Homeless people camping in woods


HOMELESS people have set up camp in woodland near Sandling. Two tents could be seen near a footpath from Sandling Lane, close to the junction with Cuckoo Woods Avenue, at the beginning of May, but residents said there were four tents there the previous week. It is believed there could be up to eight people camped in the woods – six Britons and two Bulgarians – and it is thought some of them are working. Residents of nearby Burleigh Drive, Boar-


ley Court and Sandbourne Drive live within metres of the tents and some phoned Maidstone Council and the police with concerns about the homeless people’s wellbeing in the cold weather, as well as their own health and safety. One woman, who did not wish to be named, said people had been sleeping rough there for more than amonth, includ- ing during the cold snap near Easter. She said: “This is a very quiet area and resi- dents are worried about more homeless people setting up camp in the woods if they think they can get away with it. We don’t want it to become Tent City.” The woman said the campers had not caused any trouble as far as shewas aware, but added that residents had discussed the matter before approaching the council. A secondwoman confirmed the campers


primary school DIANE Moore, the head teacher of Mereworth Community Pri- mary School, was said by Of- sted inspectors to be an excellent leader who inspired pupils and staff to do their best. They found that the govern-


ing body supported the school, which was rated good, and as a result the school had made good improvements in all areas since the last inspection. Pupils achieved well and


made good progress overall – some made outstanding progress. Attainment was above average in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of years 2and 6. The promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cul- tural development was out- standing and teaching in most classes was at least good. Teachers made sure pupils


knew what they were learning and the steps they needed to take to learn quickly and well. Provision in reception was


good, getting children off to a good start. The school was found to be a safe and happy community, which was re- flected in above average atten- dance. The school could achieve an outstanding rating by increas- ing the proportion of outstand- ing teaching and improving marking in key stage 2. Some pupils did not make


good progress in writing, and children in years one and two should be given more opportu- nities to practise their writing skills, the inspectors said.


6 Malling


were not making noise or leaving rubbish. She believed a second campsite had been set up further into the woods. The tents were covered in plastic sheet-


ing held down by logs, and a campfire had been built in a hole in the ground. There was no litter when the Downs Mail visited the site and bluebells had started to appear. Although residents told the Downs Mail


they thoughtMaidstone Council was pow- erless to remove the campers from private land, a spokesman revealed there was ac- tion the authority could take. She said: “We have contacted the landowner and given them advice regarding the people staying on their land. “As this is private land, the council can


take action where there is anti-social be- haviour or a risk to public health, and there is so far no evidence of either. If the


landowner does not want to take action, the council will consider planning en- forcement action.” She confirmed the council was working


with the police and homelessness charity Porchlight to give the tents’ inhabitants housing advice. Councillor Wendy Hinder, who repre-


sents Boxley ward on Maidstone Council and North ward on Boxley Parish Council, said residents approached her about the homeless campers more than a month ago. She said: “Residents were concerned about their own health and safety issues as well as those of the homeless people. I believe someone from the council and the local PCSO visited the site and spoke to the peo- ple living in the tents. “From what I’m told they were very po-


lite and were keeping the site clean and tidy. I contacted Porchlight over Easter be- cause it was bitterly cold and I was con- cerned about them sleeping rough – I wouldn’t have wanted to be sleeping in a tent in that weather.” A police spokesman added: “We are


aware of areas where homelessness has been reported and we attend meetings to identify whether there are any opportuni- ties for police intervention. We are cur- rently working with Maidstone Council and other parties on this matter.”


High praise for Gypsy can keep caravans on site


A ROMANY gypsy has won his planning battle to keep two pre- viously unauthorised caravans on land at West Street, East Malling.


Government inspector Paul Dignan overturned Tonbridge andMalling’s refusal of planning permission and said that the number of pitches needed for gypsies may have been underes- timated. He said the council did not dis-


pute there was an identified need for gypsy sites in the borough, but considered this could be met on the site at Coldharbour Lane, which is being extended from eight to 26 pitches. Mr Dignan said there were 33 caravans across the borough in July 2012, which had only tem- porary planning permission. He reported: “The Coldhar- bour site will be open to all ap-


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“The problem with events – par- ticularly in the wake of some- thing like the Olympics – is that people have higher expectations all the time. And it all costs money to fulfil them. Each year, people are demanding more and more things.” The river festival is the town’s largest annual event and has taken place every year without fail – apart from last year when the Olympic Torch came to town – despite rising costs. With traders in the town stand-


ing to reap up to four times their regular profit for the day,Mr Cox


plicants in Kent, and there is a waiting list of about 110. There is an expectation that applicants from Tonbridge and Malling will be given preference, but the allo- cation criteria for the sites in- clude factors other than local need.” The Department of Communi-


ties and Local Government’s had recorded consistently high num- bers of gypsy or traveller cara- vans in Tonbridge and Malling, which had temporary or no plan- ning permission. The inspector said the number of sites needed may have been underestimated in a 2006 survey. Mr Fuller, a mobile farrier, first applied in April 2010 for the change of use for two caravans, utility shed, hardstanding and access track at Orchard Farm.He was refused planning permission by the borough council, who


said it would not be unrealistic to expect a level of contribution. He said: “The council puts £10-18,000 into the festival, but we have to pay for the things we want – bands, fireworks and so forth. We cannot charge people an admission fee, so our only real option is to get a business – or several businesses – to sponsor it.


“There are opportunities to


make money, with banners or programmes, but times are tight and nobody seems interested.” Mr Cox said he had changed


the event plan and the festival was now poised and ready to go on July 27 – but only if he re-


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


subsequently issued an enforce- ment notice ordering the removal of the mobile homes. Mr Fuller appealed to the planning inspec- torate, who upheld his case. Mr Dignan said: “Numerous is-


sues have been raised about the suitability of Coldharbour Lane. “It has been described as equivalent to a sink estate and there was some evidence of anti social behaviour and compatibil- ity issues between existing fami- lies on the site and prospective occupiers.” Steve Humphrey, Tonbridge


andMalling Council’s director of planning, said: “The council has just carried out an up to date study that identifies the need for gypsy and traveller accommoda- tion and we are making great strides tomeet much of that need in the development at Coldhar- bour.


Appeal for cash to back river festival


ceived some 11th hour support. He said: “We have turned the


event around and made it into a successful family day – with the younger people partying into the night, once the children have gone home. “All the companies and shops


in the town benefit from the fes- tival and we have a committed team of volunteers. It would be such a disappointment if we were not able to go ahead be- cause of lack of financial sup- port.”  If you would like to provide financial support for the event contact Martin Cox on 01622 202869.


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