First-floor plan


for bungalow APROPOSAL has been submit- ted for a first-floor extension over part of a bungalow at Kingsdene, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood. A supporting statement said: “Increasing the entire property to two-storey would be over-de- velopment, and therefore the applicant wishes to increase thewestern part of the dwelling only.


“The proposal will not be a


full storey in height and there- fore dormers will be introduced to the roof line to add some in- terest and character.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


Air ambulance cheque boost


KENT Air Ambulance, based in Marden, has received more than £1,000 raised by the Kent FA. Thirty-eight teams from the


Heart of Kent County Football LeagueandtheKent InvictaFoot- ball League competed for the his- toric Intermediate Challenge Shield, now named in honour of the Air Ambulance. “We’re very grateful for thesup-


port ofKentFAand thisgenerous donation,” said Jill Playle,KAAdi- rector of communications. “We would like to thank all of the clubs involved.” The cheque was presented to


the Air Ambulance crew by Kent FA chief executive Paul Dolan.


Views sought on car park Laddingford’s


VILLAGERS in East Farleigh are being given a chance to air their views on proposals for a car park near the village school. The parish council has been offered a parcel of land, meas- uring 0.625 acres, next to the school in Vicarage Lane and would like to create a 72-space car park to ease traffic problems for parents taking their children to school. Vicarage Lane regularly be- comes blocked at peak times as parents jostle for space on the


Growers invited


to enter show THE annual fun vegetable and flower show to raise funds for Laddingford School takes place at the Chequers pub on Sunday, September 16. Postponed from July, due to


the somewhat frenetic Olympic activity and the wash-out sum- mer having an “interesting” ef- fect on crops, this is a chance for local growers to show off their flair. With classes for adults and children, as well as fun events such as men’s homebaking and photography, one highlight is always the crazy mechanical challenge, which takes place at the end of the event. This year’s challenge is to


make a bird scarer – mechani- cal or otherwise. The growing interest in bee - keeping locally has led to a new class this year – beekeepers’ honey.


by 2.30pm on the day, ready for judging at 3pm. Entries cost £1. For a full list of classes, con-


approach to and from the school, causing chaos as far back as the junction by The Bull pub, on Lower Road. However, some residents are opposed to a greenfield site being given over to parking. Plans drawn up by DHA


urban design give options for surfacing, including “grass- crete” and “netpave”, both of which allow some of the natu- ral surface to be retained, while providing a solid and stable base for vehicles.


A SINGLE-storey garden room extension for a property in Water Lane, Hunton, was re- fused, despite support from the parish council. The scheme for Scuffits, a converted oast forming part of the farmyard group attached to Elphicks Farm, was turned down by the planning commit- tee after Maidstone council’s conservation officer lodged an objection. Hunton Parish Council chair-


man Cllr Roger Sawtell said: “The buildingwas converted in the late 1970s, and many exten- sions have been added. “The building is screened by


a 6ft hedge and it is on a private road, so it can’t be seen by any passing traffic.We would like to see the application passed.” But conservation officer Mike Parkinson said: “Scuffits is a fine example of a triple-kilned oast


tact Tracey at the Chequers or pop in and pick up a leaflet. As well as seeing who has


won what, collecting the much- coveted trophies and rosettes, there is something for everyone – as visitors are allowed to tuck into the entries once the judg- ing has finished!


A NEW office, tackle shop, mo- bile catering unit, drying room and toilets are to be built at Claygate Lakes, Claygate. The new facilities will be lo-


cated in two separate buildings and there will also be two stor- age containers, after Maidstone Council’s planning committee granted planning permission. Concerns were raised by Col- lier Street Parish Council about


which should be regarded as a non-designated heritage asset. “The design of the extension,


with its extensive glazing, will be out of character with the con- verted oast..” Seven members of the com- mittee agreed, with three voting against.


the intensified use in a rural area and local ward member Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie had fears about flooding and access. But committee members em- phasised the positives, particu- larly the disabled-friendly element of the development. Cllr Clive English said: “Na- tional policy is in support of this use, which is appropriate in the countryside. If there are peo-


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Planners also suggest a pro- gramme of hedging and tree planting to screen the site from view, and a one-way flow of traffic through the car park. The scheme is expected to


cost between £35,000 and £40,000, of which the parish council would pay £25,000. They would seek grants and loans to cover the remainder. A public meeting to consider


the proposals will be held at East Farleigh School from 10am to noon on Saturday, September 8.


Oast house extension refused


loopy Olympics THE Laddingford village sum- mer fair raised a magnificent £3,548 for the village primary school. After a somewhat soggy start


to the summer, organisers of this year’s fair put in place some last-minute contingency plans in case of wet weather. However, apart from a few drops of rain at 7am, the morn- ing proved dry and the after- noon was positively warm. Five-a-side football opened


the fair, called the Loopy Olympics, and included games and races, pony rides and a gladiator arena. Music was provided by local


band The Recessions and there were displays from Shin-gi-tai Karate and dancers from Mas- calls School. Children from Laddingford School sold products made dur- ing their Enterprise Week and there were the usual activities of bouncy castle and refreshments, including a barrel of beer do- nated by The Chequers pub. Friends of Laddingford School chairman Rae Hill said: “We are hugely grateful to all the wonderful parents and teachers who helped to make the fair a success.”


Plan turned down MAIDSTONE Council blocked a roof extension at Freelands,West Street, Hunton, as it felt the pro- posed dormer would cause a loss of privacy to residents of adjacent dwelling The Barn.


Entries need to be at the pub Shop and toilets among facilities planned at lakes


ple who use the tackle shop who are not using the other fa- cilities, then fine, there is clearly a demand for it. “There is no great flooding


risk through the additional hardstanding. There are many applications that come to the committee that I approve reluc- tantly, but I am quite pleased to support this application.” It was voted through unanimously.


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