Birds and crowds flock to fete


BEAUTIFUL weather brought a large crowd to East Farleigh village fete, where they enjoyed arena events in- cluding an impressive birds of prey dis- play by The Hawking Centre, Doddington. There was a varied selection of food


and drink on sale, games for children and adults to try, plus craft stalls and competitions. Pony rides were organised by The


Horseshoes Riding School and many prizeswere kindly donatedby localbusi- nesses. Maidstone MP Helen Grant came along with her husband and dog Charlie. After all expenses the fete made a profit of about £1,280.


Golf part of


plan for park GOLFERS could get the chance to learn about Maid- stone’s heritage while play- ing a round, if plans for Mote Park go ahead. An adventure golf course is


just one idea being consid- ered to develop the park’s earning potential. Others in- clude an artificial ice rink, a café and a conference centre. Cllr Malcolm Greer said the


golf course, which would tell the history of Maidstone from marshland to themillennium, would increase visitors to the park. He also hoped the con- ference centre could be a li- censed wedding venue. Cllr Greer told the town’s business forum: “We need to look at franchising and in- creasing the earning potential of our assets. We need to make Maidstone somemoney and Mote Park could be a big earner.” Cllr Greer said the plans would include more parking, plus signs around the town, to help visitors find attrac- tions. With 400 people due to


startwork at the KIMS hospi- tal next year and plans for the redevelopment of Not- cutts, Cllr Greer said he was hoping a circular bus service could link Notcutts, KIMS, the town centre and the pro- posed Next at Home store.


Trees ‘rotting’ GEOFFREY Martin has ap- plied for conservation area consent to remove two silver birch trees in Boughton Monchelsea. His application form regard-


ing the trees at the front gar- den of 21 The Quarries said: “These trees are growing through the telephone and electrical power lines servic- ing the house and could cause damage to these lines in the event of high winds. “Trimming of these trees


has caused the trees to rot.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning appli- cation.


Fete supporter PatWilmshurst meets one of the birds of prey from The Hawking Centre, and left, facepainting was popular


Gypsies can stay on land


TWO gypsy families have won their battle to stay on land in Staplehurst. In October last year Maid-


stone Council had refused an application to station two mo- bile homes, three touring cara- vans and two utility blocks on land between Park Wood Lane and Frittenden Road for causing harm to the open countryside. But Shane Peckham and


Kevin Harrington have now won their case on appeal. Plan- ning inspector Bridget Camp-


PLEAS from gypsies to remain permanently on their sites in Symonds Lane, Yalding were unable to sway Maidstone Council’s planning committee. Mrs Coster, from Pear Pad-


dock, and Mrs Coates, from neighbouring Pear View, each requested that the temporary permission for two mobile homes and a touring van on their sites be made permanent. But the committee felt the vi-


sual harm caused by the two sites, as stated by a planning in- spector in 2009, had still not been addressed, so decided to give the applicants three years to improve their surroundings. Mrs Coster told the commit-


tee: “We have been on this land since 2001, but have only had temporary permission. My chil- dren are respected in the com- munity and my grandchildren


FOUR caravans are to be added to a “spacious” gypsy site in Boughton Monchelsea. Maidstone Council’s plan-


ning committee granted per- mission for a total of 12 caravans at The Orchards, off Snowey Track, off Park Lane. In January 2011, the committee gave consent for four gypsy families to live in eight cara- vans on the land. Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council objected due to the ef- fect on the open countryside. Users of the footpath next to the


site said they felt intimidated by the occupant’s dogs. But the size of the former cherry orchard, which is shel- tered by woodland, meant the committee was unable to refuse on grounds of harm. The scheme was approved unanimously.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


bell reported: “The need for more sites continues and no progress has as yet been made in planning to address that need.


“There are two families on the appeal site with a total of four young children. A settled base is required to assist access to health facilities and education. “It is highly unlikely that a


gypsy site in the countryside would not have some effect on the character and appearance of the area, but in this case the de-


Families’ anxiety continues


go to Laddingford Primary School. We consider ourselves to be part of the community. “We are more screened than


the gypsy site at the end of Symonds Lane that has been given permanent permission, so why can’t we?” Mrs Coates said: “My husband


has breathing problems and I suffer with nerves, which is why I ask for permanent permission. Getting just a three-year permis- sion givesme anxiety.” Cllr Tony Harwood, a member


of the committee, said: “Al- though it can be soul-destroying to get three-year permissions,my suggestion to the applicants is to think about screening so we can potentially remove the uncer- tainty in three years’ time.” The committee unanimously backed three-year permissions for both sites.


Four extra caravans on spacious site


velopment has the advantage of a backdrop of woodland to the south. “The screening effect of inter- vening hedgerows would be re- inforced and built upon with the planting recently under- taken by the appellants and, with further planting along the Park Wood Road frontage and the removal of the inappropri- ate close board fencing, the de- velopment


could Day room ‘will


minimise risks’ CATHERINE McCann has ap- plied to station a mobile home, touring caravan and day room for gypsy use at White House Farm, Stilebridge Lane, Linton. A supporting statement said: “Existing hedgerows, bunds and areas of substantial vegeta- tion will be retained and aug- mented wherever possible. Additional native hedgerow and tree planting will supple- ment what exists on the site and where any hedgerow is re- moved this will be replaced. “The day room will provide facilities that enable the occu- pants of the caravans to min- imise the recognised hazards associated with cooking and fire in the close confines of car- avans and provide facilities for washing and bathing and the maintenance of basic hygiene.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


New generation AN additional family has been given permission to live at a gypsy site in Chart Sutton. Permission existed for three mobile homes and two touring caravans at Little Appleby, Lucks Lane. John Smith Jr has now been allowed to site an- other mobile home in place of a touring caravan to enable his son Joseph Smith to live with his partner and daughter. Maidstone Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.


South 23


successfully assimilated into its surroundings.”


be


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