Latest plan for village pub rejected Layby concerns


A PROPOSAL to bring back to life the Harrow Inn in Ulcombe has hit the rocks after Maid- stone Council threw a spanner in the works. The pub, which is the last


one remaining in the village centre, has been closed since December 2005. Last year, a planning applica-


tion to have it converted into a residential dwelling was


turned down on appeal, so ap- plicants Philippe and Karen Debax-Latour proposed a new scheme to subdivide the grade II listed property to retain the pub and create a roof conver- sion and extension to facilitate residential use. But planning officers from Maidstone Council refused the application, saying a reduction in commercial floor space and


the vertical division of the premises into two separate units was likely to “have a detrimental impact upon the viability of the public house and would thereby be harmful to the vitality of the rural vil- lage of Ulcombe”. The council’s decision notice


said that the proposal might also have a detrimental impact on bats.


Choral society rises to challenge at concert


BEARSTED Choral Society showed off its skill when it performed The Kingdom, by Edward Elgar, at its spring concert. The choir, conducted by Peter


Ashley and with soloistsKarin Thy- selius, (soprano), Marie Degodet (mezzo soprano), John Upperton (tenor) and Christopher Jacklin (baritone), all performed excep- tionallywell. Organist Martin Hogben per- formed the demanding work with


Lights funding MAIDSTONE Council has agreed to pay for street lighting in Hollingbourne while KCC decides whether it can fund them from April 2014. The 23 lights are not of a high enough standard to be adopted by the county council. The parish council said it was


not clear who was responsible for upgrading the lights. If KCC does not adopt the lights, the parish council may need to in- crease the parish precept from next year to fund them.


considerable skill, and the audi- ence was very appreciative of the performance, giving a prolonged ovation. The society’s next concert is at


Holy Cross Church on July 20, and will feature John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit and traditional jazz items suchas Begin theBeguineandTea for Two. For more information email George Moore at George-n- pat@blueyonder.co.uk


ROGER Vidler (pictured), secre- tary of King George VMemorial Hall in Bearsted, is to stand down after five years in the role. In that time


the hall has gone through many changes, with more than £120,000 spent on improvements such as new toi- lets, double glazing, upgraded lighting and electrics. Mike Anthony, chairman of


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Will MP keep up her claims?


I READ in the April edition of Downs Mail that the deputy chairman of the Maidstone and the Weald Conservative Association, Stephen Paine, is keen to “quash grumbling by political rivals” about Helen Grant’s ex- pense claims and chooses to blame “vin- dictive elements of the local press”, for the situation in which she finds herself. However, in this case, they have only re- ported the facts and have left readers to judge for themselves. While Ms Grant may not have done anything technically wrong with regard to her expense claims, I and many others regard it as morally wrong and certainly not in the spirit of legitimate ex- penses, which I believe was the proposal emerging from the enquiry by Sir Thomas Legg for future claims by MPs. The IPSA website, where Ms Grant’s claims can be viewed, states that non-Lon- don area MPs who own properties in both London and their constituency may claim for one of those properties. I believe Ms Grant’s own home is deemed


to be in London, where even her own MP cannot claim for a second home, that she does not own a property in the con- stituency, but she also rents another prop- erty even closer to Parliament, whilst also claiming some train fares to Maidstone. In addition, Ms Grant, along with all MPs, has just received a 1% rise in her salary and


CONCERNS have been ex- pressed over refuse and poten- tial health issues at the layby in Old Chatham Road, Boxley that is used as a lorry park. Speaking at a meeting of Box-


ley Parish Council, Cllr Wendy Hinder said she had contacted Maidstone Council after receiv- ing complaints about litter and smells, as well as HGVs staying overnight. She pointed out that there were no toilet facilities at this location. It was agreed that the parish council should write to Ton- bridge and Malling Council, which has jurisdiction over the layby, and to Maidstone Coun- cil, with copies to Sandling Res- idents Association and Aylesford Parish Council, ex- pressing local residents’ con- cerns.


Conductor Peter Ashley, accompanist Martin Hogben and the four soloists


Hall secretary to stand down


the hall’s management commit- tee, said: “Roger has carried out, with notable distinction, the dual roles of secretary and treasurer for the past five years. The trustees and management committee would like to thank him for his contribution and commitment.” The committee is now looking


for someone to take on the role of secretary, which involves ad- ministering the hall, preparing papers for meetings, and over- seeing contractual work.


expense limit, whilst I, along with many of her very hard-working constituents, have not received a pay rise for three years, but have had to accept a reduction in my pay to allow for increased NI and pension contributions. Is it, therefore, right thatMsGrant has taken


full advantage of every penny (her rental claim really is down to the very odd last penny) she can get from the taxpayer, whilst expecting no right of reply from those pro- viding her with such generous remuneration? Mr Paine, I stand ready to be quashed, but perhaps before you do, you could answer me this; in the event that Ms Grant is re- elected, does she intend to follow the same course of action for her future expenses? Steve Gibson, Birling Avenue, Bearsted


Slow down to save lives Dear Sir – As a resident of Abberley Park, I am making a plea to those drivers who use the Sittingbourne Road,Maidstone, to try to stick to the speed limits. Abberley Park is a development of 10 houses built on the site of a demolished sin- gle house and Monro Homes has now built another development next door. Unfortu- nately, we still have no means for pedestri- ans to cross the road, as there are no pathways that follow the road down or up the Sittingbourne Road. I do not understand how Monro Homes


was given planning permission by Maid- stone Borough Council, with no means for


Call to remove tree ARTHUR Houston has applied to remove a leyland cypress on the southern boundary of Bank Yard, Lenham. His application said: “There


are concerns for the wellbeing of the boundary walls and root damage.” The proposal, which will be determined by Maid- stone Council, also includes the reduction in height of a holly tree to 2m.


Builder’s award BUILDER Paul Ray, of Paul Ray Construction, Leeds, is celebrat- ing after winning a Master Builder of the Year award. The company won the Federa-


tion of Master Builders’ award for small renovation projects for its work on Arnold Yoke, a Ken- tish Hall House in Leeds.


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or e-mail: stephen@downsmail.co.uk


people to be able to leave their homes on foot safely. It is also a shame for residents of the re- tirement home next door, as it can prove dif- ficult to cross the road when elderly. The speed limit on the road is 30mph. I


think many drivers will think it’s at least 50mph. Last year we had a serious crash outside the development and the car actu- ally took off and landed in a garden. Only the driver was injured. I can only as-


sume that we have no crossing or speed cam- eras on the road as no one has lost their life. Lynsey Jarman, Abberley Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone


Risks of whistle-blowing Dear Sir – In light of the current problems in the health service, I know from experience that whistle-blowing is dangerous. If legiti- mate concerns are raised in the workplace this puts managers in a difficult position. This often has the result of the whistle- blower being “performance-managed” out of the system. Other potential whistleblow- ers keep quiet because they have mortgages and dependent families. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is en-


demic and perhapswe need a rethink of our attitudes to work. It does seem those caus- ing these problems earn higher salaries than the “coalface workers”. Dare I quote our friend Rose Gibb again?


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


John Ireland, Lenham East 53


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