Woodland destroyed at caravan park
MAIDSTONE Council may press for a fine to be issued after “thousands of trees were grubbed out” in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near Harriet- sham. The planning committee refused a retro- spective planning application by Sines LLP that included the destruction of a number of protected hawthorn and sycamore trees at the Pilgrims Retreat caravan park, in Hogbarn Lane. Having already activated a stop notice
and enforcement order, the council is con- sidering issuing a summons against who- ever was responsible for the felling. This could lead to a replanting order and a fi- nancial penalty under tree preservation order (TPO) laws. The woodland was grounded as part of engineering operations to create terraces as the caravan site expands. The proposed in- troduction of 69 static caravans would take the total number on the site to 180, lower than the 198 already approved. Council planning officers called for the
4G ‘will boost
town business’ SUPER FAST 4G mobile inter- net technology has arrived in Maidstone. The service from mobile phone network EE, which runs Orange and T-Mobile, makes Maidstone one of the best-con- nected areas in Europe. The 4G mobile service allows smart- phone users to surf the internet an average five times faster than the current 3G, EE said. Maidstone Council wel- comed the technology and be- lieved it would drive economic growth by improving business productivity, aswell as making the area more attractive to busi- nesses and residents. Cllr Brian Moss, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “Now the latest genera- tion of mobile technology has arrived, we are an areawhere it is even more attractive to live, to work and to do business.”
Hundred voices
in charity night THE 100 voices of the com- bined Kent Police and Thanet Male Voice Choirs will sing at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, on October 12 in this year’s Riverside Rotary Charity Con- cert.
The event is organised by Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club, and all the proceeds will go to two Kent-based charities - Heart of Kent Hospice and Demelza, as well as other local charities. The combined choir will be conducted by Martin Rendle and accompanied by pi- anist, Karen Barton, with pro- fessional soloists Hannah Kirk and Michelle Harris. Tickets are £15 and can be bought online at
www.ro-
taryconcert.co.uk or from the Heart of KentHospice on 01622 790195.
36 East
development to be given the go-ahead, claiming the applicant’s proposal to plant 300 new trees would sufficiently replace those subject to TPOs that had been lost. The applicant argued that it removed low level bushes and shrubs that were not sub- ject to a TPO. But there was opposition from CPRE
Kent, the Kent Downs AONB, Harrietsham Parish Council and, ultimately, the plan- ning committee. Cllr Tony Harwood, a committee mem- ber, said: “The legislation guidance behind
VTeam awards night
VTEAM volunteers, who help out the elderly and disabled, were presented with certificates recognising their commit- ment at a social event and buffet at theMaidstone Commu- nity Support Centre. The VTeam is a service of Voluntary Action Maidstone,
based at the centre inMarshamStreet. The volunteers carry out gardening and DIY tasks, to help elderly and disabled people stay in their homes. One of the volunteers said: “I’m so grateful to the VTeam
for the help it has given me in moving forward in my life. I now have a job that I would not have had if I had not joined the VTeam.” For further information contactmanagerLiz Tredget at the centre on 01622 677 337.
MRS Harmsworth has been for- bidden from felling three pro- tected sweet chestnut trees at 6 Sandstone Rise,Walderslade. Her application form voices
fears that the trees could dam- age a fence and blow down in high winds. “The trees also cre- ate lots of shade when in leaf during the summer months,” it added.
However, Maidstone Council refused the planning applica- tion as an inspection revealed no defects or fungal decay. “The three trees are prominent ma- turing specimens visible from surrounding roads and as such
TPOs is very strong and unlimited fines can be given to people who break the rules. There is a very good reason why TPOs were placed on these trees. “It is because of the raised land levels
and because the caravan site is not the most attractive development in the AONB. If we send out the message that we as a planning authority are happy to reward preemptive clearing of TPO trees in the borough then where will it end?” Cllr Tony Taylor, a member of Harriet-
sham Parish Council, urged the borough council to “step up to the plate and enforce their duties” regarding reinstating the trees and punishing those responsible for felling them. Ten members of the committee voted in favour of refusing the planning applica- tion, with two abstentions. Principal planning officer Peter Hockney
said: “Given the refusal of the planning ap- plication further consideration is being given to taking action under TPO legisla- tion.”
VTeam volunteers withmayor Clive English Chestnuts ‘are valuable’
provide a valuable contribution to the character of the area,” it added. The applicant was, however,
given consent to coppice one group of sweet chestnuts and prune back one sweet chestnut by approximately 2-2.5m.
Pre-school report IN AN article in last month’s issue, we wrote that Carol Swan runs St Peter’s Busy Bees pre-school, Bearsted. Carol Swan is in fact the chair- person. Judy Holland has been running it as supervisor.
AWEBSITE whereMaidstonians can share their memories of the town has been taken over by a new person. “Maidstone: I remember it well” allows past
and present residents to reminisce about subjects such as riding on trolley buses through the town centre, working in the breweries that stood on the banks of the River Medway and watching TheWho perform at Granada Cinema. The site was founded by Peter Capon in 2011
but has just been taken over by regular contribu- tor Les Swaffer. Mr Swaffer, who grew up in Maidstone, said:
“My involvement with the website started when I was talking to someone about the Star Dance Hall that had all the big groups. When I got home I did a search online and came up with the site,
Tourist access DR ROBERT Spain has applied for a new access road to serve tourist accommodation on land to the rear of Old Harbourland, Boxley Road, Boxley. A statement said: “The appli-
cants propose to provide a short access way across the northern end of their agricul- tural land from the parish council’s access road to their residential curtilage to provide for a separate means of access to the tourist accommodation in the converted stables.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.
New face behind memories website
and started to add a bit here and there. “Then Peter Capon felt he could no longer
carry on with it and asked for someone to take it over. I did think about it as I had not long found it, but no one else came forward and I thought it was too good a site to let go, so I offered to take it over.” Mr Swaffer is organising a get-together for peo-
ple who use the website and would like to share memories face to face. It will take place at The Old House at Home, Pudding Lane, from 8pm on Tuesday, October 15. Those without internet access who would like
to chat about the past are very welcome and are asked to let the pub know if they plan to attend. The site can be found at
www.maidstone-i-
remember-it-well.com
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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