Gypsy lifestyle ‘adopted’ Family plea to


A WOMAN who has no gypsy origin but who developed a nomadic lifestyle, has applied to put two caravans and an amenity building off Cross Drive, Sutton Valence. Rose Humphreys wants to


live on land at Kwana with her husband Peter and 15-year-old daughter Sophie. A supporting statement by


town planner Philip Brown, the applicant’s agent, said: “The applicant is not a gypsy by reason of her ethnic origins, but she is of a nomadic way of life and therefore defined as a gypsy.


“Rose has been living in a caravan since 2001, and has been living in a caravan sta- tioned on Kwana, off and on, throughout this period. “Rose actually travels with a caravan for the purpose of making her livelihood more than most Romany gypsies of my acquaintance and, in my opinion, falls within the defi- nition of a gypsy.” The family supervises six horses, two sheep, 10 chick- ens, five geese, four ducks, two turkeys and three beehives on Kwana. The statement added: “The


caravan site would be con- tained within an area bounded by dense woodland to the south and east, and by trees and hedgerows to the west and north. “The proposed caravan site


could be adequately assimi- lated into its rural surround- ings, and no unacceptable harm would be caused to the character or appearance of the countryside.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application, which states that one of the caravans would be used for touring.


Plan for eight caravans blocked


MAIDSTONE Council has blocked an applica- tion to site a total of eight caravans in Lindfield Farm,Willow Lane, PaddockWood. Michelle Smith wanted to put four mobile homes and four touring caravans on four sepa- rate plots. She wanted to live there with her husband Levy, a horse dealer. Their children and grandchildren – up to nine people – would have occupied the other three plots.


Maidstone Council refused the application, claiming it would cause harm to the character and appearance of the countryside. The deci- sion followed an objection by neighbouring Tunbridge Wells Council, who said there was no evidence of need for the development, there


were too many sites already in that area and there were safety issues arising from it being in a flood plain. Earlier this year,Maidstone Council issued a


stop notice to Levy Smith on the site after neigh- bours complained he was allowing residential caravans to be placed on his land without nec- essary planning consent.


Water Lane application IN last month’s edition we reported that a sepa- rate gypsy family lives to the rear of two gypsy plots proposed on land east of Water Lane, Headcorn. In fact, no gypsy family lives to the rear of the land, subject to the planning application.


remain on site JOHN Lee has applied for his gypsy family to stay perma- nently at their residence on land east of Maplehurst Pad- dock, Frittenden Road, Staple- hurst. In July, Mr Lee got planning permission to keep a static car- avan and touring caravan on the land for a further five years. His application to remain per- manently said: “We have lived in the village for six years. My wife and daughters have be- come settled.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


Scheme refused A PROPOSAL for two mobile homes, three touring caravans and two utility blocks for the use of two gypsy families on agricultural land in Staple- hurst was refused. Maidstone Council blocked


the application for land be- tween Park Wood Lane and Frittenden Road because it “causes significant harm to the character of the countryside”. The decision notice also


stated that visibility at the site access on to Park Wood Lane was extremely poor, presenting a safety hazard to other road users.


All LOADS Ltd


Specialists in supplying aggregates Free Local Delivery


Plant Hire


Mini Diggers 1.5 ton to 7 ton


Dumpers 1 ton hi-tip 2 ton to 6 ton


Seasoned Logs now available Suitable for Wood Burners and Open Front Fire Places


Excavators 8 ton to 21 ton


Materials Ballast


Sharp Sand Building Sand Type 1


Shingle 10/20mm Road Plainings Topsoil Turf


Logs & Salt Grab Service


Muck Away Rubbish Hardcore Materials


Haulage Service Domestic Commercial Site Clearance Bulk Bag Waste


Wishing all our customers a very Merry Christmas


Call All Loads For A Free Quote 01622 873 231


www.allloads.co.uk email:aggregates@allloads.co.uk


18 South To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


25kg/Ton bags of rock salt available


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