DownsMail In touch with your parish


Addington Council Updates to hall


THE village hall committee was still gathering quotes for im- provements including a new shed for storage, a patio and ac- cess doors, a grass reinforcing option for the car park and par- tial re-roofing of the sports pavilion. The committee was likely to request community project support funding from the parish council. The Trees in the Village com- petition judge had visited and seemed impressed. The recreation ground had


been accepted as part of the QEII Fields in Trust Challenge and the deed of trust was signed. It was agreed that the parish council should apply for a church tower beacon to be lit on June 4, 2012, for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Local organisations would be invited to form a working group to organise some local events. Complaints about youths speeding on bikes and gener- ally causing a nuisance in East Street would be reported to PCSO Kim Hockey. Following a discussion about speeding vehicles in the vil- lage, particularly in Trottiscliffe Road, itwas resolved to ask the police for some speed gun checks in the area. The council also requested regular patrols in St Vincents to try to deter fly tipping there. Councillors recommended approval of proposals for the construction of an improved junction and access road at West Malling Golf Club, Lon- don Road. However, the coun- cil would like some points to be considered including speed limit restrictions as a condition. The council objected to a ret- rospective application for a new vehicle preparation bay and photographic studio at Big MotoringWorld, London Road. It listed a number of concerns including that the develop- ment would be harmful to the rural and visual amenities of the area; it would have a detri- mental effect on neighbouring properties; and it would gener- ate an increase in traffic. It was noted that the borough council had refused applica- tions for schemes at Lane Farm House, Mill House Lane, and at Wychwood, Sandy Lane. Conversion of a garage for mixed residential and ancillary bed and breakfast use at Pretty Maid House, London Road, was granted.


Alcohol concerns PCSO Rose Sparrowhawk re- ported that Sainsbury’s petrol station had stopped selling al- cohol following incidents of


Aylesford Council


older youths buying and pass- ing drink on to underage youths. She also reported she had


spent considerable time in local schools this autumn and had in- vestigated reports of anti-social behaviour in Robson Drive. The parish office has copies


of Eccles resident Ray Stur- geon’s 2012 Three Villages cal- endar for sale at £6. Proceeds to local schools. The community warden re- ported continuing problems with dog fouling around the vil- lage square and recreation ground. CCTV had been sited in Eccles Row and this appeared to have moved the problem down the path towards Alma Road, where bags of dog waste had been thrown over garden fences. There had been incidents of vandalism and cable theft from the new solar panel site off Bull Lane, which were highly dan- gerous activities. Investigations were ongoing into the thefts and increased security measures. A councillor referred to the


report that the High Street cul- vert work would be delayed until after Christmas to avoid affecting businesses’ seasonal trade. He questioned the priori- ties of commercial business against the possible risk of flooding of properties. County Cllr Peter Homewood advised this was a KCC cabinet decision and that work had been given high priority status for the new year. This was to be discussed at a site meeting in October. It was hoped the new signs in


the village for Aylesford Church would soon be in place.


Birling Council Footpath debris


IT was noted that the footpath at The Bank had recently been swept as part of general road cleaning but there was now fur- ther debris.. Several footpaths including


the one from Masters Lane to Ryarsh stables had been walked and all were clear. Some ram- blers had commented to the chairman on the good condition of paths in the area. A new salt bin to replace the


one at the lower end of Stangate Road had been ordered at a cost of £162 plus VAT. The chairman reported on the Birling Village Hall Charitable Trust committee meeting. The village party had been a great success but there would be a shortfall between costs and do- nations. The trust’s income was down on previous years and costs had increased.Ways of ad- dressing the shortfall were dis- cussed and increasing the hall hire charge may be considered. The chairman had informed


the committee that the parish council was unable to make its


usual contribution this year but did wish to contribute to BVHCT as a vital facility for the village. A donation of around £700 was suggested subject to final figures being provided. A decision on parish funding


for the proposed Jubilee party in 2012 would be made at a later date. The parish budget to Septem-


ber 30 showed a projected bal- ance of approximately £1,500 at year end instead of the deficit of £1,400 previously forecast. Sav- ings had been made by limiting charitable donations to the Poppy Appeal and BVHCT and by a reduction in the clerk’s hours from 10 to 7.5 a week. It was agreed that it may be nec- essary to request a small in- crease in the precept when the borough allocation is an- nounced later this year. The Poppy Appeal wreath


had been ordered at a cost of £67.


The clerk was contacting KCC


to find out when the traffic calming work would start. Cllr Colin Grimmett advised that a lorry had been obstructing traf- fic at Parsons Corner after fol- lowing incorrect satnav directions. No objections were raised to planning applications for tree pruning at Birling House West, 19 Ryarsh Road, and a garage conversion at Laundry Cottage, 281 Snodland Road.


Big screen viewing Ditton Council


INQUIRIES had been made about hiring a big screen for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee cele- brations but this could cost sev- eral thousand pounds. An article had been placed in the forthcoming Ditton Gazette ask- ing for suggestions from resi- dents.


Complaints had been received


from elderly and disabled resi- dents in Nursery Road that staff from the newly opened Papas restaurant were parking there and hindering their access. Bor- ough Cllr Carol Gale had spo- ken with a TMBC officer who was looking to make two tem- porary disabled parking bays, which, if they become perma- nent,would be enforceable. She would contact the owners of Papas to make them aware of the problem. Residents at Cobdown had


been experiencing extreme anti-social behaviour. Cllr Gale was looking to organise a pub- lic meeting with the police. Two residents attended to ex-


press concerns about the re- peated damage to the trees at New Road recreation ground.It was noted the council’s ground staff had removed six trailer loads of debris from the site and have had to make safe the re- mains of the trees. It was re-


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


solved to ask the police to pur- sue this matter. No objections were made to proposals to trim six sycamores and erect a conservatory at 37 The Stream. The council had no objection


in principle to an outline appli- cation for a three-bedroom house as an extension to the ex- isting terrace at 6 Peartree Av- enue. However, concerns were expressed about vehicles ac- cessing and exiting the prop- erty as it is so close to the primary school entrance which may compromise the safety of the children. It was noted that the borough council had refused an applica- tion for illuminated signage at Papas fish restaurant. Members noted that a plan-


ning enforcement investigation would be undertaken in respect of a sea food stall at the Kentish Quarryman.


Copper haul


East Malling Council


COMMUNITY warden Mandy Harris had found two black bin liners in the village hall car park containing cable which had been split open and the copper wiring removed.On close inspection, she found a bank statement addressed to a male resident. Bev Horn, the lit- ter warden, had photographic evidence and was dealing with this incident. A number of items had been dumped by the bins at East Malling Village Hall car park, including large pot plants, a water pump, lawnmower, patio table, chairs and garden planters. County Cllr Trudy Dean had received a request to fund measures to prevent access by travellers to the green site on Bradbourne Fields, which they had previously occupied. Use of her member’s highway


fund for the permanent vehicle activated signs in Lunsford Lane and New Hythe Lane had been approved. East Malling Speedwatch


group had applied for two new sites inWateringbury Road and New Road. Another site at the south end of Lunsford Lane was being assessed. Sir John Stanley MP would


be putting the parish’s concerns about the Government’s plan- ning proposals to the commu- nities and local government minister. No objection was raised to a retrospective planning applica- tion for the incorporation of a steel container cabin at land adjacent to 15 Lunsford Lane into an existingmound of earth to function as a non-residential lock-up or garden shed. It was agreed to ask for more Turn to page 38


Malling 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48