Century-old gate renewal
VITAL repairs are being carried out to theWickham lych gate at Yalding Church. The gate, which was installed
by theWickham family in 1919 is almost a century old and was suffering the effects of age. It has also been attacked by
wood beetles, causing damage to the oak base and some of the side pieces. The aptly-named Mighty Oak
Timber Framing Company from Ticehurst was contracted to carry out repair work costing £8,000. However, since removal and repairs commenced in Au- gust, the rot is more extensive than was at first thought and the cost has escalated.
Theproject is being funded by a
grant from the Yalding Church Preservation Society, using funds raised from the Top of the Tower Dinner, as well as from the popu- lar drawing room drama plays and other sponsors. The vicar, the Rev Paul Filmer,
is planning to re-commemmorate the gate once both he and it are restored to full health. (Rev Filmer suffered a heart attack in April but was due to resume his pastoral duties as theDownsMail went to press.) The church has been trying to contact descendants of theWick- ham family in order that they might attend, buthas so far drawn a blank.
Farm manager’s dwelling wanted
MR and Mrs Lott have applied to build a farm manager’s dwelling at Maplehurst, Fritten- den Road, Staplehurst. The couple, who live two
miles away, made a similar ap- plication in 2005 that was re- fused as Maidstone Council felt that the dwellingwas not essen- tial for running the business.But the latest application includes details of a number of thefts from the farm since 2008, in- cluding a tractor, trailer, water tanks, tools and up to 10 ewe
lambs. The supporting state- ment said: “At the moment Mr andMrs Lott will spend all day at the farm, but during the night they have to make continuous journeys back and forth. “There have been many times
over the years during a difficult lambing or calving which re- quired both Mr and Mrs Lott, where they would have to wake their children and bring them to the farmwhilst they took care of the animals. There is an essen- tial need for an agricultural
Made to measure Bedrooms, home studies and lounges
Fitted by our professional fitters
Made to measure
Home visits & FREE quotations
5 YEAR guarantee on all furniture
Bespoke furniture
Free expert design service (available evenings and weekends)
01622 729855 Award winning family run business
6 South
Exceptional quality, modern design & traditional elegance Opening Times
Mon Fri 8.00 - 4.30 Sat 10.00 - 4.00
Est 31 years
169 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8NA
www.bedroomflair.com
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
dwelling on site for day and night time attendance during the busy lambing/calving/kidding season, for security and to allow the applicants to develop their business further in the form of a dairy goat enterprise. “The business has been estab-
lished for over 10 years and has been profitable; therefore it would be appropriate for plan- ning permission to be granted for a permanent dwelling.” The councilwilldetermine theplan- ning application.
The next project for the Yald-
ing Church Preservation Society is the renovation of the War- den’s chest.
New homes refused
THE nearby presence of an abattoir has once again helped thwart an application for eight new homes for people aged over 55 in Marden. Oast Investments has been refused permission to build the homes to the rear of the for- mer Lady Jane pub in Church Green because Maidstone Council felt it “would be an unpleasant place to live, bear- ing in mind the likely impact of noise from machinery, smells and the distressing noise from animals awaiting slaughter”. The same reason was given
in September last year for re- fusing a similar scheme. The council’s decision notice also said the development would be harmful to the character of the Marden Conservation Area.
Plan to relocate clinic
THE Kent Sports Injury Clinic has applied to move into a stor- age space in 62 Cayser Drive, Kingswood. The property currently has a permitted office use. Kyle Blackburn’s planning applica- tion said: “The property will be used to see patients and will employ 2.5 people. Existing parking arrangements will not be affected.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the proposal.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40