and apartments with a total of 24 homes. Presenting the petitionwas Jonathan Ger- shon, who said: “Residents re- ject the idea that this is a brownfield site. It is very much in the heart of the coun- tryside and needs to be treated that way in the council’s poli- cies.” He also raised concerns
about the number of travellers setting up in this area. The petition was referred to
the cabinet and scrutiny com- mittees. TheWierton Place ap- plication will be determined by Maidstone Council at a later date.
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