Reptiles a condition of homes scheme


THE presence of grass snakes, slow worms and common lizards threatened to derail a proposal to build 53 houses on greenfield land south of Oliver Road, Staplehurst. Taylor Wimpey’s planning application to


build on two fields, which includes 21 af- fordable homes (40% of the total number) on the north field and a nature reserve on the south, was eventually approved by Maidstone Council’s planning committee. But there remained concerns that the


north field’s 1.4 hectares of reptiles – de- scribed as “good quality” in a planning offi- cer’s report – would be lost forever. Taylor Wimpey had proposed to translo-


cate the reptiles to the site it owns in Hayle Place, Tovil. This was deemed sufficient by KCC’s ecology expert, but met with fury by Cllr Tony Harwood, a committee member, who said: “The proposed receptor site at Hayle Place already supports slow worm, common lizard and grass snake, so reloca- tion of reptiles will result in no net gain for


Officer returns to lead West


wildlife, but instead severe harm to the ex- isting population and displaced reptiles. “Hayle Place is not of a high enough qual-


ity. Compared to the site in Staplehurst it is like chalk and cheese and the reptiles will get eaten by crows. “A site currently devoid of reptile popula-


tions should be identified and brought into sympathetic management.” Cllr Harwood’s views were looked on sympathetically by other members of the committee, and after a 45-minute discus- sion, it was agreed to grant planning per- mission subject to a condition reviewing the proposed receptor site, while exploring the possibility of transporting the reptiles to the south field.


Bringing in the green space TAYLOR Wimpey’s scheme includes a ‘Green- way Route’ – a green linear space that draws the open space into the heart of the develop- ment, culminating in a central square.


‘We’ll be overlooked’ RESIDENTS appealed for the develop- ment to be sited elsewhere. Speaking on behalf of those living in


24-32Butcher Close, Susan Hubbard told the planning committee: “These houses are all set significantly lower than the northern boundary and the proposed new houses will overlook the houses in Butcher Close. “The proposal is heavily weighted to- wards its northern border with houses closer to Butcher Close, leaving signifi- cantly more open space to the south. It would be much more acceptable if the development was moved southward.” However, the committee raised no ob- jections to this aspect of the develop- ment, which includes 102 parking spaces. “I like the design and it is very nice layout,” said Cllr Ian Chittenden, a committee member.


Fury over gates decision


Kent division CHIEF Superintendent Steve Corbishley has returned for his third stint at Maidstone police sta- tion, taking up the role of divisional commander for West Kent. The divi-


sion covers Maidstone, Tun- bridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge andMalling. He succeeds acting Chief Su- perintendent Andy Rabey who held the position on a tempo- rary basis, following the depar- ture to force headquarters of Chief Superintendent Matthew Nix.


After joining Kent Police in


1993, Chief Supt Corbishley has performed a variety of roles, with much of his early career in the criminal investi- gation department. He under- took his first command role in 2004 at Maidstone, returning again in 2006. He was appointed area com- mander at Medway in 2008, where significant reductions in crime were achieved and long- standing problems addressed, notably the virtual removal of street prostitution in Chatham. Since July 2011, he has taken charge of the partnership direc- torate at force HQ, with re- sponsibility for strategic crime reduction activity, partnership and community engagement. He said: “I am pleased to be


given the opportunity of leading the police team atWest division and look forward to seeing many familiar faces. The key will be to continue reducing crime and anti-social behaviour andmaking surewe provide the best possible service.”


VILLAGERS in Marden and Sta- plehurst are furious that KCC has done an about-turn on a de- cision to put a multi-purpose ‘Kent Carriage Gap’ in a pictur- esque country lane. Residents have campaigned


for years for the council to clear a section of Clapper Farm Lane and make it once more accessi- ble to horses, carriages, cyclists and pedestrians. A year ago, Maidstone’s Joint


Transportation Board agreed that Kent Carriage Gap bollards were the best way to open the route, while banning vehicles. However, KCC has now de-


cided to install ‘hop-over’ gates, which locals saywill lead to ac- cidents and deter horse-riders and disabled people. KCC says the gates will allow


use of the lanewhile give an ap- pearance of being closed off, deterring motorbikes and quad bikes. Both the chairman of Staple-


MAIDSTONE has a new mayor. Councillors elected Cllr Clive English to represent the bor- ough for the coming year, taking over the chain of office from Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie. A LibDem member for High


Street Ward since 1994, Cllr English was nominated for the position by fellow Cllr Ian Chit- tenden (Lib Dem) who said he was “well known in council cir- cles to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of local and national government”. However, as a councillor, he is probably best known for his knowledge of planning issues. Seconding the motion, Con- servative Cllr Stephen Paine said: “He has given a lifetime to public service and for that we should all respect him. I think


hurst and clerk of Marden Parish Councils, Cllr John Perry and Alison Hooker, have writ- ten to KCC protesting at the switch. They say they were not consulted about the decision to switch to hop-over gates. MrsHooker wrote: “We find it extraordinary that KCC appar- ently thinks it appropriate to consult on a traffic regulation order and then choose to ignore what we understand to be the concensus response.” Cllr Perry thought the pro-


posed hop-over gates would be forbidding looking barriers to all users of the lane. JTB chairman Cllr Gary Cooke


said the decision had already been taken by KCC and was out of the board’s hands. Mrs Hooker, on behalf of Mar-


den Parish Council, told high- ways director John Burr: “Members look forward to working with you more posi- tively in the future.”


he will make a superb mayor.” Cllr Fay Gooch, on behalf of


the Independ- ents, sup- ported the motion, say- ing: “Having loyally served this borough and its com- munities for so many years, Cllr English (pictured) has rightly earned the honour and pride of being Mayor of Maidstone.” Accepting the role, the new


mayor said: “There is much to be proud of in the community that we all, in different ways, serve. Thank you very much, mem- bers, for your support, and I will tryveryhardtoliveuptoit!”


Woodturners


mark 25 years KENTWoodturners Club is cel- ebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Formed in 1989, it was known as the Kent Chapter of the Association ofWoodturners of Great. Then, it had just a few members, but today it boasts a membership of over 100. Club meetings and demon- strations bywell known profes- sional woodturners, are held at Aylesford Priory on the first Tuesday evening and the third Saturday of each month. Any- one is welcome to come along. Call John Ellender on 01622 735637 for more information. Every year the club holds two exhibitions. This year they are from July 6-14 and November 2- 17. Generally, 25 woodturners exhibit over 1,500 items such as bowls, vases, candlesticks, pen- dants, pens and clocks. The ex- hibition is held in the oak-framed barn at the entrance to the Priory. Entry is free.


New mayor proud to take on role Cllr English was born in


Walthamstow, London, before moving to Maidstone in 1961. He gainedaBA(Hons)inhis- tory and politics at Lancaster University and became a Methodist Church accredited preacher in 1990. He started his working career at Canterbury City Council planning depart- ment, before moving to the RoyalMail where he worked in data management and logistics. He became a borough council-


lor in 1994 and has served on a number of committees, notably planning and transportation, and leisure overview and scrutiny. He also held the post of cabinet member for regeneration. His interests include chess,


being an officer with the Boys Brigade and charity work.


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