Thurnham Parish News


Barty House plan not such a ‘grand design’ THURNHAM Parish Council has opposed plans to build a house to the east of Barty House Nursing Home, in Roundwell. Although members were ini-


Parish council chairman Cllr


tially divided on the merits of the plan, they concluded it could set a precedent for other applications and decided to rec- ommend refusal.


Peter Waite said: “Whichever way you look at it, this is a new building in the countryside and Sandy Lane is not the best road for access.” Visiting Maidstone and Bearsted member, Cllr Richard Ash, said the only new build- ings permitted in rural areas


Meetings normally held on the third Monday of each month at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.


CHAIRMAN: PeterWaite CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173


Yellow lines solution


to junction problem THE parish council is recom- mending a stretch of double yellow lines to alleviate park- ing problems on Hockers Lane. The problems appeared to be worse during weekdays, rather than evenings and weekends, the council heard. Although members agreed


that double yellow lines tended to displace the traffic elsewhere in the area, painting lines from the junction for approximately four car lengths would help keep it clear for moving traffic. KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle has been asked to progress thematter.


Let the GForces be with us… PARISH councillors are to ask Thurnham-based web management company GForces to provide more information on employment generated at their extended premises. GForces, which works on websites for the country’s top auto deal-


ers, was granted planning permission to extend its Caring Lane premises in 2010, on condition that it offered apprenticeships to local young people. Although councillors said they had seen reports about job cre-


ation in the Maidstone Borough Update, they said they had never seen a copy of the legal agreement – nor the report on how they had honoured this agreement, in terms of generating jobs. Members agreed they would invite Owen Smith from GForces to a meeting to discuss the progress of the apprenticeships.


Residents’ contribution to local amenities EACH household in Thurnham will be asked to contribute £34.11 towards parish amenities in the next financial year. Like all parish councils, Thurnham needs modest funds to carry


outminor local tasks and to offer support to local voluntary bodies. Although a grant is made to each parish by MBC from its council tax revenue, this needs to be supplemented by a local precept. Maidstone has greatly reduced


its grant and, having considered its forecast of income and expen- diture for the next three years, has set a precept of £13,918 for 2012/13. This compares with £13,020 for the current year. Full details from the parish clerk.


Jubilee celebrations


THE parish council is to take part in the celebrations by lighting a beacon in the North Downs Way area. The event will be in partnership with a local business.


had to be of a “grand design,” such as the one recently ap- proved for Caring Lane. He said: “This one does not meet the criteria of being a ‘grand de- sign’.” Cllr Mick Wise warned: “If


we approve of this, we could be seen to be setting a prece- dent.”


Plans for play area THURNHAM Parish Council wants to extend and improve the children’s play area and has been granted the funding, but is still awaiting a response from KCC over the transfer of owner- ship of the land. Cllr John Horne said he had fought hard to get the money for the project but feared it could be lost, as it had to be spentwithin three to four years. Cllr Richard Smith said the project was still viable and that the council had the funds for the project set aside. Members agreed to chase KCC for a response.


Designs on signs THE parish council is to con- sider the cost and location of new parish signs for Thurnham. Because of the meandering boundary, the location of the signs could be a dilemma, so members agreed to first con- sider the design and obtain costs and then to consider pos- sible locations.


A Hive of Activity


8.45am – 12.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Button Lane, Bearsted


PLACES AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2012 A warm and caring environment that has been established since 1985.


Full curriculum designed to support young children (2-5 years) in preparation for school, by assisting the development of literacy and numeracy skills through play.


We offer an excellent range of facilities including a large outdoor play area.


Busy Bees Pre-School aims to encourage the children to develop an awareness and knowledge of the world around them through a range of carefully structured learning experiences.


For further information, please call Judy Holland 07944 275459 e-mail: spbusybees@googlemail.com


Registered Charity Ofsted Registered


THE SALVATION ARMY


74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED You are invited to the


LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS on Saturday 10th March 2012 at 7.30pm


at The Salvation Army, 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone (ME14 1ED). This will be led by Maidstone Salvation Army band,


with special guests. Tickets £5 available from the Community Office.


For further information please contact the Community Office on 01622 681808.


10 East Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330


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