Insurance flood risk Continued from page one


certainly impact on property values, their mortgageability and future saleability. The Association of British In-


surers (ABI) has listed 644 properties in Aylesford and Chatham as being at significant risk of flood, with a further 1,169 homes in Tonbridge and Malling and 1,019 inMaidstone and theWeald. Based on the 2008 RMS 1,000-year Inland Flood risk zones map, one in four homes in the UK are considered ‘at risk’ of flooding – and Kent has the most. Low-lying areas on the edge


of the river Medway, around Aylesford and Burham, are classed as at ‘significant’ or ‘moderate’ risk by the Environ- ment Agency. James Sherwood-Rogers,


chair of the ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ campaign, said: “Whilst the impact that the ending of the Statement of Principleswill have on flood insurance is un- known, early indications are not good. Some insurers are al- ready trying to rid themselves of insuring previously flooded or ‘at risk’ homes, long before June 2013. “It is vital that mortgage lenders urgently review the im- pact this policy change is likely to have and create a strategy that offers guidance and sup- port to existing homeowners who may be affected by the changes.


“Homeowners also need to investigate their flood risk and take steps to minimise their own personal risk and protect their home. “By understanding their risk


up front, they can look at put- ting in place flood resilience or resistant measures that could reduce the risk and thus make affordable insurance poten- tially easier to source.”


Town gears up for gas works


OWNERS of cars parked illegally during the gas main works inMaidstone town centre may return to find their vehicles gone. So much chaos is already anticipated by South-


ern Gas digging up Stone Street and Knightrider Street that the council will be taking no prisoners when it comes to irresponsible parking. Steve Goulette, assistant director for environ- mental and regulatory services, told the town’s business forum that the council would be using a mobile towaway truck to remove cars causing extra problems during the roadworks. He said: “This isn’t about parking tickets. It’s


about keeping the traffic moving. If we find a ve- hicle illegally parked, it will be towed. We can’t afford the time to do otherwise.” Knightrider Street is due to be closed for three months starting in April, after which sections of Lower and Upper Stone Street will be closed as work progresses south out of town. Proposals to put warning signs about congestion


on the M20 were met with disapproval by Town Centre manager Bill Moss, however, who said:


A COMMUNITY project which is helping to trans- form lives in EastMalling has received nearly £300,000 grant funding. The St James Centre


Trust was awarded the cash from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Com- munities programme, en- abling it to host activities including literacy and numeracy courses, craft groups, a vegbox and al- lotment scheme, dance classes and weight loss sessions. Run by the Beat Project, the centre aims to im-


“We are talking about the livelihoods of our shop- keepers here.” Mr Moss said he would be urging Southern Gas


to increase the number of teams on the job and work through the night to reduce the contract from 50 weeks to nearer 30. He said: “The amount of disruption to the town


will be phenomenal - and at what cost to our traders?” Southern Gas has already said it needs a reduc-


tion in traffic of between 10 and 15% if the town is not to become gridlocked, which it anticipates will happen as motorists choose alternative routes in and out of town. One of the biggest problems will be at the junc-


tion of Stone Street, Knightrider Street and Wat Tyler Way, where a tunnel under the road has to be hand-dug because of the proliferation of serv- ice pipes and cables. Work here is due to take place primarily overnight, but Mr Moss said hewould be pressing for more night work and an increased labour force.


Big cash boost for ‘inspiring’ East Malling centre


an apprentice six months ago, she says it has changed her out- look completely and shenow hopestobea community worker. She said: “My per-


Trustees ChristineWoodger and Irene Scott receive the cheque on behalf of everyone at the St James Centre


prove levels of education, employment, health and aspiration in the area through its refurbished com- munity and arts caféwhich will offer healthy meals. Work experience placements and apprenticeships will be offered to unemployed adults and young people alongside volunteers. The project has inspired 21-year-old Natasha Ausher who got inwith thewrong crowd at school andwas expelled, before drifting aimlessly between jobs.


Since she began volunteering with the centre as Community centre needs new roof


A COMMUNITY centre celebrating its 25th anniversary needs to raise funds to repair or replace its leaky roof. Snodland Community Centre has just installed an air conditioning/heating unit, which cost £23,000 and took two years to complete. Chris Howick, vice- chairman of the community association, said the roof is the next project. “It is showing signs of its age and cracks are appearing in the roof. The cheapest solution, just to carry out re- pairs, will cost £15,000, but the ideal so- lution, a new roof, would probably be over £30,000. “I am applying for grants but these are


not likely to be sufficient so we will be having a number of fundraising events.” One hundred and forty people at- tended a recent quiz night and over £1,000 was raised. Adancewill be held on June 4 to celebrate the Queen’s Dia- mond Jubilee and a ceilidh night, with buffet, is planned to take place on Sep- tember 29 for the centre’s silver an- niversary. Linda Howick, the association’s pres-


6 Malling


ident, was involved in raising the funds to build the centre and help run it. Building work started in March 1985 and it was opened in July 1987. “The roof leaks after heavy rain and


wind and the rainwater drips on to the ceiling tiles. “They are hard to get to as it is so high


andwehavetogetacherrypicker, which is expensive,” she said. “Looking after the centre is hard work sometimes but we view it with much pride and joy for Snodland people. There is a great sense of community here in this town and we strive to let people feel welcome when they come to live here.” Snodland Town Council owns the building and the 28-year lease is expir- ing. It will be renewed for 30 years in April. Plans are in hand to extend the centre, hopefully within two years. The Howicks have asked for volun-


teers to helpwith fundraising. Bookings for the centre can be made through the chairman, Dilys Crook on 01634 240783.


sonal life is a lot more settled – I come from a very disruptive child- hood. I am a lot more career-minded now. Ultimately, it would be amazing if I was able to stay at the Beat Project and St James Centre to work.”


Fiona Dempsie, Big Lottery Fund regional head,


met everyone during a visit to the centre and was entertained to a radio show and music workshop by pupils from The Malling School. She said: “It is extremely inspiring to hear Natasha’s story and I am sure this exciting project will continue to transform the lives of many people in and around East Malling.” Angela Borsos of the Beat Project said: “Over the


last two years we have transformed the building from a disused school into a thriving community hub.”


No reprieve for Baywell trees RESIDENTS at Leybourne have lost their fight to save a strip of woodland screening their homes from a new housing development. Trees bordering the former garage site in London


Road, have been removed by developer Persimmon Homes, despite a last-ditch bid, backed by the parish council. The parish had asked for a stay of execution after residents in Baywell raised questions about the original ownership of the copse. Tonbridge andMalling Council had said it could


not intervene as the trees were self-seeded and not covered by protection orders.


Full steam ahead for old tractors AHADLOW tractor enthusiast will be taking a se- lection of his vehicles to this year’s Heritage Transport Day and Auction at Detling, is hoping to enthuse the next generation of Massey Fergu- son enthusiasts. Robin Andrew, amechanics lecturer at Hadlow College, was mesmerised by the vintage vehicles at the age of two-and-a-half, when he first visited the Kent Show with his father. Today, he owns awhole fleet of classic and vin-


tage farm vehicles, some of which he will be ex- hibiting at Detling onMarch 31.


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