outside the property. Cllr Paul Nelson was to liaise with the resident and the dog warden. It was agreed to buy the bin from Tonbridge and Malling Council, who would install it and collect waste.


DownsMail In touch with your parish It had been decided at a vil-


hadagreed to make a contribu- tion towards the cost of the new extension at the community centre of £10,000 in 2012 and 2013. The annual town meeting


Following the Blaise Farm planning meeting, it appeared unlikely that the council could prevent the anaerobic digester plant being approved. The mat- ter would now be submitted to the secretary of state, who was unlikely to intervene. It was agreed that the council should write to the secretary of state, arguing that the planning officer had misinterpreted the rules around local amenity and nuisance and that the Environ- ment Agency had not done itsjob properly in either monitoring or enforcing the current plant or de- tailing its objections to the appli- cation. Cllr David Frankling had spo-


ken to Ian Barwick about the pond. He may have some liner which the council could use, and some workers who could help. The council was to ap- proach the May Day committee for financial help. A pond com- mittee would be set up. The Medway Valley Partnership could be consulted again, and adoption should be considered. Liz Guthrie, from Tonbridge


and Malling Council, would be asked to visit and discuss re- moval of the trees around the pond. Cllr Williams was to arrange this. Regarding horses in Moor-


lands Woods, the British Horse Society had said that horses could be ridden on footpaths with the landowners’ permis- sion. The clerk was to clarify the situation with the Public Rights ofWay officer. A restriction had been placed preventing lorries turning right out of Fre Mel Farm. However, a number of lorries had been seen driving through the village. Details of dates, times and num- ber plates would be collected and reported.


Snodland Council Junior wardens


ItWAS reported that the Russet Homes junior warden scheme had been a great success. The resurfacing of the path round Nevill Park had been done. The path into the new play


area would be started shortly. The meeting agreed that the cost of allotment fees would rise by 50p per rod in 2014 and it was also agreed that from 2014 there would be no concession price for pensioners. Representatives from the twinned town of Moyeuvre Grande were to visit in April. The council was to arrange a re- ception for the visitors. The Snodland Partnership


will take place on Tuesday, April 30, at 7.30pm at the De- vonshire Rooms, Waghorn Road. The guest speaker will be from Kent CAN, which supports the voluntary and community sector in Kent andMedway. Local groups and organisa-


tions looking for grant funding should find this really helpful. This is also a meeting for resi- dents to hear the annual reports from council committees and to ask questions of the council.


Planning concern A RESIDENT wished to object to theWeimear planning appli- cation, particularly regarding the entrance which would be in Courtlands. He believed this would cause vehicle obstruc- tions. It was suggested he write to Maidstone Council with his views. The parish council agreed the application should not be per- mitted, but if the officer took a different view, the matter should not go to committee. However, the officer should be urged to remove permitted de- velopment rights to prevent the garage being converted to a home in the future. The meeting heard that Teston Neighbourhood Watch did not appear to be registered with the police. The clerk was to discuss this with the co-ordinator. Cold calling was reported at Courtlands – a resident had in- formed Trading Standards. The clerk was to make sure the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordi- nator was aware. A hedge at Courtlands was reported to be overgrown,but Cllr Alan Perkins said it had re- cently been cut. A resident asked about the


Teston Council


larger visibility mirror which was to replace the mirror oppo- site The Bungalows, as this was still outstanding. The clerk said she had been emailing the resi- dent with updates, but he had not received these. The chairman said the parish council needed to seek permis- sion for any changes and had needed to consider the possibil- ity of the portacabin and the parking considerations relating to that. The resident remained concerned that the situation ap- peared to have been long and drawn out. It was agreed that the clerk should be reimbursed for 10 hours overtime in January. It was agreed that the precept should be set at £19,016, with a concurrent functions grant of £2,128 and a Government grant of £1,303.


