downsmail.co.uk
‘Larger village’ plan opposed
RESIDENTS inYalding want to be left alone when Maidstone draws up its local plan. The borough council wants to classify Yalding as a larger village, based on the fact it has services such as a station, shop and post office. But residents fear this could open the floodgates to new development and are writing to the council re- questing they be left alone. The Yalding Residents Action Group, set up after a plan was re- vealed for 65 homes in the village under the current draft plan, with the possibility of more on a second site north of Vicarage Road, has bombarded the council with letters of objection to the draft plan. YRAG member Dave King said:
“We are not a Coxheath-type village and there are lots of reasons we should be downgraded to a ‘smaller village’.” More than 100 residents packed
the village hall to hear details of the plan for theGlebelands, offVicarage Road. The land, owned by the Dio- cese of Rochester, is outside the vil- lage boundary but has been
included as an acceptable site for building in the borough’s draft plan. The council admits: “The devel- opment would be a significant change to the character of the site. It would be visible from Vicarage Road, the adjacent footpath and public vantage points in the ceme- tery and allotments.” Parish council chairman Geral-
dine Brown said: “We do not want to be a larger village.We are simply unable to sustain development due to the unsuitable road network. If we lose this larger village status,we would lose the development.” Themeeting heard itwas unlikely
development would take place on the former Syngenta site in the fore- seeable future, as it depended on an assessment showing therewas a re- duced flood risk – and the Environ- ment Agencywas not sure thiswas achievable. The parish council has objected to
the draft plan, stating: “We find it extraordinary that a draft local plan can be put out to consultation with- out an integrated transport strategy to accompany it.”
Marmalade wins a prize
KENT preserves company May’s Kitchen has won a prestigious food award. The company fromChainhurst,
near Marden, took gold in the ninthWorld’s Original Marmalade Awards for its fine cut Seville orange marmalade. Owner May Turner (right) said
she was delighted to win the award: “It is amazing to be getting recognition so soon. I used to make preserves formy children, but I’m delighted everyone can enjoy them.” May sources most of her fruit
from in and around Marden, although the oranges come fromSeville. Last year, she won a gold award for her strawberry jam at theWorld Jampionships.
Teaching praised
LIVELY and vibrant teaching was credited by Ofsted inspectors for helping early years pupils make good progress at Boughton Monchelsea Primary School. Pupils’ progress had improved significantly since the last inspec- tion and was now good in English and maths. The quality of teaching could be improved in history and science and progress was not always fast enough to help pupils achieve the best possible results by year 6.
Pie championships
ORGANISERS of a wacky charity day say they are as “keen as cus- tard” to get it underway. The annual World Custard Pie Championships for 2014 will be held on Saturday, May 31, at Cox- heath village hall, starting at mid- day and culminating in the great Battle of Pies during the afternoon. Teams of four can enter at
www.worldcustardpiechampi-
onship.co.uk or call Cllr Brian Mor- timer on 07803 909 191. There is an entry fee of £40 per team of four.
News
Maidstone South May 2014
7
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