Residents quiz panel over gypsies
RESIDENTS of Yalding had a chance to question civic leaders at the village hall – about 100 turned up – and hear answers from MP Helen Grant, KCC leader Paul Carter, local borough councillor Rodd Nelson-Gracie and parish council chairman Geraldine Brown. Emotions ran high over their
gypsy problems and they asked when Maidstone Council would have policies in place for mobile and trailer home sites that would be fair to all. Cllr Nelson-Gracie said policies were emerging as Maidstone Council progressed its Core Strategy but there were years of
Question time for panel members at Yalding village hall: (l to r) KCC leader Paul Carter;MP Helen Grant; panel chairman Dennis Fowle; parish council chairman Geraldine Brown and local bor- ough councillor Rodd Nelson-Gracie
work still ahead. Mrs Grant said Govern- ment ministers were now active on the problems and she was hopeful of action.
Lakes apply for more facilities A PLAN has been submitted to accommodate an office, tackle shop and mobile catering unit at Claygate Lakes, Claygate. Applicant David Montebello also wants to install a drying
room, toilets and two storage containers on a 138 sq m site. His planning statement said: “The site office will allow a presence of site staff to ensure the security of stock fish, the theft of which is becoming a major problem in the industry. “After acquiring the site, the local crime prevention officer vis-
ited the new owner to warn of such local problems and recently police cars and a police helicopter were scrambled to intercept three intruders. The statement added: “The proposal is simply to provide re- placement amenities, which were lost following the separate dis- posal of the original house.” The document also emphasised the small-scale nature of the development, and added that it would provide employment for up to three people and a facility for charitable and community
groups.Maidstone Council will decide on the proposal.
Residents expressed their con-
cerns about the number of heavy goods vehicles on their narrow rural roads and bridges; ways of slowing down traffic; the quality of road surfaces; congestion at the Dartford Crossings; measures to reduce further village flooding; the future of the Syngenta site; proposed changes in national planning laws; cuts in Kent youth services; and the future of core services in Maidstone Hos- pital, especially A&E. The event was organised by
Yalding Conservative Association and chaired by Dennis Fowle, president of Downs Mail.
Barn conversion speeds through committee CONSENT was granted to convert a storage barn into a new home in Marden.
Maidstone Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the application, which involves the demolition of outbuildings, for Bridgehurst Farmhouse in Howland Road. Local ward member Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie raised concerns about road safety. “The road on this part of the village is 60mph but the access splays are not good enough for that speed,” he said. “Maybe we should get it changed to 30mph. I am con- cerned that somebody could get killed.” Despite both he and Marden Parish Council objecting over traffic issues, the committee granted planning permission.
Pub wants shelter ADMIRAL Taverns has ap- plied to construct an open- sided shelter at The Crown and Horseshoes pub in Sut- ton Road, Langley. The proposal, which will
be decided by Maidstone Council, would utilise an ex- isting fenced terraced area adjacent to the entrance of the car park and garden.
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