Ruling backs future of rural pubs


THE battle to ensure the survival of village pubs has been boosted by an appeal deci- sion in Maidstone Council’s favour. In November last year, the council refused


an application to convert The Harrow Inn in The Street, Ulcombe (pictured), into per- manent residential accommodation because it was feared the loss of the last remaining pub in the centre of the village would have had a negative impact on the “vitality and viability of the village”. This was despite the pub being closed


since December 2005. Owners Philippe and Karen Debax-Latour claimed The Harrow was unable to compete with pubs in neigh- bouring villages and hamlets and there was little interest in purchasing the property from them as a going concern. The council’s decision has now been sup- ported at appeal, with planning inspector Clive Hughes reporting: “I have given con- siderable weight to the fact that the appel-


lants bought the premises as a going con- cern and ran it for almost five years. How- ever, the appellants knew that it had been unprofitable for at least three years when they bought it. “Anecdotal evidence at the hearing,


whichwas not challenged, related to a num- ber of aspects of the business which, it was alleged, deterred potential customers. These included important matters such as


Conversion blocked JOHN Palmer has been refused permission to con- vert and extend a detached garage to form a resi- dential annex in Bramley Orchard, Claygate Road, Claygate. His application form said the extension would


have timber cladding and plain red tiles to match the existing building. But Maidstone Council’s decision notice said:


“The proposal, by virtue of its scale, prominent lo- cation, forward projection from themain dwelling and over domesticated design, would not appear as a modest outbuilding in relation to the main dwelling and would appear visually intrusive, causing unacceptable visual harm to the charac- ter, appearance and openness of the countryside.”


hygiene and the quality of the menus and alcohol. “I am also concerned about the way in which the business has been marketed. While it is stated by the appellants that it has been on the books of Christie & Co as being available for sale since 2006 andwith another company (Simon Miller & Co) since 2009, no evidence concerning the scale or form of any marketing exercisewas put forward. “No details of any sale particulars, details


of price, or level of responsewere available. Local residents commented on the lack of any sale boards at the premises and to the fact that its shabby appearance may deter potential buyers. Due to the lack of evi- dence, the claim of commercial viability cannot reasonably be upheld.” Mr Hughes’ conclusion was the same as


the council’s: planning permission should be refused due to the harm it would cause to Ulcombe’s viability.


Free internet service for village hall


LANGLEYVillage Hall has been awarded a year’s free internet connection through BT Community Connections. The award scheme, which is part of


BT’s Get IT together campaign, enables charitable and community organisations to get their local community online. The judges were impressed by Lang-


ley village hall’s ideas for helping to get more people online. The hall has six laptops which parishioners can use when the centre is open, and the group plans to use the broadband connection to continue its IT training sessions. Training co-ordinator Ray Cuthbert


said: “The year’s free broadband is just fantastic. Our six laptops are constantly in use and there’s is a queue to find out how to use them. We’re really excited about these training sessions. Knowing how to use the internet can be a great skill, even if it’s just to keep in touch with old friends or seeing pictures of grandchildren who live abroad.” The training sessions for beginners are


held from 10am to noon every other Wednesday, on the same day as the community market. There’s a £2 charge to cover hall costs and a cup of tea. The next one is on December 5.


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