80 new homes on greenfield land
A DEVELOPENT of 80 new homes was given the go-ahead on greenfield land in Harrietsham. The Crest Nicholson scheme will consist
of amixture of flats and houses bounded by Hook Lane, West Street and Ashford Road. Overall, there will be three one-bed proper- ties, seven two-beds, 41 three-beds and 29 four-beds. There will be provision for 32 (40%) affordable units. The site was allocated for development within Maidstone Council’s Local Plan in 2000, but it was latterly agreed to freeze such greenfield developments as govern- ment guidance placed greater emphasis on the redevelopment of brownfield sites. However, the council anticipates that in
its emerging core strategy, due to be fi- nalised in 2015, each of the borough’s five rural service centres – Harrietsham, Lenham, Staplehurst, Headcorn and Mar-
House in garden A PROPOSAL to build a new house in the garden of 22 Spot Lane, Bearsted, has been ap- proved.
According to applicant John Condie’s supporting state- ment: “The house and garage will be cut into the ground as it rises to the north-western corner of the site. “This cutting in will limit
the impact on the street scene and the bungalow at 50 Roys- ton Road.” Maidstone Council granted planning permission on condition that trees on the site are retained.
den – would be expected to accommodate 260 units to meet increasing demand. Given this development would not be likely for completion until 2014, Maidstone’s devel- opment control manager Rob Jarman asked: “Why wait?” and recommended granting planning permission. The planning committee agreed, with Cllr
Tony Harwood labelling it an “exemplary” development. Council leader Cllr Chris Gar- land, a substitute committee member, agreed, and praised the development for reaching Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4: “There is a strategic need in rural service centres for appropriate additional housing.” Objectors’ main concernwas that vehicles
will only be able to access the site fromWest Street – opposite the village primary school. Cllr Tom Sams agreed with Harrietsham Parish Council in protesting at this point: “Access from the A20 is fine elsewhere in
the village and it should be acceptable from here.”
Fellow borough Cllr John Barned agreed: “Already we have horrendous parking prob- lems inWest Street during the school term.” Maidstone Council planning officer, Chris Hawkins, said that alternative access routes along Hook Lane and West Street would have required the removal of hedgerows. The Kent Highway Services representative said that the developer would fund traffic calming measures such as a raised table near the school, and that there were no safety concerns. The scheme includes an area of public
open space for amenity and recreation, pro- vision of a children’s play area and 159 car parking spaces, including three formal vis- itor parking spaces. The proposal was given planning permission through a unanimous committee vote.
YMCA honours long-serving Ron MAIDSTONE YMCA board member Ron Frazer has retired after serving 30 years – and has been made its first honorary vice-president. Bryan Price, chairman of the Maidstone YMCA board of management, presented Ron with a plaque and a certificate to mark his 30 years of dedicated and exemplary service to the board – although he has been a member of the charity for 43 years! In his retirement speech, Ron thanked the YMCA, the board, staff, members and friends for supporting him in his younger days, for enriching his life and for won- derful memories. He said he was thrilled to be offered the position as honorary vice-president, which he duly accepted. Lynda Dale, chief executive of Maidstone YMCA, said: “Ron has been
KentWildlife Trust
Ron Frazer (right), at his retirement with YMCA’s Bryan Price
a huge influence on the Maidstone YMCA charity and is well known for a whole range of community activities.”
storage request KENT Wildlife Trust has applied to site two storage containers at its headquar- ters in Tyland Barn, Chatham Road, Sandling, for five years. The charity says the buildings, measuring 6m long by 2.5m wide and 2.5m high, are required while it raises sufficient funds to construct a perma- nent structure. Maidstone Council will decide on the planning application.
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