DownsMail In touch with your parish


at Swadelands was ongoing and Cllr Whittle would keep the parish council informed of de- velopments. A site visit to the Lock Up would be made to decide on the best course of action follow- ing an inspection, which high- lighted a problem with drainage on the roof. It was confirmed the camera


in the churchyard was now re- paired and recording. A member of Maidstone Council landscapes team had accompanied councillors on a tree inspection and had given his opinion on several trees that were causing concern. The perennial problem of irrigation for the lime trees in The Square was discussed and a report would follow. Root damage to the drive at the cemetery was


also considered and several op- tions to lessen future deteriora- tion would be discussed by the cemetery project team. Ewan Drylie wastobeco-


opted as a parish councillor and would join the next full council meeting in February. There was one more vacancy on the coun- cil and anyone interested was advised to contact the clerk, Margo McFarlane, on 01622 859682 for further details. KCC had officially transferred


the Cherry Downs picnic site to the care of the parish council with a three-year funding pack- age to ensure maintenance and improvements. A site visit would be arranged to decide on a tree pruning programme. All the salt bins were replen-


ished and ready for use. An extra jumbo bag of salt was


available and the jumbo bag at the community centre would be transferred to Sandway. It was reported that the Lenham community hub con- tinued to be well supported with more than 50 people at- tending the December meeting at the social club. A trip to the Hazlitt at Maidstone for 30 members had been due to take place in January.


Adverse weather MEMBERS discussed possible arrangements for the village hall/recreation ground car park during severe weather and arrangements for parish council meetings on such occasions. A notice would be placed on the top of agendas and meeting no- tices during the winter months


Ulcombe Council River deep, mountain high…


ADOWNSWOODman is hoping to tackle the four highest peaks in England in the fastest possible time, as part of a Guinness Book of Records char- ity bid in aid of Sport Relief. Scott Redington (19) from Longham Copse, and


his friendDavid Roberts (19) from Chester plan to tackle the Lake District’s four principal peaks – Scafell Pike, Scafell, Ill Crag and Helvellyn – in under 36 hours to make it into the record books. They also hope to raise a significant sum for the sporting charity in the Olympics year. Scott, a former pupil of Oakwood ParkGrammar School, is studying philosophy and theology at Heythrop College in London. His mountainous feat was inspired by his for-


merOakwood schoolmaster Chris Stockwell,who still holds the record for climbing the three peaks of Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, from 1977.


Scott said: “As far as I amaware, climbing Eng-


land’s four peaks has no official record attached, so we are hoping to get it recorded as a new chal- lenge. “We wanted to spend as much time as possible


on the climb, rather than travelling between the mountains by road.” Scott and David will set out onMonday, Febru-


ary 13, and are hoping that the Lakeland weather will be kind to them. They have a contingency for snow, but if conditions are particularly treacher- ous, they will postpone the trek.


Council footpath vote BROOMFIELD and Kingswood Parish Council has been given the casting vote on whether or not to fund a footpath on Lenham Road to the sports field. More than 100 residents signed a peti-


tion asking for a footpath along the Lenham Road at Kingswood, to ensure the safety of pedestrians using the sports field and its facilities. However, residents along the Lenham


Road who would be affected by the scheme objected to a proposal from the county council and the plans were dropped. Cllr Jenny Whittle, in conjunction


with the parish council, has since funded a design and cost estimate for an alternative plan that has been put before members, who will now have to decide whether or not they wish to go ahead with the scheme.


advising that in severe weather conditions, the public should consult the clerk, chairman or website to confirm the meeting being held and the venue. A planning application for a


new access at Diamond, Lenham Road, Kingswood, to provide rear access to Nut Tree Cottage was considered. Mem- bers noted a change of wording for the application. It was re- solved that the council still wished to see it refused. The parish council’s insurers


had advised that volunteers were covered to carry out work on the pavilion roof, where it could be accessed from a low stepladder. It was resolved that two coun- cillors would secure the lower bolts on the roofing sheets to prevent further damage.


Trees must remain AWALDERSLADEmanhas been forbidden from cuttingdowntwo protected trees he says are caus- ing problems to his property. William Flegg wanted to fell an


ash tree as he had concerns it would collapse onto his home at 19 Spenlow Drive in adverse weather. He also wanted to cut down a field maple for causing mould at his home. But Maidstone Council’s deci-


David Roberts and Scott Redington(right) are planning to make it into the Guinness Book of Records with their four peaks challenge


Although David’s family has a house near Lake


Windermere, Scott has only a minimal amount of climbing experience in the Lakes so he knows it is going to be a tough challenge. He said: “We have been told there is a 20% chance of snow.” The first three peaks are all within a 10-mile ra-


dius, but Helvellyn is some 20miles away. Scott said: “There won’t be much time for rest-


ing and we have allowed ourselves no more than four hours sleep in order to cover the distance. “This challenge is one way of showing support


to those that have allowed me to get to this stage inmylife. I amalso hoping it will gain the support of people in my home town of Maidstone and throughout Kent.”


PLANS by Gallagher Properties for a storage and distribution centre at Sandling have come under fire from Boxley Council. The proposed 3,532 sq metres building at Brooklyn Yard, Chatham Road, is in an un- sustainable location, says the council, which has recommended refusal and asked for it to be referred to Maidstone’s planning commit- tee.


The parish said the scheme went against


the Local Plan as it had no safe pedestrian ac- cess, no access to public transport and un- safe cycling conditions. The plan had 48 car parking spaces but


there was no information on the number of employees. Although the sitewould be dug out and the development would bewithin this bowl, the council said itwould still be visible from the Area Of Natural Beauty. It would like to see a “green roof” added tomitigate the impact.


sion report instead suggested pruning the trees as they are “prominent mature specimens highly visible from surround- ing roads and both provide a valuable contribution to the character of the area”.


Garage refusal THE proposed erection of a de- tached garage inWeavering was deemed out of character with the local area by Maidstone Council. The planning department


also refused Nigel Threadgill’s planning application for 1 Rosemount Gardens because it would have caused “unaccept- able erosion of the root protec- tion area” of a protected ash tree.


Traffic fears over Sandling storage site


The parish said: “If this development is permitted, it will mean that, with the new car showroom site, a second potentially dan- gerous access/egress will be introduced onto this road where there has been none for years.” In that time, the traffic volume ap- peared to have substantially increased. “It is many years since this site was used


and much has changed in that time thus there is no need to consider that it must be developed for B8 commercialwarehousing.” The application said that given the absence


of neighbouring uses, and the site context, it was proposed that hours of operation be un- restricted.


Detling birch decision ALFRED Johnson has been given planning permission to fell a protected silver birch tree in his front garden at Tithe Barn, The Street, Detling.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk East 47


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