Gypsy site approved on appeal
A GYPSY site near Paddock Wood has been given the go- ahead on appeal. Maidstone Council refused an application from Lee Smith to site a mobile home and touring caravan on land east of Queen Street as it was deemed harmful to the countryside and posed a flood risk. However, government inspec-
tor David Smith reported: “The actual harm to the character and appearance of the area would be limited.
“Neither would the proposal
create a serious threat to the safety of occupiers or to mem- bers of the emergency services. “Moreover, the general need
for sites in Maidstone is signifi- cant, and this is unlikely to be addressed in the near future. There is currently a lack of al- ternatives.” He based his flood estimates
on “a 1 in 100-year event and al- lowing for the consequences of climate change”. In this instance “themodelled
flood depth is 0.35m above site level. Therefore the depth of water would not be high and it would be slow-moving, due to
the site’s peripheral location. “As the floor level of the mo-
bile home would be at least about 0.5m off the ground, it is accepted that such a structure
MAIDSTONE Council deferred its decision on a gypsy site in Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, after committee members called for residents to be allowed to stay there permanently. Officers had recommended a further three-year stay for the static caravan and touring cara- van on land east of Maplehurst Lane on a temporary basis. Staplehurst Parish Council
called for the application to be refused for a number of rea- sons, including concerns that the settled community would be outnumbered. There are two neighbouring gypsy sites – in Perfect Place and Maplehurst Paddock – with permissions due to expire next year. Parish council chairman Cllr
John Perry said: “Our parish has a long history of working with gypsies and travellers.
Rider’s bike to be crushed
ANOFF-ROADmotorbike is due to be crushed after itwas seized by police in Coxheath. Neighbourhood officerswere called toprivate land near AmsburyWoods afterareport ofamotorcyclebeing driven in an anti-social manner. SgtNigel Douglas,pictured, seized the vehicle fromthe
18-year-old rider,whowasontheland withoutpermission, and the bike will nowbe crushed. Sgt Douglas said: “It was a costly act for the owner of
the bike, as the bikewill nowbe crushed. “Iwouldwarn thosewhoare caught riding bikes illegally
and anti-socially that they too couldhavetheir bikeseized. “These motorcyclists are also putting themselves and
others in danger; in this case the riderwas using the bike without a helmet, risking serious injury. As the summer months edge closer,wewill continue to tackle anti-social behaviour toimprovethequality of lifefor local residents.”
Church flea market A FLEA and market will be held at Headcorn Methodist Church on the second Saturday of every month, starting on April 14. The market, in aid of church funds, runs from 10am to 4pm, and entry is free.
Planning success MAIDSTONECouncil leaderCllr Chris Garland praised planning officers for having the “best ever” success rate at appeals. In 2011/12, they successfully de- fended 79% of decisions.
Solar panels agreed A PLAN for 40 solar panels on agricultural land at Westfield House, Goudhurst Road, Mar- den, has been accepted.
Woodchip proposal THE Rookery Estate Company has applied to build a wood- chip store at Smiths Hall, Lower Road,West Farleigh.
Pupils raise the roof at concert MORE than 160 primary school children from the Maidstone area converged on Sutton Valence Preparatory School for the school’s annual Singing Day. Parents filled the school’s Bates Hall to hear the impressive re-
sults of an afternoon’s coaching from the school’s head of music, MrsWendy Heaton. Children in Years 3 and 4 from eight schools joined the prep school’s Junior Choir to learn some top singing techniques before delivering a grand concert to parents and teachers. Mrs Heaton said: “The children worked extremely hard to tackle
some challenging material in a very short time. I was delighted with their response and with the polished and expressive performance they gave in the concert.”
Care home planning to expand
THE Yew Tree House Care Home in Station Road, Head- corn, could have eight addi- tional bedrooms if a new proposal gets the go-ahead. The application is for a two-
storey extension, as well as the a single-storey conservatory, laundry area and car parking for four cars, plus new access. According to the planning
statement: “The present home has been operating successfully since 1986, some 26 years.With demand for extra rooms/care, our client would like to provide additional facilities, particu- larly for local residents.” The proposed extension would increase the current foot- print of 172 square metres by 140 square metres.
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
would not be washed away. It could therefore act as a safe refuge.”
Maidstone Council is also fighting an appeal against its re-
fusal to grant a gypsy family ret- rospective planning permission for two caravans and a touring caravan at nearby The Stables, Wagon Lane.
Temporary permission ‘should be reviewed’ Council leader Cllr Chris Gar-
The village’s acceptance of them is being sorely tested by this drip-feeding of pitches. “Staplehurst has about 50 pitches and has reached the maximum it can handle.” Some members of the plan-
ning committee felt the site was in a poor state and caused harm to the open countryside, but considered the solution was to grant permanent per- mission. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “This would allow the ap- plicant to put in proper hedgerows, to remove fencing etc.”
land, a reserve committee member, agreed: “We need to provide 157 gypsy sites be- tween 2011 and 2026. “We need to have a debate on whether temporary permis- sions are the correct action.We should be granting permanent permission and applying land- scaping conditions for an un- sightly site that has only become like that because we have allowed it to get tempo- rary permission.” Committee chair Cllr Richard
Lusty said the site was “the worst kind I have seen”. He added: “If we are going to do anything about this we have to step back and look again at it.” The committee voted to defer
the application for officers to look at measures to improve the site.
Guest rooms
at restaurant THE Mulberry Tree restaurant in Hermitage Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, has applied to convert an outbuilding into four guest rooms. The application involves an elevational change, new roof and an overflow car park. The applicant’s design and access statement said: “This will help to support The Mulberry Tree business as well as rural tourism and the local economy. The proposed use will not harm to the amenities of local residents. “The proposal makes use of
an existing building which is of a simple rural vernacular.” Maidstone Council will decide on the scheme.
Tea and Wii fitness SENIOR citizens in East Sutton and Sutton Valence are being canvassed for a possible new “Tea andWii” class. The community support offi-
cer would like to organise a reg- ular event for the elderly in the parishes, to include some chair exercises, as well as fitness ses- sions on theWii games console. Anyone who would like to
take part should call the parish clerk, Janet Burnett, on 01622 844135.
Trees to be replaced MAIDSTONE Council granted permission for the removal of a protected holly and lime tree from Linton Park, Heath Road, Linton, but ordered the plant- ing of a cedar and lime tree.
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