downsmail.co.uk k Boxley Parish Mail
CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline Bowdery ASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU
Tel: 01634 861237 email:
clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website:
www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website Have a say on future of parish
THE parish council is considering a neighbourhood development plan (NDP) for the parish and wouldwelcome residents’ views.
The NDP is not to be confused
with Maidstone Council’s local plan, which covers the whole bor- ough and is a separate issue. By setting out the parish council’s
policy for the development and use of land within its boundaries, an NDP would enable more commu- nity involvement in the planning process, thus allowing people to shape their local area and have a greater say in planning decisions. Once adopted, the NDP would
have to be taken into account by Maidstone Council when deciding planning applications. It should be noted, however, that
any such NDP would have to ad- here to MBC’s local plan, which is currently under consideration, and be pro-development, although it can identify areas as likely to be un- suitable. Alink to the local plan consulta-
Celebrating
theWarren THE final phase of the Celebrating BoxleyWarren project is underway. Supported by the parish council,
it is due to end on June 30. The last few months have been used to plan and contract out the interpretation side of the project including a leaflet, interpretative play, website and sculptures. Practical work has also included
three action days led by the Friends of Boxley Warren, fencing repairs and the creation of two viewpoints – one on North DownsWay and the other on the PilgrimsWay. Plans for the next three months include more action days led by the Friends of BoxleyWarren Group, a meeting of the Friends on July 2 and the construction of a pond. Other activities reported by Cllr
Bob Hinder, chairman of the group, include the installation of a seat and hazel coppicing.
Facebook page
THE parish council is now on Face- book where residents can find the latest information on parish news and events. Please ‘like’ us!
tion, which closed on May 8, and the parish council’s response, is on the parish website or may be re- quested from the parish office. As the essential ethos of an NDP
is that it should be led by the com- munity rather than the parish council, there are a number of other considerations that residents need to take into account in giving their views. Below are some of the pos- itives and negatives for undertak- ing the work: Positives
Community led; localism at its best. Influence further development, thereby protecting some areas, eg countryside at Lidsing outside of the AONB. 25% of any community infra- structure levy (CIL) payment by a developer will go to the parish to pay for local infrastructurework,
eg a pedestrian crossing (com- pared with 15% to a parish with no NDP). It can rally a community to take an interest in the area and what the parish council and local au- thorities do. Can identify areas acceptable for housing. Negatives Costly – a minimum of £16,000 (roughly 1/6 of the annual pre- cept). Few areas left to influence or protect (except CowbeckWood, Lidsing and Beechen Bank). Few areas left where the en- hanced CIL payment would be of great benefit. May prove to be awaste of time as it can be rejected at three stages (by MBC, by residents in a refer- endum or by the planning inspec- torate).
Resident rewarded for dedication AN award in recognition of long service and support to the parish and community was made to resident John Brooks at the annual parish meeting. Presenting him with the KALC Community
Awards Scheme certificate, chairman Ivor Davies (left), said: “The energy and dedica- tion of this man in working for the residents of the parish appears unending”. John was the first such recipient to be nominated in Boxley.
Council officers re-elected
THE parish council held its annual meeting at Beechen Hall, Walder- slade, on May 12, when Cllr Ivor Davieswas re-elected chairman for the coming year. Cllr Pat Brooks was re-elected vice-chairman. CllrWendy Hinder was re-appointed chairman of the environment committee with Cllr
Paul Dengate re-appointed vice- chairman. Cllr Vic Davies was re- elected chairman of the estates committee, with Cllr Bob Hinder vice-chairman. The finance and general pur-
poses committee will be chaired by Cllr Ivor Davies and Cllr Bob Hin- der will be vice-chairman.
Following the historical path
THE story of BoxleyWarren will be told in a theatrical guided tour from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, June 15, when you can meet some of the characters from the area’s rich past. Walking shoes recom- mended. More details are on the news page of the parish council website.
Uncertainty over whether resi- dents will come forward to lead or be part of a steering orworking group.
Further information on what an
NDP is can be found on the MBC website and
atwww.locality.org.uk and
www.planninghelp.org.uk/ planning-explained/neighbour- hood-planning/neighbourhood- development-plans. The websites of other parishes
which are in the process of produc- ing NDPs are
www.broomfiel-
dandkingswoodpc.kentparishes.go
v.uk and
www.staplehurstvil-
lage.org.uk. To gauge the interest of residents,
please send any comments you have to the parish council. Email
clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk or write to the address above before June 26.
Projects to mark WWI
THE parish council has been con- sidering ideas for projects to mark the outbreak of theWorldWar I. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed to produce a leaflet for dis- tribution to schools and to install a commemorative plaque near the war memorial in Boxley village. The leaflet will provide infor- mation on the war memorial and those whose names are inscribed on it. It will be produced in part- nership with a resident who has volunteered to undertake the nec- essary investigation. The parish council has agreed
the following wording for the plaque: “Your endeavour and sac- rifice is not forgotten. To com- memorate the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War 1914- 1918.”
Planning ahead, councillors also decided that two trees – an Eng- lish oak and a (German) linden – should be planted in Grove Green. If well-established in four years’
time, they could then be used to mark the end of hostilities on 11/11/1918.
Maidstone East June 2014 37
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