Homes to be ‘surrounded by nature’
DEVELOPER TaylorWimpey has submitted a planning application for 53 houses on greenfield land south of Oliver Road, Sta- plehurst. The company wants the homes to be sur- rounded by open space, a nature conserva- tion area and new highway infrastructure. A supporting statement said: “Land to the
south of Oliver Road currently consists of an overgrown field and a heavily-wooded area, which are enclosed by existing residential de- velopment to the north (Butchers Close) and east (Bathurst Road), agricultural land and open countryside to the west and south. “Given the overgrown nature of the site,
the loss of this land for agricultural pur- poses is not considered significant. The na- ture conservation area and the landscaping to be retained and created are positive as- pects in regard to the regenerative capacity
An artist’s impression of the new homes
of natural resources. The site’s backdrop on two sides is of urban form; it is in an area of transition between town and country. This matter can be handled with sensitivity with correct use of storey heights, built forms, massing and scale of development. “The application site is 4.86 hectares, al-
though only two hectares will be devel- oped. The remainder will be set aside for the nature conservation area and support- ing landscaping.” “In addition, the scheme has been de- signed to successfully retain and integrate boundary vegetation, hedgerows and pro- tected trees, which will provide character and promote biodiversity. “The layout also responds to the existing dwellings which abut the boundaries of the site, as well as the existing footpath route along the eastern boundary. The application, which will be deter- mined byMaidstone Council, adds that the scheme would include a ‘Greenway Route’ in the form of a green linear space that draws the open space into the heart of the development, culminating in a central square.
Village weight restriction limits access to lorries
THE experimental weight re- striction on lorries passing through Yalding has finally come into force – after almost 16 years of pleading by the parish council. The Road Traffic Order for an experimental 7.5 tonne weight restriction came into force on December 17, and people have until June 10, to make their ob- servations. The restriction starts at the
Lees Road/Hampstead Lane junction and runs through to
Sheephurst Lane at Collier Street. It takes in Sheephurst Lane, Longend Lane, Green Lane through to Pattenden Lane (forcing the lorries to turn right from Pattenden Lane) and Hunton Road to East Street. It also includes Symonds
Lane, Emmet Hill Lane, Forge Lane, Jarman Lane and Haviker Street, as well as Town Bridge and the High Street to Lughorse Lane, Kenward Road to Hunt Street, Vicarage Road, West Street andMill Lane.
Lorries with legitimate busi-
ness will have a right of access. Residents in Laddingford who
fear lorries will use their village to avoid the ban, have been as- sured by the parish council that it will not lead to trucks trekking through their lanes. Parish council chairman Geraldine Brown said: “The ma- jority of lorries passing through Yalding via Twyford Bridge are on a rat-run to Pattenden Lane in Marden. “The restriction through Yald-
ing will prevent this and, so that the lorries do not take a route through Laddingford, weight re- strictions have also been placed on all of the lanes.” Cllr Brown said all lorry move-
ments would be monitored and, if there appeared to be a pattern of use of Spenny Lane as a route towards Horsmonden, this would be addressed. Anyone spotting lorries flout-
ing the restrictions can send de- tails to her on chairman@
yaldingparishcouncil.gov.uk
4 South
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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