Tree stump preservation is ‘nonsense’
MAIDSTONE Council has acted to preserve the remains of a tree in the garden of a house in Sittingbourne Road that was felled by its owners. The borough’s planning committee agreed
to place a tree preservation order on a cedar to the rear and sweet chestnut in the front garden of The Lodge. According to local councillor and plan-
The tree in the front garden of The Lodge and (below) the stump showing re-grwoth
ning committee member Cllr Tony Har- wood, the sweet chestnut was felled last September, causing complaints from local people. The TPO will enable the tree to grow
back. Cllr Harwood said: “On Saturday, September 25, 2010 my telephone went in- sanewhen a real landmark tree started to be felled. It was hacked down in a haphazard way. This is a high-profile tree directly op- posite the junction with Hampton Road. “Its amenity and historic value is signifi-
cant. The chestnut coppice is very much part of the character of Maidstone and the
THE caretaker of the Pilgrims’ Retreat mobile home park in Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, has applied to remain living there permanently. Kevin Hickley has lived with
his family in a mobile home on the site as an employee since 1985, but Maidstone Council was considering enforcement action because his residence means the site goes beyond the permitted threshold of 18 per- manent mobile homes. A large number of other mo-
bile homes on the site can be oc- cupied for10monthsofthe year. Mr Hickley’s supporting statement says that he and his family would be deemed ‘home- less’ if the council does not let him remain there. It added: “There is also a clear
need for a caretaker to helpman- age and provide security on the park. This is a large mobile home park with a high propor- tion of elderly people living here. They welcome the pres- ence of a caretaker.
wider Kent landscape and itwould be a ret- rograde action if it were lost.” The Lodge is currently on the market. In
April, Maidstone Council refused an appli- cation to demolish the current house and re- place it with four five-bedroom dwellings. Kim Frazer, who has lived at The Lodge
with her husband since 1997, objected to the TPO. She said: “The chestnut stump is ex- actly that – a stump, it’s not a tree.We feel we have been penalised yet done nothing wrong. “In our time at The Lodge we have cut
down two trees for safety -– one is the chest- nut tree in question – but have planted an- other 20. We have received expert advice that it will not grow to be a single-stem tree. To put a TPO on a stump is nonsense.” Her letter of objection, which was sent to
the council, added: “We asked a profes- sional tree surgeon for his opinion of the stump and he told us that, without pruning, it will grow into a very large unruly bush that will limit our access and enjoyment of
Mobile home park caretaker could become ‘homeless’ “The applicantwould be will-
ing to agree limiting the use of this mobile home to a caretaker and his/her family, as long as that right was for 12 months of the year. “That way the mobile home
could reasonably be argued not to have unfettered residential use rights, and there would therefore no longer be any breach of the planning condi- tion.”
Maidstone Council will rule on the application.
the bank in our garden.” The officer report in favour of
the TPO said: “The sweet chest- nut stump, located within the front garden, shows signs of re- generation that, if left to ma- ture, is likely to contribute significantly to the amenity of the area. Both trees are consid- ered to be under threat due to po- tential development of the site.” Cllr Ian Chittenden added: “I
do think it will grow back and help to improve that property.” Twelve of the 13 committee members voted to protect the trees. Cllr RichardAsh abstained.
Welcome to Christmas Worship at
Maidstone United Reformed Church 67 Week Street
CHRISTMAS AT THE SALVATION ARMY Christmas Services
This Christmas please join us for the following services, to celebrate the joy of the season. For tickets (where applicable) or additional information please contact the Community Office on 01622 681808.
Tuesday 6th December Carols by Candlelight at 8.00pm. Free entry.
Please join us for coffee & mince pies after the service. Sunday 11th December Christingle Service at 6.00pm Friday 16th December Community Carol Concert
at 7.30pm in aid of Mencap Maidstone. Tickets can be obtained from the Community Office at a cost of £5 (children under 15 Free)
Sunday 18th December Carol Service at 6pm. Please join us for coffee & mince pies after the service.
Our usual Sunday services are held at 10.15am & 6pm throughout the year and you are guaranteed a warm welcome!
74-80 UNION STREET MAIDSTONE ME14 1ED
Sunday 18th Dec: 10:00 Service of Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve: 18.00 Candlelight Family Service Christmas Day: 10:00 Family Worship Service
Come and celebrate the joy of Christmas with us
ON BEARSTED GREEN with the Salvation Army Band
CAROLS 7.30-8pm
WEDNESDAY 14th DECEMBER BRING A TORCH!
Afterwards soup and french bread will be served at the Methodist Church - no charge!!
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 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