lage meeting that the council should adopt a “wait and see” approach to the sale of the post office. There was a blocked channel


at the entrance to Little Court Lodge Farm. It was suggested that Cllr Roger Levett should take a photograph next time the road was flooded. The clerkwas to investigate whether a letter had been sent to the owners. It was noted that the surface


was already coming off the B2163 south of Teston Bridge. The clerk was to report this. KCC had agreed to the balance


of the grant for the Valley Court works being used for the erec- tion of new signs, to replace the sign at the far end of Tonbridge Road and the sign on the gate- way near the farm shop. It was agreed the clerk should pro- ceed,with a view to completing within an overall budget of £425. The parking situation in Church Street was discussed, and it was recognised that this would need to be considered if the shop re-opened. It was noted that joyriders


had damaged the village green and gardens in Woodlands Close. The initial estimate con- servation kerbing was £4,750. The concurrent functions grant could be used for kerbstones if they were within the boundary of the village green. However, if they were used on the highway this would be a highways issue. It was felt that if additional


grant funding could be obtained this should be considered. Cllr Levett said posts or bollards should also be considered. Bus stops had been installed


on either side of Tonbridge Road, near to Valley Court. The council would keep a watching brief regarding the installation of bus shelters. Cllr Levett and the clerk were


to meet with Daniel Sheppard with a view to launching a LorryWatch scheme. Regarding Teston Lock refur- bishment, the parish council was to be asked to comment on a proposed diversion of the footpath. Cllr Peter Coulling had attended a site meeting with Cllr Levett and recom- mended that the diversion be supported. The date for the annual parish meeting was set for May 7. Maidstone Council’s land- scape officer, Dianne Cunning- ham, and Mr Lloyd were to be invited to speak about en- hanced protection for the Med- way Valley. RegardingTeston Land Conser- vation Trust, it was agreed that grazing and fishing fees should be increased by 2-3%.Tree plant- ing was to take place withWater- ingbury School pupils. About 60ft of fencing had


been damaged by a car at Upper Boathouse Meadow. This would be repaired. Recent flooding had damaged


the footpath and remedial work was needed. The owner of land next to


Kings Farm had asked for per- mission to have access through Kings Farm and up the track for horses, to avoid riding along the Tonbridge Road. It was felt this would be problematic and should be declined. The meeting heard that horse


muck was being burned on nearby land. Cllr Coulling would speak to the owner.


Have your say


Wateringbury Council


THE planning committee would appreciate the opinions of parishioners on planning ap- plications before themeeting to help formulate the response to Tonbridge and Malling Council. Comments should be sent to the parish clerk, or at the planning sub-committee meeting which follows the monthly general meeting. It was announced the Mayor


of Tonbridge and Malling will perform the opening ceremony of the village celebrations on June 2 for the granting of QEII status to the playing fields. Regarding Drayhorse Meadow,


there was a lengthy discussion about creating additional parking for the playing fields on a small area of themeadow for use up to 80 times a year. Estimates had been obtained


for fencing and creation of hardstanding. However, vice- chairman Richard Tripp felt that the council should explore the provision of fewer parking spaces at the playing fields and proposed two possible sites. Members agreed to draw down £10,000 from the agreed loan funds to bring the electrics at the meadow stables up to the re- quired standard and to upgrade the track to the fields. Thiswork was necessary to prepare the site for livery letting. Councillors agreed to upgrade


the CCTV in the village car park at a cost of £145. Members were pleased to


learn that funds were available this year to upgrade the foot- path from Teston Bridge to Bow Bridge. It was hoped that in fu- ture years the path between Bow Bridge and Nettlestead could be improved. The monthly crime figures in- cluded one theft in the Fields Lane area and an incident of theft and vehicle theft in the Glebe Meadow area. There were two incidents of assault at the Retreat Caravan Park, Silver BirchWalk. Incidents of anti-so- cial behaviour were at a mini- mum and there were no arrests.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk Malling 33


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