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CCTV signs around the village. A resident had emailed to ex-


press concern about traffic speeds entering the Smarden Road junction, which was for- warded to Kent Highways. Residents from Bankfields


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ring Bell Lane car park,and to confirm with Sainsbury’s the status of its development activity. It was noted that Kent High-


had raised concern at the parish surgery that vegetation/hedges on the corner with Moat Road were no longer regularly cut back, obscuring the splay line and making it difficult for traf- fic to exit safely. This had been reported to Kent Highways. A resident from ChurchWalk


had suggested that there should be a public meeting in the vil- lage to answer concerms about the proposed solar farm. The neighbourhood plan project was going well and data analysis was being done on the traffic survey.


Site development Langley Council


COUNCILLORS considered an outline application for land at Langley Park, Sutton Road, for 600 dwellings with associated local centre comprising con- venience store, retail/commer- cial units, public house, two form entry primary school with pre-school provision and com- munity facility, public open space, allotments, nature con- servation area and landscaping. Members recommended re-


fusal with the following obser- vations: Concerns there is only one vehicular access to the site; the toucan crossing is inade- quate–afoot/cycle bridge is necessary as was originally dis- cussed; pedestrian access is insufficient and dangerous; ad- ditional access on to Brishing Road is necessary to allow for school vehicular movements; provision formedical treatment on-site; the original number of 400 houses is more appropriate with the current 600 proposed making the site too dense. If Maidstone Council ap- proves the application, the parish council requested the following conditions: mature planting needs to be of a greater density and as much of the ex- isting hedgerow be kept as pos- sible; perimeter planting should be completed before work starts; bus access on to Bircholt Road is essential; the speed limit on the A274 is reduced from 40mph to 30mph from Park Wood southwards to join the existing 30mph just past the FiveWents crossroads.


Staplehurst Council Land transfer


CHAIRMAN John Perry said he had met Cllr Eric Hotson to dis- cuss the parish council’s inten- tion to approach Maidstone Council about the possible transfer of the Surrenden Field freehold to the parish council. Councillors agreed to enquire about the possibility of transfer-


ways was planning to carry out- repairs to Hertsfield Bridge in October/November. It asked that the reinstatement of cats’ eyes on the A229 be raised at the next county councillor meeting. The parliamentary consulta-


tion on passenger transport in isolated communities was noted, and it was agreed to dis- cuss with Sainsbury’s the scope for a community bus service. Regarding the provision of allotments, the chairman’s let- ter to Golding Homes was noted. Cllr Barrett Manning said borough Cllr Richard Lusty had drawn his attention to planning applications in Mar- den that included provision of allotments. The meeting noted the clerk’s


letter to Arriva about the falling standard of the local bus serv- ice. Cllr Margaret Ashby said she had received feedback about the unsatisfactory han- dling of complaints. Cllr Joan Buller said the playscheme was going well al- though attendance was lower than last year, possibly down to the change of venue or financial constraints. Cllr Tom Burnham said Cllr


John Reardon was pursuing quotations for resurfacing of the Surrenden Playing Field play areas. Cllr Perry thanked Cllr Paul Butcher and Mrs Elaine Down- ton for their hard work in deliv- ering the UpRockin event, which was attended by 240 young people and 600 adults. Councillors agreed to ask the owners of the planter site at Chestnut Avenue whether they wished to transfer title to the land as had been done by the owner of the strip at Marden Road. Cllr Peter Spearink observed


that the recent fatal crash on the A229, although not in Sta- plehurst, reinforced the need for completion of resurfacing and replacement of cats’ eyes on the road. The caretaker had repaired a


seat at Surrenden Field and car- ried out routine maintenance. A resident advised that he


had been telephoned by Arriva about his complaints of poor service and was awaiting fur- ther information. Before themeeting, Cllr Chris Garland, leader of Maidstone Council, spoke to councillors and members of the public about the Maidstone local plan. He stressed the importance of having an evidence base to jus- tify targets; theMaidstone target of 14,800 new homes was based on analysis of current popula- tion trends.


