downsmail.co.uk Glamping


pods planned ACARAVANsite in Marden hopes to become the latest location in the borough to offer glamping facilities. Glamping, shorthand for glam-


orous camping, involves the estab- lishment of luxurious tents or wooden camping pods. The idea has proved a success in less than a year at Leeds Castle. S Mannington & Son has lodged


a planning application to increase the number of pitches at Tanner Farm Caravan Park in Goudhurst Road from 100 to 130, with 10 of these devoted to camping pods. A supporting statement said the


pods “give the customers who do not own equipment the ability to enjoy the camping ethos in what is basically a smallwooden cabin.”. Each pod, whichwould cater for


up to six people, measures 4.8m by 3.6m at the base and 2.8m high to the ridge. They would be con- nected towater and electricity. The applicant said there was


space for 130 pitches for tents and caravans, “but they are never all booked because the site licence only allows occupation for 100”. The application, to be determined


by Maidstone Council, includes an extension to the toilet and shower block, hardstanding for some pitches and a recreation room.


Driving ban


LOUISE Spear (30), of Linton Road, Loose, was banned from driving for two years after admitting drink driving after an incident in Terrace Road, Fant. Shewas stopped while driving a


Ford Puma and gave a reading of 113mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Spearwas ordered to carry out 80


hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.


Pamper night


A LADIES’ pamper and gift evening at Yalding Village Hall in memory of villager Veronica ‘Ronny’ White raised more than £600 for Heart of Kent Hospice. Funds raised online and with a sponsored bike ride brought the total raised to £2,200.


News


Call for safety promise before road re-opens


VILLAGERS are asking KCC for proof that the road running through Leeds is sound before it is re-opened to traffic.


The parish council wants the


highways authority to provide an assurance that the entire length of the B2163 is “geologically and tech- nically surveyed” to prevent a re- currence of the road collapse that has kept it shut since November. KCC Cllr Gary Cooke predicts


the road will now not re-open until May, and only when KCC is 100% convinced of its safety. The massive void that appeared beneath Upper Street, just below the former Ten Bells pub, has swal- lowed tonnes of concrete and road stone. Specialist drilling rigs are working to inject more concrete to


stabilise the road, pavement and surrounding properties. Tempo- rary sewage, gas, electricity and water pipes will need to be re-laid before the road can be re-surfaced. But the parish council fears the


road, which suffered a similar col- lapse eight years ago, is no longer fit for purpose. It wrote in a letter to KCC: “We require the KCC not to open the road until such written assurances are given to residents.” It also wants the weight limit on


the road reduced from 17 to 7.5 tonnes and signs at both ends of the village – an issue being pur- sued by Cllr Cooke.


Shelter scheme a success


LOCAL people have responded well to a Downs Mail appeal for food, clothes and donations to help the Maidstone Churches’ Winter Shel- ter campaign. MP Helen Grant helped launch


the appeal, along with Major Grayson Williams from the Salva- tion Army, with whom she is pic- tured. The eight-week project saw the homeless being cared for in differ- ent churches, manned by church members and other volunteers. It meant rough sleepers were


able to benefit from hospitality, a hot meal and overnight shelter. With further support from coun-


cillors and partner agencies, such as Porchlight and the Salvation Army, the campaign has also been able to


MP Helen Grant with Major Grayson Williams


offer help in finding more sustain- able housing and reconnecting homeless people with the appropri- ate support services.


Tories move to new office to cut costs Dogwalkers raise cash to help strays


KEEN dog walkers braved heavy rain to navigate the muddy paths of Boughton Monchelsea, raising more than £350 for Battersea Dogs Home. The walk ended at the Cock Inn, where the highlight of the event was the auction of an original sketch by Graham Clarke.


THE two Conservative associations serving Maidstone borough – Maidstone and The Weald and Faversham and Mid Kent – will move to a new home in April. Both have joined the West Kent


Group of Conservative associations to share office and administration costs. The group has been operating


from offices atWest Malling for sev- eral years, serving just three associ-


ations – Tonbridge and Malling, TunbridgeWells and Chatham and Aylesford. From April it will be centrally lo-


cated in Paddock Wood, with An- drew Kennedy the agent. Cllr John Wilson, chairman of Maidstone and The Weald, said: “This does not affect our opera- tional independence in any way. “It merges back office functions under one roof and brings a big


saving. We can now spend our money on winning elections.”  Maidstone and The Weald MP Helen Grant shared the former as- sociation office in Albion Place, Maidstone, and has now estab- lished her own Maidstone office at Link House, Knightrider Court, Knightrider Street, Maidstone. Her Weald office is at TheWeald Infor- mation Centre, The Old Fire Sta- tion, Stone Street, Cranbrook.


He said: “We need these restric-


tions to be enforced and the parish council is looking to have its own dedicated special constable to do this, which I think is a great idea. “Once the road is open, we will continue to work together to bring traffic speeds down, particularly during school times.”Aspokesman forKCCsaid therewas no evidence that lorries had caused the prob- lem, and a commitment had been given to survey the road before it opens. He said itwas impossible to predict the size of the repair bill and the extent of any liability im- plications.


Housing may replace hotel


A HOTEL in East Sutton that was destroyed by a fire could be re- placed by three four-bedroomed detached homes. The Shant Hotel, in East Sutton


Road, has not re-opened since the fire in September 2002, despite planning consents being granted to rebuild it. Now, applicant Phil Paine wants


to remove the hotel and build new homes on the site. A supporting statement said:


“For a number of reasons, chief amongst which are the change in the economy, the development of similar venues in the immediate surrounding area and the current hotel/public house market, the ap- plicant has not been able to rebuild the hotel.” The site was once occupied by


the Prince ofWales pub, whichwas extended to include a hotel and a restaurant. It eventually became The Shant Hotel. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.


Calling time


ADISUSED pub in Sutton Valence could be converted into a family home. Leslie Balfour-Lynn has also ap-


plied to replace a rear extension at the Grade II Listed Swan Inn in Broad Street. A supporting statement said the


pub was no longer viable. It added that the scheme would involve “minor alterations to the historic parts of the property”. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.


Maidstone South February 2014 17


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