New homes plan A SECOND developer has sub- mitted a planning application to build homes inMarden. Following a public exhibition
in Marden Memorial Hall, Phase 2 Planning and Development Ltd has submitted an outline planning application for a site to the east of Goudhurst Road known as The Parsonage. The developer has requested a “screening opinion” from Maid- stone council as to whether the proposed development requires an environmental impact assess- ment to be carried out. The proposal is for up to 150 homes, allotments and open space, aswell as traffic calming measures in Goudhurst Road. A separate planning applica-
tion has been submitted by Redrow Homes for a housing development to the west of Goudhurst Road on the former MAP Depot site.
Trees facing axe TWO protected trees may be felled in Headcorn because they are damaging the founda- tions of a nearby property. Vicky Ironside’s application
for 21 Station Road said the re- moval of an English oak and horse chestnutwould solve the problem with the foundations and ensure the long-term sta- bility of the building”. Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.
Urbanisation fear at farm
CONCERN at the increased “urbanisation” of a former farm estate has been expressed by coun- cillors in ruralWest Farleigh. TutshamHall, in Hunt Street, is a Grade II listed building and the 17th century home of Tory MP Edward Goulston. The Day family farmed the estate for many years
until it was sold in April 2000 to Ian Fern, of Ferns Surfacing Ltd, for £650,000. Mr Fern has since converted many of the sta-
bles, cowsheds and other outbuildings into resi- dential and commercial units, including Tutsham Farm, the Cider House and Bobs Stable. Now valued at several million pounds, the es-
tate is also the home to the Team Tutsham Eques- trian Centre, a riding centre for the disadvantaged and the disabled. The parish council has backed some eight property conversions in the past five years, as well as the upgrading of three farm cottages, and members were disappointed to learn that the owners were now applying for retrospective planning consent for the conversion of a further outbuilding. Cllr Geoff Martin said he believed the applica-
tion was being carried out retrospectively as the original buildings – a cattle yard and two bull pens, described by the applicant as a “stable” – would not have been deemed worthy of conver- sion. However, now it was in situ, it would be more difficult to impose an enforcement order, which could require its demolition. Members believed the new buildings were not
so much a conversion as a replacement as the new property – designed to provide both a home and work environment – had new footings. Cllr Martin said: “I think this application is a
bit unfair. It is yet another buildingwhich will in- crease the traffic flows along Mill Lane and Hunt
Tutsham Hall, in Hunt Street,West Farleigh
Street and, if the council is minded to allow it to remain, we should ask that all traffic be diverted along Hunt Street.” Parish council chairman Bruce Scott said he would like to see a system of fines imposed on people who carried out building development without planning consents. Cllr Chris Stockwell proposed that the parish
ask that the application be determined by Maid- stone planning committee and, if it were ap- proved, a condition be imposed that all traffic should use Hunt Street. DHA Planning, agent for the applicant, argued
that the scheme’s merits included re-using rural buildings, providing live-work units, whichwould help preserve the rural economy and sustainabil- ity. It said it would also protect the character and appearance of the countryside and the amenity of residents. Its supporting statement concluded: “The change of use of the stable building is supported by planning policy and that the single live/work unit will provide local employment which will boost the local economy.”
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