Sutton Valence Council


THE clerk’s hours were dis- cussed as the workload had in- creased and would continue to do so, especially with the neighbourhood plan. An in- crease of 10 hours a week was agreed.


Gordon Dent was co-opted as


a member of the parish council. Maidstone Council had ap- proved the change of use of a building at Haven Farm, North Street, to A3 use (restaurants and cafes). A roof extension and dormer windows at Sutton Valence Vil- lage Hall was also approved. Weekly checks at the warme- morial play area and field were being carried out. A fence top slat had been broken off at the play area and this would be reported to the handyman. The Harbour play area and


field were now all low risk. It was agreed that the sign stating that MBC is the owner would be removed. The same dogs as before had


been reported as being loose in the Harbour play field. The clerk was instructed to write to the owner, copying in Ann Barnes, and a separate letter to Ann Barnes. An email had been received regarding the hockey club leas- ing the pavilion. The council was willing to look at this fur- ther once alternative facilities were in place for the football teams. It was agreed that the football


and lacrosse fees would remain the same as last year. Speedwatch had taken place successfully during July with 160 observations of speeding resulting in 17 warning letters and confirmation that the recording of 53 in a 30mph was one of the year’s fastest so far. Following a letter from a parishioner regarding speeding on the A274 at South Lane junction, the clerk would con- tact Speedwatch and try to find a site to operate at the bottom of Sutton Valence Hill. Allotments inspection found


six plots failing. Five holders would be contacted to see if they wished to continue and one would be asked to keep equipment inside the allotment. The bench on the Green was


rotten and the handyman would be instructed to remove and make it safe. Kingswood and Broomfield


had asked the opinion of other parish councils on employing a local contractor to take over grass cutting from MBC. The parish council did not wish to pursue this at this time. Following a parishioner’s re-


quest, a bin would be placed beside the seat on the east side of the A274.


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The BBC was filming a docu- mentary about physics called Light and Dark and had en- quired if Sutton Valence would be a suitable location for a van- tage point on a hill at nightwith a village as a distant glow. Members suggested that Sutton Valence would not be suitable for the effect they needed.


Overgrown path


West Farleigh Council


A RESIDENT reported that the footpath on Charlton Lane was overgrown. The clerk offered to report this to Kent Highways. A resident commented there


were too many advertising boards in the village. It was re- ported that the parish council does not give approval for the boards and if a residentwere to complain formally, they could be removed. The resident asked that her comments be noted as a complaint. There had been two crimes


since the meeting in May – the theft of a handbag from a vehi- cle and criminal damage where garden plants were stolen. The need for bollards in front


of the 12ft drop opposite The Thatched Cottage was dis- cussed. While on site, it was found that the bollard outside the property and the signs were covered in vegetation. Richard Dixon had cleared some of the vegetation and repainted the bollard white. The issue of the drop had been discussed and 11 bollards had been ordered for the edge of the road. The redressing of the road at


Teston Lane had been pro- grammed. Flooding close to the bridge had not been rectified. It was agreed to install 20 re- placement posts around the green and at Smith’s Hill cost- ing under £300 plus delivery. Following a letter from bor-


ough Cllr Fran Wilson seeking a list of open green spaces,it was agreed that a response should be sent, stating that Bow Hill is inappropriate for devel- opment and should be pro- tected, as should all land along the river edge from Watering- bury to East Farleigh Bridge. The tenant of the field by footpath KM21 had said he was happy for a kissing gate to be installed as long as dogs were properly controlled in the field. The clerk would inform the public rights of way officer. Cllr Scott reported on a letter


from a resident inMill Cottages regarding a planning issue at Tutsham Farm that had been circulated. He added that he was unsure of how the parish council could assist. It was noted that borough Cllr Derek Mortimer was in dialogue with the owner of Tutsham Farm and the parish councilwas also waiting for further information from the enforcement team.


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