DownsMail In touch with your parish


Bredhurst Council Appeal refused


IT was reported that the plan- ning inspectorate had dismissed an appeal over refusal of an out- line application for four semi- detached homes at Forge Lodge, Forge Lane, Bredhurst. The fees for the use of the vil-


lage hall for parish council meetings were going up from £21 to £24 per session. It was confirmed this was a special rate for the council. The clerk had written to Southern Water regarding the water meters that had not been installed. A representative was being invited to the February meeting so residents could be kept informed. Regarding the field next to Oaklands, the parish had been informed, in response to an in- quiry, that Maidstone Council’s enforcement team would not be taking any action and had closed the case. A letter had been received from concerned residents, complaining about the state of the field, and the sit- uation would be monitored. The council had received guidelines from the enforce- ment operations team at Maid- stone Council, following the dumping of dog waste by the bin at the start of footpath KH49 in Kemsley Street Road. An ar- ticle would be placed in the forthcoming newsletter and a notice would be displayed. Concern was expressed that


the play area next to the village hall looked untidy. The gate had been damaged, a swingwas missing and the rubber flooring was lifting. This would be dis- cussed at the next finance meet- ing. At a previous meeting, it was reported that there was no longer a PCSO assigned to Bredhurst andthatPCIan Loader was also leaving the neighbourhood rural team. The clerk was to write to the police asking what patrols Bredhurst residents can expect and when a replacement PC and PCSO would be appointed. Nichola Carr was co-opted as


a new member of the parish council. Wendy Kemp had taken over


as the new clerk. The outgoing clerk was thanked for her work over the last year.


Broomfield and Kingswood Council


Planning ahead


IT was resolved that the vision- ing exercise be carried out as a precursor to the Neighbourhood Plan. If sufficient interest was garnered from the exercise then the council would need to apply for funding to research and produce a plan. Project manager Peter Corfield updated members on the


46 East


progress of the application for super-fast broadband.The deadline for applications was January 26. Councillors agreed that the parish precept for 2012/13 be maintained at £33,000, the same as last year. Regarding the bus shelter in Cayser Drive, this issue had still not been progressed, although the damage by a vehicle hap- pened last March. Gallagher’s insurers maintained that Maid- stone Council had not provided relevant paperwork, but the bor- ough insisted that it had. It was reported that during the


recent high winds, the damaged roof of the shelter was seen to represent a potential danger to the public. The clerk would make the borough council aware of the deterioration of the roof and associated safety con- cerns. A resident had raised the problem of litter/fly tipping in the parish and the associated public costs, and requested the parish council address this issue with Maidstone Council. The resident would be advised to contact Maidstone Council’s environmental department. It was also noted that several parish councillors already took time to collect litter whenever possible as part of their Big So- ciety commitment, and would encourage other residents to do likewise.


Downswood Council


Spiltwine accident ATTENDANCE at the Christmas carols and lights ceremony was far greater than anticipated, and apart from an unfortunate inci- dent when mulled wine was spilt, was deemed to be a very successful occasion. Fortu- nately, due to the number of first aiders on hand, care was swiftly administered to the child concerned. To accommodate the ever in- creasing numbers at the event, the clerk was to inquire about availability of the main hall for the 2012 event on Friday, No- vember 30, Concern was expressed re- garding the collection organised by the choir without the coun- cil’s prior knowledge. The choir had explained that it was its “custom and practice” to take collecting tins for charity, but the clerkwas to advise the choir that it was “neither custom nor practice” at parish council events and the council wished to keep the occasion “money free”. It was agreed that eight pieces


of outdoor gym equipment be purchased for Mallards Way and installed on grass mats, for the price of £10,995. Proposals for an “Olympic”


event at Mallards open space on Saturday, July 14, involving


local schools and clubs, was discussed. The draft budget proposals


were accepted and the precept for 2012/13 was set at £323,500. No objections were made to planning applications for ex- tensions at 26 Reinden Grove and 17 Rhodewood Close. The meeting was advised that


the new lights were looking very good and that the shops would be happy to provide a temporary first aid kit for future events. A response had been received


from the ambulance service to the clerk’s complaint from in- formation provided by a coun- cillor regarding parking by an ambulance crew while attend- ing an incident in Murrain Drive. Itwas confirmed that the matter had been investigated and the “crew were patient-fo- cussed at the time and if they came across rude or discourte- ous, they would like to apolo- gise for any distress they may have caused”. A resident had written to the parish council to express dis- gust at the condition of the Fox- den Drive play area and asked whether she should raise a peti- tion. The council said it shared her frustration and would itself be taking the matter to the bor- ough council. Anything that could be done to assist would be appreciated.


Harrietsham Council Jubilee beacon


AS part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the council has purchased a beacon,which will be placed on top of the church tower. The council is hoping to hold an eventwith other village organisations and further de- tails will be published in the local Network magazine. The following planning appli- cations


were considered:


Fairmeadow, Ashford Road, erection of single-storey or- angery – no comment; The Gate- house, Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, retrospective application for mobile home for residential accommodation by caretaker – no comment; Louverne, Stede Hill, erection of swimming pool outbuilding – no comment; Rivendell, Ashford Road, tree preservation order application to cut back one branch on maple tree – approval. Concern was expressed by borough Cllr Tom Sams that housing need in the area was not being met. Residents from Harrietsham and Lenham were unable in some cases to stay in their communities and thus the support networks which many needed could disappear. This was upsetting for all concerned. He could only see affordable housing availability declining in the near future, given the cur- rent economic climate.


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Hollingbourne Council


Weight limit


REGARDING the weight limit on the road bridge across the Bourne, it was acknowledged that a traffic scheme included placing a weight limit sign, but it was still not known what the limit was. The scheme includes white gateways at the A20 vil- lage entrance and improved signs. An interactive speed sign is proposed for next year. David Ardley was co-opted to


fill the vacant seat on the parish council. The chairman said there had


been a great deal of consterna- tion among residents that noise from theM20 had becomemore intrusive lately. It was noted that it was some 20 years since the M20 had opened, that prom- ises of resurfacing had been bro- ken and it was believed this stretch ofmotorwaywas the last to be constructed of rigid con- crete. The following applications


had been approved by Maid- stone Council: Coldharbour Farm, Coldharbour Lane, Huck- ing – erection of detached agri- cultural building with 192 solar panels; 4 Hasteds, Holling- bourne – removal and replace- ment of existing terrace balcony; Oakdene, Firs Lane – amendments to planning per- mission; Winchmore, Ashford Road – single-storey front ex- tension. Two more oak saplings were


ready to be planted along the A20 entrance to the village in a continued attempt to replace the avenue of oaks that once stood there. Following an inquiry to rent


the pavilion and Lance Memo- rial Field, the council wished it noted that the playground area and public footpath were still open to the public during hired hours. Plans werewell under way for


the fete and Diamond Jubilee festivities. It was agreed to hire outside caterers and that admis- sion to the Saturday evening event should be at no charge. The cost of a marquee was thought to be too expensive. Using the gazebos was consid- ered but the lack of response to pleas for help with dismantling last year was an obstacle. The new editor for the parish magazine was named as Katrine Callender.


Lenham Council Cemetery bench


A REPORT from county Cllr Jenny Whittle confirmed the availability of funding for a new bench at the cemetery. The seat outside the library would be refurbished. The debate concerning the fu- ture funding of the youth club


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