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suggested that speed bumps along the route would assist with this problem. Cllr Cooke would look into


what could be done but the im- mediate issue was the enforce- ment of speed limits by the police. A resident raised concerns


about the poor condition of the road surface at TheMilners. Cllr Cooke said it was not an adopted road according to KCC records, but agreed the road condition was poor and he would follow this up with Kent Highays. The possibility of starting a Speedwatch group in the village would be investigated.Mr Evans from Kingswood and Broomfield Neighbourhood Watch gave a presentation on the scheme and the benefits of having a group in the parish. Cllr Cookewould be funding a parish clean-up again this year. Members raised concerns


about the lack of feedback from Lorry Watch. Cllr Cooke would take this up with the KCC co-or- dinator and report back.


Otham Council Council vacancy


A FEW residents had expressed an interest in the vacancy on the parish council. Councillors were asked to follow up leads. Cllr Peter Bonner had for- warded a letter of resignation due to family commitments. The clerk was to advertise the va- cancy. The police report mentioned a


theft from a vehicle at Gable Cot- tages, Otham Street, and a JCB had been stolen from a property in Holly Farm Road, Otham. The meeting heard that KCC


was to carry out a boundary re- view. This was likely to lead to a reduction in councillors, from


the existing 84 to possibly the low 70s. There would be an op- portunity for parish consulta- tion. Cllr Gary Cooke was to check


the drainage situation following the resurfacing work in Honey Lane. At a recent highwaysmeeting,


KCC planning officers recog- nised the danger of allowing di- rect vehicular access from the potential development into Gore CourtRoad. The unsuitability of routes through Otham and Downswood for extra traffic was also noted. The police were aware of the burning of waste in the Holly Farm Road area. Cllr Mike Bottle was to check the information provided by his source. Cllr Bottle was to discuss the village green status with Cllr Roz Cheesman. The matter would be discussed further at the nextmeeting. It was noted that a tree on the boundary of the green had fallen on the fence of a neighbouring property. The clerk was to arrange for an estimate and for work to be carried out to remove the branches and make good the fence as soon as possible. Untaxed cars were appearing


two or three times a week on the verge next to the White Horse pub. The clerk was to report this to the police. The clerk was to contact Rev Hughes to ask that the church take control of the Remem- brance Day service at the War Memorial. Cllr Bottle proposed a donation of £40 for awreath and this was agreed. A village walk organised by


the residents’ association had been postponed from September to November. A number of mar- shals would be needed to direct


PLANS have been unveiled to erect 10 hectares of polytunnels on land at Ulcombe Hill, Ulcombe. The planning application, by G Charlton & Sons, would see 3.75m high polytunnels placed at the southern end of Church Farm at the foot of the Greensand ridge, on gen- tly sloping land to the west and north west of fish ponds and wood- land known as Lodge Close and be- tween 300 and 500m to the west of The Street. Subject to Maidstone Council granting planning consent, the poly- tunnels would be covered between March and October from 2015. They would aid the production of 200 tonnes of raspberries or 400 tonnes of strawberries from the farm. A supporting statement says the polytunnels would be located over 300m from the closest neighbouring properties in The Street and would be screened by hedgerow and trees. About 80,000 Gala apple trees would also be planted over 27 hectares.


walkers. Cllr Stella Trench was to circulate a date for the walk and send Cllr John Middleton a map. The clerk reported that the


drain outside Wardes had been cleared by Highways Services.


Ulcombe Council Crime report


THERE had been seven reported crimes during the last month with five related to an ongoing family issue and two being part of a farmers’ dispute.Nonein- volved or affected anyone else in the parish. The mobile police surgery would be held in the village hall car park if the school layby was full. These take place fortnightly at 5pm on a Friday. Broomfield and Kingswood


Parish Council had noted the in- terest in joining in a possible minibus service to run from Kingswood to Headcorn via Ul- combe. Quotations for a minibus would be obtained. The parish council considered


the draft Kent Association of Local Councils’ response to the Department for Communities LocalGovernment’s greater flex- ibilities for change of use con- sultation. It disagreed with the response on a number of key points and would note its com- ments to KALC. Maidstone Council had been


asked to attend a public briefing for residents of Ulcombe and Headcorn to explain the new government guidance on renew- able energy along with its own evolving policies. The borough had advised this would not be possible but a briefing would be given for borough and parish councillors. A site meeting was due to be held in November to discuss ad-


ditional safety signage atWents crossroads,with Kent Highways and KCC ward member Cllr JennyWhittle. Despite the parish council’s re-


quest for more signs at the Cheg- worth Road/A20 junction to warn of the unsuitability of the road for HGVs, Kent Highways considered that the present sig- nage was adequate. The parish council would again note that the wide mouth of the road en- couraged some drivers to use the road, regardless of the signs, and a request for a gatewaywould be made. The drainage problems on


both sides of Ulcombe Hill and down in to the village had again been referred to Kent Highways for action. Cllr Whittle had confirmed funding for speedwires to be in- stalled in the village to collect data to support a police speed check. KCC had notified the parish council of a claimed footpath application (between Lenham Road


and footpaths


KH312/KH313A) and sought its views.


Parishioners had advised of a number of problems regarding the school bus service and these were due to be reported to the East of Maidstone Bus Group meeting. The findings of the tree in- spection for the recreation ground were discussed and quo- tations would be obtained for the recommended works. Quota- tions were being sought for the external repairs and repainting of the pavilion. The parish council was to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service at All Saints’ Church on behalf of the parish.


Polytunnels plan Games awards presented at club


MAIDSTONE Working Men’s Club and Institute has held its 77th annual games pres- entation evening. Winners of the 17 winter games, sevenmemorial com- petitions and 12 open com- petitions collected trophies or drink vouchers. They were also presented with cupsand shields that are kept in the club’s trophy cabinets. This year’s overall winner


EIGHT new homes could be built to replace the existing dwelling at 44 Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone. Brookworth Homes has applied to demolish


the building and erect eight three-bedroom ter- race houses in two rows of four. The applicant says the proposal is submitted


as an extension of the development at Frigenti Place, which contains a block of nine flats and a terrace of five houses. “It is logical for the lay- out to follow the building lines established by


was last year’swinnerDennis St John, whowon theWilfred Sharp shield, and the runner- up,RobUnderwood,was pre- sented with the Percy Ansell cup. After the presentation of


the prizes by Bill Williams, chief executive of Maidstone United, there was live music and a buffet. Bill Williams is pictured with Dennis St John.


Plan to demolish home and extend development


this existing development,” a supporting state- ment said. There would be two parking spaces per dwelling as well as a separate parking area for visitors. Maidstone Council will determine the outline application, which deals with matters of access and layout. Should consent be granted, the applicant would then have to sub- mit a detailed planning application that would provide information on scale, appearance and landscaping.


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