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Redrow scheme ‘pleasant surprise’


COUNCILLORS were “pleas- antly surprised” by Redrow Homes’ scheme to build 130 homes inMarden. The planning committee


voted to allow the developer to build a new housing estate on the site of the MAP depot, the former base of Marden Apple Packers, as well as adjacent agri- cultural land west of Goudhurst Road directly south of the vil- lage primary school. The absence of a five-year housing land supply in the bor- ough, as ordered by the Govern- ment,meant the committee was unable to use its rural location as a reason for turning down the development. However, members praised


the scheme, which includes a central green and play-trail with more informal open space on the flood plain to the west, 16 allotment plots to the north-east and an average of 2.8 car park- ing spaces per unit. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “There was an absolute in- evitability that this site would come forward for housing. Iwas pleasantly surprised by the lay- out and elevations. I am happy with the scheme.” Cllr Ian Chittenden, who also


sits on the committee, said: “I like the layout and I love the ex- tent of green spaces. The park- ing facilities provided are excellent. It is a good use of the brownfield part of the site, the depot. The positioning of the al- lotments and the way the front is laid out is good.” Affordable housing makes up


40% (44) of the units, and com- prises four one-bed flats, six two-bed flats, 12 two-bed houses, 16 three-bed houses and six four-bed houses. The privately-owned element will offer 18 three-bed houses, 44 four-bed houses and four five- bed houses. All homes are two- storeys high, apart from the five-bed houses, which have rooms in the roofspace. There were 70 objections from members of the public. Con- cerns raised included impact on the character of the countryside and village; the exploitation of the lack of a five-year housing


when the core strategy is fi- nalised.


“Marden already has a signif-


icant traffic and parking prob- lem, both along Goudhurst Road and Howland Road. It is inconceivable that another 700 extra vehicle movements each day from this development will not make these worse.” However, head of planning


The proposed development site, with the MAP depot on the right


land supply; unsafe location in a flood plain; pre-empting the village’s emerging neighbour- hood plan; too many large homes; loss of agricultural land and the likelihood of more ve- hicle congestion.


Cllr Steve McLoughlin, who represents Marden, said: “A fig- ure of 320 houses is earmarked forMarden in the emerging core strategy, which is a 20% in- crease in the size of the village andthisislikelytobehigher


Rob Jarman said: “To refuse we would have to identify harm. There isn’t any because infra- structure providers such as KCC highways and Southern Water haven’t objected.” The committee voted to sup-


port the scheme, with eight in favour, two against and two ab- stentions.


Planning fears over homes shortfall Continued from page one


130 homes on the site of the former MAP depot in Marden, despite it being contrary to the bor- ough’s development plan as it was located partly in open countryside. It is now feared that the council will be unable


to prevent housing developments in open coun- tryside. Principal planning officer Chris Hawkins admitted at a recent planning com- mittee meeting that “speculative applications can now be submitted”. He added: “The lack of a five-year housing supplymakes it in principle hard for us to object to housing development in greenfield sites outside the village envelope.” Cllr Lesley Mannington, a member of Marden Parish Council, told the planning committee: “Marden Parish Council deplores and regrets that Maidstone Borough Council has left itself, the parish council and residents of the parish in the position where there is no planning policy in place underwhich the suitability of this site com- pared to other sites in and around the village can be compared on a consistent and fair basis. “Marden Parish Council is not opposed to sen-


sible and sensitive development in the village, which has been designated a rural service cen- tre. However, whatever development is eventu- ally permitted, there is urgent requirement of a village-wide infrastructure study to be reported before it takes place. “The lack of a local plan has opened up a de- velopers’ charter and Maidstone Borough Coun- cil in its delay has left itself wide open for premature development.” In theory, the Marden decision may have cut


the unmet five-year land supply by over 30% but Chris Garland, the council leader, said the reality was that the borough would be unable to


Scheme ‘sets precedent’ KIMGibbswasoneofagroup of about20residents wholistened tothe decision fromthe publicgallery. HetoldDownsMail: “It’sacrazydecision. The com- mittee didn’t listen to anything anyone said, itwas as if the committee had alreadymadeup its mind.” Mr Gibbs pointed out that a second company,


Phase 2 Planning and Development Ltd, had also submittedaplanning application for144homeson the opposite side of Goudhurst Road and others were showing interest in developing within the vil- lage. He said residents were concerned the ap- proval of Redrow’s application would set a precedent for future applications.Headded: “Maid- stone Council is just dumping in Marden to make their five-year housing target.” Cllr Richard Ash, a committeemember, sounded


awarning: “Mardendoesn’thaveabypass.Marden is due to have a lot of new housing in a very short period of time and theywon’t get an opportunity to adjust gradually. “This one will come up and we will have another


one fairly soon and then another one and then an- other one. That can make it a bit intolerable.”


defend applications until a concrete figure was established in the adopted core strategy. After a call for sites in February, the cabinet


will decide which ones it will allocate for hous- ing in September. The number will be based on a target of 14,800 dwellings by 2031. Following a six-week public consultation the


sites will be decided by the full council before being signed off by the Government, hopefully by next summer. He said: “We need to get our local plan in place but we have to get it right first time.”


School celebrates Ofsted grade


ST MARY’S Church of England Primary School in Laddingford is celebrating a good Ofsted report. The small village school got a grade 2 – good – in every category when inspectors visited. Inspectors said the school was extremely well led


by head teacher Linda Oliver, and substantial im- provements had been made in teaching, pupils’ achievement and behaviour since the previous in- spection two years ago, when the school scored grade 3 – satisfactory. Someteachingwasdeemedtobe outstanding and


the reception classwas singled out for praise for giv- ing pupils a solid start. Ms Oliver, who was appointed two years ago, was delighted to see the school going from strength to


18 South


strength.She said: “The report is confirmation of how a village school can provide an excellent education while maintainingacaring ethos. The school is an es- sential part of the local community. All the staff have worked extremely hard and are committed and dedi- cated to ensuring that the children enjoy their learn- ing. Iamextremely proud of all the staff and pupils.” In order to achieveanoutstanding grade next time, inspectors advised the school to continue improving standards of teaching, give pupils more time to re- spond to guidance offered when teachers mark their books, and ensure all lessons are stimulating. Children, teachers and staffwere treated toaparty


to celebrate the good report and pupils are pictured (right) releasing balloons into the sky.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


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