DownsMail In touch with your parish


vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police by call- ing 101. There was a theft from a se-


cure outbuilding on Birling Road. A number of items of value were taken, including a ride-onmower, chainsaw, strim- mer, bike and tool box. The owner was only away for an hour and the hinges were taken off the outbuilding as it was se- curely locked. PCSO Laura Bullen had con- ducted a few patrols. Parents were angry when there were events in the village hall car park and they could not use it for parking. It was reported that cars parked by the gates on Work- house Road around 10 to 11pm. PCSO Bullen would pass this on for colleagues to investigate. A listed building application


for a new extension and garage at Dingle Dell Cottage, 88 Chapel Street, had been refused by Tonbridge and Malling Council. Views and evidence on pro-


posed boundary changes for Ryarsh had been submitted to the borough council. Affected residents had confirmed they did not receive any notification from the borough. The clerk was asked to moni-


tor any news or feedback about parish plans. The parish council has access


to a website set up specifically for parish councils by KCC – www.ryarshpc.kentparishes.gov .uk, which is free to use and the clerk can upload agendas, min- utes, information, and photo- graphs. The parish council was pleased with the hard work put in for the parish community website, but for financial and practical reasons, decided it was best not to continue paying for the site to be updated. The village hall sound system


was being installed and work completed so far looked good. Regarding vegetation clear-


ance on the public rights ofway, the clerk was asked to report to KCC the bridleway between the old sewage works and the church which was so overgrown with vegetation and nettles that itwas hard to walk along. The clerk was asked to report


to Kent Highways that a hole in Woodgate Road at the Roughetts Road junction was getting worse. Lorries had been leaving the quarry and turning along the street. When they could not pro- ceed, they were reversing and trying to turn round, which was causing problems. The chair- manwould speak to Gallaghers. The embankment on The


Street near the Roughetts Road junction was being worn away. Vehicles were pulling on to the bank to give way to other traffic


and the Tarmac was breaking up. Debris was being washed down The Street by rain and filling the new drains which were put there, leaving them unable to function. The chairmanwas completing weekly inspections of the play area and recording it in a book. There were no issues to report. An annual safety inspection had been booked with a com- pany recommended by the parish insurers.


Snodland Council Designs on signs


AT themeeting of the full coun- cil, County Cllr SarahHohler re- ported that new signs were being designed for the Ham Hill roundabout and Hollow Lane, to trytostopHGVsgoing up Hollow Lane instead of going to the distribution site. Laura Bailey would be leaving


the Beat Project.Itwas hoped that a new worker for Snodland would be appointed very soon. The town council has applied


for QEII Fields in Trust status for the whole area of Potyns field. A meeting had been held to make sure that the town council was ready to put the work for the community centre out to tender. A meeting had taken place


with the new CEO for Berkeley Homes to discuss the develop- ment of the bus route and to re- ceive an update on the development. A meeting had taken place with borough and KCC officers to discuss some concerns relating to the cycle strategy through Snodland. It was agreed that the council should buy a computer ac- counting package which would be better able to handle its fi- nances. It was agreed that reme- dial electrical work should take place at the cemetery and lodge. The meeting was pleased to confirm the employment of Karen Sowten as the CEO of Snodland Council following the six-month review of her work. It was agreed unanimously to con- firm Karen in post.


Teston Council Bungalow plan


A NUMBER of comments/ques- tions were raised by members of the public regarding a planning application for the subdivision of the plot and erection of a de- tached chalet bungalow with amenity space and parking at Dolly Bees, Malling Road. Councillors noted there was


no garage and no adequate parking space. The front door was positioned towards num- bers 3 and 4 Courtlands, over- looking those properties substantially. The large lime tree on the verge would over- hang the garden and cause a lot of light to be lost to the prop- erty. Access and its impact on


the highway was a major con- sideration. There would be dif- ficulties accessing the site with lorries. It was agreed that the parish council would object to the application. Councillors agreed that an ap- plication for a single-storey rear extension at Strathmore,60 Tonbridge Road, should be ap- proved. The chairman and two coun- cillors had attended a consulta- tion at Kings Hill on the outline application for phase 3 of the development. A letter had been drafted and this would be con- sidered by councillors. Regarding the trees on the vil-


lage green, the lower branches of the catalpa near the interpre- tation board needed lifting. It was also felt that the hawthorns along the edge of the green should be trimmed so they are above head height. However, there was concern that this would ruin their shape and that it might be preferable to remove and replace them. It was agreed that the clerk should confirm what permission was required for the catalpa, given its proximity to the public footpath across the village green, and would seek advice on the thinning or removal of the hawthorns and possible replace- mentwith cherries.


Trottiscliffe Council Subsidence


SUBSIDENCE in the road at the junction of Taylors Lane and Green Lane had been reported to Kent Highways. County Cllr Sarah Hohler would look into the question of help with the cost of signage in Pilgrims Way to advise it was unsuitable for HGVs and single track in places. The replacement of the tem- porary plastic drain covers in School Lane would be done during the summer holidays as it would be necessary to close the road. KCC had informed that cer-


tain footpaths would only be cut once a year and invited comments on the second cut. It was agreed to ask for a second cut on the latter part of MR186 as it approached the church; the end of MR186 as it became nar- row alongside the houses; the top of MR184 after the kissing gate, between the hedges. The barn dance in the village


hall had been cancelled due to lack of interest. Concern had been expressed


that the vegetation in the recre- ation ground was not being kept to its usual high standard. Dis- cussions were taking place be- tween the school and KCC regarding the main central area and Cllr John Wickham agreed to meet the contractor regarding the other areas to see what could be done.


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The following planning appli- cations were considered:Wood- stock, Pinesfield Lane, rear single extension and garage – no objec- tions to extension, objections to garage; Cedar Bungalow, Church Lane, demolition of detached dwelling and erection of four de- tached dwellings – appeal has been lodged against refusal. Concern was raised by a mem-


ber of the public fromAddington regarding the proposed develop- ment at Blackmans, Trottiscliffe Road, Addington.Aplanning ap- plication had been submitted for demolition of a detached dwelling and erection of three dwellings with associated access and parking. The council agreed to express their concerns about this development.


West Peckham Council


Event signs


ACOUPLE of verbal complaints had been received from resi- dents regarding the signs, and sometimes, balloons, that are not removed after an event at Oxenhoath. The clerk would contact Oxenhoath Manor to ask that this is undertaken. A crime report had been re- ceived but the PCSO was unable to attend the meeting. The fig- ures were not in line with reports received from Neighbourhood Watch, who would be sent a copy of the report for review. Letters had been written to Fairlawn Estate and Beech Farm Partnership regarding the in- crease of extremely large vehi- cles travelling through West Peckham. Responses had been received from Fairlawn Estate and Falmouth Estates. The clerk would also write to Wealden Fencing Company. The wall outside the church


had been inspected and the council had been advised that it did not need repointing. KHS had advised that the pot-


holes along Oxenhoath Road and Pillarbox Lane would be re- paired. The parish council reviewed


the plans for Kings Hill, phase 3, and agreed unanimously to object over the lack of existing infrastructure, including water supply, roads – particularly the A228 – and healthcare. The memorial plaque to the


late Colin Gable needed to be reinstalled after it was removed due to work on the bench. Awelcome pack had been de- livered to the new residents at The Hamptons. Oneofthe village green bye-


laws signs had been installed and the other needed to be com- pleted before the next meeting of the council. Park Road, Hadlow,would be closed for seven weeks from July 15 forwater main replacement.A diversionwould be in place.


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