Staplehurst gets emergency kudos


THE Staplehurst Emergency Help Team (SEHT) has held its first ever exercise. Led by chairman Rory Silkin and team leader Laureen Rodwell,


the object of the simulation was to set up a community shelter based on the premise of a road crash on the railway bridge involv- ing acetylene cylinders and the evacuation of nearby houses and passengers from a train. Around 20 volunteers took part as well as members of the public


who played the part of evacuees. The event was such an instant success that KCC emergency plan-


ners decided to turn it into a full rest centre exercise. Led by Teresa Young from KCC, the exercise lasted about two


hours and officers decided to make SEHT, which is supported by the parish council, an up-and-running organisation. Staplehurst is the first parish in Maidstone to have organised


SEHT member Bill Piper (crouching) talks to the bereaved girlfriend of a dead van driver in the mock road crash exercise


STAPLEHURST Transits wants to build a 926 sqmextension to its existing distribution centre. The application site, known


as Branden Depot, lies on the north side of the A229 Staple- hurst Road, north of Cross-in- Hand and surrounded by open countryside. It would see the expansion of


an existing warehouse build- ing, with loading bays, hard- standing, parking layout revisions and new landscaping. Agents DHA Planning wrote


in correspondence that the scheme would “meet the com- pany’s needs, enhance effi- ciency of operation and


accommodate growing demand. The development will in fact support the continued success of the local rural economy. “The use by Staplehurst Tran-


sits is particularly suited to this location given its links to the local agricultural and farming industry. Whilst of reasonable size, the building will remain proportionate to the site with


such a comprehensive set up and, with help from KCC, will be- come a template for other parishes. In the event of an emergency the team would be called out by a telephone tree system and set up a rest centre, operating it and deal- ing with initial evacuees until the full team from KCC arrives. From there, SEHT would take a back seat and help as and when needed.


Distribution company seeks extension


the extension occupying exist- ing areas of hardstanding.” Marden Parish Council sup- ported the scheme in principle, but urged Maidstone Council, whowill decide on the applica- tion, to consult the Environ- ment Agency regarding fuel/ chemical run-off from the vehi- cle washing area and run-off from the hardstanding areas.


RSPCA rescue centre proposed ANRSPCA animal rescue centre could be set up in Stones Green, Maidstone Road, Headcorn. The proposalwould see the establishment of a new cattery and


centre for small animals. A dwelling, for the centre manager, is also proposed. A planning statement said: “The existing buildings of ancillary storage and goat pens are to become RSPCA ancillary storage and the goat shed will be refurbished as a small animal shelter for rabbit and guinea pigs. “The centre will be operated by a resident warden and two part


-time volunteers. “It will be open to the public (generally by appointment) six


days a week, 9am-6pm.” Maidstone Council will decide on the application.


Branden Depot is the subject of Staphehurst Transits’ ex- pansion scheme


Classic car


storage plan TIMOTHY Britcher wants to store classic cars in an agri- cultural building in Beech Farm, Sheephurst Lane, Marden. He wrote in his planning statement: “I have a local man that would like to use this building to restore and maintain classic cars. This building may also need to be used by Beech Farm for machinery maintenance on occasions, and tractor stor- age. “I do not see that this would affect anyone in the local area as it would pro- vide an ideal location for a local car enthusiast to main- tain and restore these clas- sic vehicles.”


...as neighbour gets garden cat base DAPHNE Harris has been given retrospective planning permis- sion to erect 12 temporary cat pens for a period of three years at a garden inWest View Cottages, Maidstone Road, Headcorn. The cattery is operated on a charitable basis for the RSPCA and


has been taking in stray and unwanted cats until such time as new homes are found. Maidstone Council allowed permission for the use to remain,


on condition that: “No member of the public shall visit any part of the site in order to deliver, view or adopt cats at any time and the building shall not be used for, or in connection with, any business or commercial use”. This condition was to safeguard the amenities of surrounding occupiers and in the interests of highway safety.


STAPLEHURST Parish Council has criticised an application to erect six two-bedroom elderly persons’ bungalows in place of three garage blocks and an allotment plot on land south of Bell Lane. Golding Homes claims the 28 garages are “pre- dominantly no longer used for the garaging of cars” and says it is “prepared to make an appro- priate contribution towards the provision of al- lotments on a nearby site”. The homes would comprise a detached home


and five bungalows in the form of a terrace. The parish council raised an objection, protesting that


Farmer ‘unable to sell’ due to


condition A YALDING farmer says he is unable to sell his property be- cause of an agricultural resi- dence condition on his property. Richard Sutton marketed his home, garden and five stables on 1.82 hectares of land off Lughorse Lane for a reduced £378,500, but failed to attract a single viewing. For several years there has


been a condition forcing the resident of 2 Orchard Cottages to be employed in agriculture on the farm, but the applicant believes this is no longer neces- sary. His planning statement said:


“The holding as it now stands is only suitable for grazing. While something more inten- sive (ie pigs, poultry) could be farmed, the location of the land abutting residential properties makes this unrealistic to build intensive sheds. “The grazing of say 15-20


sheep or five cattle would not be a sustainable agricultural business. There are five stables that, together with the land, make it suitable for horses only, which isn’t agriculture. “There is no need on the holding for an agricultural dwelling.” Maidstone Council will de-


cide on the planning applica- tion.


Bungalow plans for elderly cause a stir


onsite lighting was insufficient, there was no pavement for pedestrians beside the access road and the gradient of the access road was too steep for wheelchair users. Concern was further expressed about the close proximity of the site to two public houses that regularly had live outside music. It was also ar- gued that the local sewage pumping stations were already at or beyond their capacity and would need upgrading if this development went ahead. Councillors requested the application is de-


cided by Maidstone Council’s planning commit- tee, should officers recommend approval.


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