downsmail.co.uk
News
Gypsies’ bid to stay on land with horses fails
Picture by AirAffair, Skydive Headcorn
Jamie takes to the skies
KENT air ambulance press officer Jamie Cheshire celebrated his birth- day with a tandem parachute jump at Headcorn Airfield. The father-of-two was joined by
staff from Howard Cundey char- tered surveyors and estate agents, which has made the service its charity of the year. They hope their leap will raise £3,000 for the heli- copter emergency service, which relies almost entirely on public do- nations. Jamie (36) said: “In December,we launched our night-flying opera- tion, whichwe estimate will benefit a further 400 to 500 patients a year. “This means we now have to
raise an extra £1m a year, up to £6m, so fundraising events such as this are even more vital.” Sponsor Jamie at www.justgiv-
ing.com/Jamie-Cheshire1.
A FAMILY who moved to Kent from a gypsy site in Surrey have once again been refused planning permission to stay. Michelle Smith had hoped Maid-
stone Council would agree to her retrospective application for change of use of the site, now known asWillow Gardens, inWil- low Lane, near Yalding, for mixed use of gypsy residential accommo- dation and the keeping of horses, together with stables and utility blocks. The Smith family came to Kent
from the Fosterdown Gypsy Site in Caterham, when it closed, after Michelle Smith bought the land at Lindfield Farm in Willow Lane in March 2012. They set up home the following month and say the site is close to other family members and gives them access to healthcare, medical services and schooling. Local residents complained to the council that work was taking place on the site, giving the impression the familywas setting up an illegal traveller site and, following site vis-
its, the council issued an enforce- ment notice in May 2012. However, the Smiths appealed against the decision and lodged a revised planning application. The council has argued the de-
velopment – which includes three timber buildings, stabling, caravans and car parking – will cause harm to the character and appearance of
the countryside. When the original enforcement
notice was issued, there were six touring caravans on the land. The council says the site was largely unspoilt before the family arrived and the development is vi- sually intrusive and “introduces features that are out of character with the rural location”.
Flood plain plan agreed
AGYPSY has been allowed to live with his family in Collier Street after undertaking work to prevent flooding on the site. The Environment Agency ini-
tially objected to Mr M. Hearn’s proposal to site a static caravan and touring caravan at Cherry Gardens because the land is on a flood plain. It was said to have been left underwater in the 2000 floods. But after the applicant said he
would raise the level of the land the EA said the land would be a “safe refuge” and withdrew its ob- jection.
Local borough Cllr Annabelle Blackmore said: “Surely we have a duty of care to our residents, espe- cially as the road has been closed due to the current floods.” She also claimed the caravans would “cause visual harm to the area”. Cllr Martin Cox, a member of the planning committee, said: “I am sure the father in the family would consider the flooding factors be- fore putting his considerable-sized family at risk. I am sure has a 4x4 to get out in the event of a flood.” Permission was granted, with voting 10 to one in favour.
Maidstone South June 2014
7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48