Riverside campsite turned down
COUNCILLORS refused a proposed camp- site inWest Farleigh following objections by three parish councils, four local borough members, a local KCC member and 47 resi- dents via a petition. The overwhelming opposition to the ap- plication to establish a site for 10 tent pitches on grazing land behind 7-8 St Helen’s Cottages, St Helen’s Lane, was led by West Farleigh Parish Council, whose chairman Cllr Bruce Scott voiced concerns over traffic, noise and the ability to restrict the use of the camp site to between 7.30am and 9pm daily, as had been suggested by Maidstone Council officers. These objections were echoed by East Far- leigh and Barming parish councils along
THE Secretary of State has over- turned a decision not to allow housing on the site of the former Iden Park Service Station in Cranbrook Road, Staplehurst. Maidstone planners threw out
Paul Chester’s application for eight houses on the site, arguing it was contrary to the develop- ment plan and would cause harm to the open countryside. But inspector Katie Peerless
said the site was already “brownfield” land and close to other developed sites to the west and north. If anything, she felt the devel- opment would enhance the site. She said: “In terms of the im- pact on the character and ap-
with ward members Fay Gooch, Brian Mor- timer, JohnWilson, Dennis Collins and KCC member Paulina Stockell. Cllr Gooch, representing Barming, said: “Locals and visitors enjoy walks along the riverside, and the open countryside and land- scape of the Medway Valley needs protec- tion. This will detract from people’s enjoyment of the wider area. Tourism can be an asset but this is not appropriately located.” Applicant Kevin Taylor proposed to use
the land for up to 10 pitches for fishing pur- poses between the months of June and March and up to 10 pitches for camping be- tween April and October. He said there would be a maximum of 10 pitches in use at any one time and nomotor
pearance of the area, I consider that the proposed development could, when subject to a detailed landscaping scheme, represent an improvement over the current situation. The service station and its associated development…. is not contributing in any positive way to the attractiveness of the surroundings.” After an inspection in Febru-
ary, she concluded: “There is countryside to the east and south but the proposed devel- opment would not encroach into it beyond the site bound- aries. The proposed housing de- velopment ...would not appear out of place when contrasted with the existing buildings.”
home or caravan would be permitted. Cllr Mortimer said: “It would not be used
for a six-month period to restrict the num- ber of vehicles using the site, and vehicles would not be allowed to enter or exit after a certain time, so clearly there must be a high- way problem.” This was reiterated by Kent Highway Services, who raised an objection, claiming the access was “unsuitable and this appli- cation would lead to congestion and ob- struction in St Helen’s Lane where there is no turning area, this being detrimental to highway safety.” The planning committee took this advice
on board and voted unanimously, with 12 votes, to refuse the scheme.
Homes allowed on service station site
There would be one central access point with landscaped areas on either side and the properties would each have a private rear garden. The inspector said the coun-
cil’s local plan was out of date and the National Planning Policy Framework encouraged the use of previously-developed land. She said the council would
have the opportunity to ensure that the final designwould meet the council’s high standards, in- cluding energy-efficiency. As the site could be contami-
nated from its earlier use, it has to be subject to a scheme of re- mediation, in order to protect health and the environment.
www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk STONE GREEN NURSERIES
Wholesale Nursery Open to the public On the 26th, 27th & 28th April
We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops and other horticulture outlets.
On our open weekends (please see our complete list.) We invite you. Huge range and fair prices.
We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried and tested to the more unusual.
Your selection will come from our growing beds, you can’t buy fresher If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast.
*Shrubs* Trees* Herbaceous perennials* Climbers* *large plants for instant impact*
Please remember we are only open on these dates We accept most major credit cards For detailed Directions Please use web-site
Follow day-glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden 10 South Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
April May
June July
Father found in
OakenWood, off North Pole Road, Barming.
Searches
had been car- ried out for Peter Finch (60) after he went missing from his home in St Helen’s Lane. As Downs Mail went to press, a post- mortem had not taken place but the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Our complete
Open Weekend dates for 2013
26th, 27th & 28th August
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th 17th, 18th & 19th 31st May, 1st & 2nd June 5th, 6th & 7th 23rd, 24th, 25th & 26th
September
6th, 7th & 8th 27th, 28th & 29th
Fri 10am-5pm Sat, Sun & BHM 9am-5pm Truly a gardeners paradise Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET
dead in woods AFATHERofthree from West Farleigh was found dead
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56