Concrete plan crushed Business needs


CAMPAIGNERS in Tovil have won the battle to prevent a large concrete crushing plant from being estab- lished off Straw Mill Hill. Government inspector Terry Phillimore dismissed an appeal made by SBS Recycling to convert a dis- used paper recycling centre into a fa- cility that would process 90,000 tonnes of building waste a year. KCC had refused the application in January. The inspector concluded: “The harm of the proposal is not jus- tified by considerations of need”. He reported: “The addition of sig- nificant numbers of slow-moving HGVs exit- ing from StrawMill Hill would have a material adverse effect on highway safety, notwith- standing that the constraints affect only part of the carriageway and the better views available to drivers of larger vehicles by comparison with cars. “Even with controls on the management of vehicular movements to and from the site, the proposal would give rise to noticeable adverse environmental effects of HGVs along the route through Tovil, at the junction of Straw Mill Hill and Farleigh Hill/Tovil Hill, and within Straw Mill Hill. “These effects relate to the intrusive visual


and other sensory impacts of the relatively fre- quent passage of HGVs, rather than cumulative noise. There would be consequent harm to the quality of the residential environment of Tovil, and to the setting of the Conservation Area by way of vehicles entering and leaving the site directly opposite its boundary.” Mr Phillimore noted that planning approval


had already been granted for 272 houses on land to the rear of the site, owned by Pat and


SBS Recycling has been refused planning consent to cre- ate a concrete crushing plant off Straw Mill Hill, Tovil


Pam Burke. KCC member Cllr Ian Chittenden, who also represents the borough for South ward, said: “This was an excellent team effort from local councillors, Tovil Parish Council, Tovil Action Group, Valley Conservation, the North Loose Residents Association and local residents. “I am particularly pleased that themain rea-


sons outlined by the inspector concentrated on the dramatic change to Tovil parish over the last 30 years, from a commercial paper manu- facturing area to a residential area. “Had the appeal been lost, it would have set


back the improvement to the area that has taken place in recent years and is ongoing. Also, the excellent work undertaken by Valley Conservation, helping to improve our local countryside, should not be forgotten.” KCC member Malcolm Robertson, who is


also on the borough council, said he was “ec- static” about the decision. He was the KCC planning committee member who moved re- fusal back in January, which was marginally voted through by the committee, against the ad- vice of planning officers.


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permanent home CHRISTOPHER Sendles has made another attempt to replace an ex- isting mobile home with a perma- nent dwelling at Army Hut Farm Stables, Stockett Lane, East Far- leigh. The mobile home has temporary permission and is used to facilitate a livery business operated out of the stables. Last December, the ap- plicant withdrew his proposal for a permanent dwelling associated with the business after pre-appli- cation advice from Maidstone Council pinpointed the absence of certified accounts relating to prior trading. The supporting statement for


the latest plan said: “The appli- cants’ endeavour to encourage new clients to opt for a full livery service only and the standard of residential accommodation on- site is a crucial factor in this strat- egy.” The statement went on to argue


that the current mobile home is cramped and unsuitable for Christopher and his partner to raise children in. “The level of current income


from the mixed livery types is able to support and sustain Mr Sendles’ partner running the site but a move towards full livery will in- crease income substantially enough to support both parties.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.


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