News
downsmail.co.uk Ann apologises aer C4 exposé
KENT Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes has apologised after her appearance in a fly- on-the-wall C4 documentary left her, Kent police officers and staff red-faced. But the £85,000 a year commis-
The panel said it believed the ex-
sioner has vowed to stay in her job, despite claims her participation in the programme had made the force “a laughing stock”. The Kent Police and Crime Panel
was forced to consider the future of the commissioner after Mrs Barnes appeared on prime-time TV in what she thoughtwould be a reve- lation to the people about her role. In the event, it left many thinking
the commissioner looked inept and foolish – and Kent Police claiming its reputation had been damaged. Mrs Barnes, who was featured painting her nails, taking her dogs towork and struggling to come up with a job description for her role, apologised to the panel when she was hauled before it to explain. Asecond blow, within days of the screening, came with the revelation that Mrs Barnes’ recently-app- ointed youth commissioner, Kerry Boyd, had been suspended follow-
posé had damaged the reputation of the Kent PCC, PCCs nationally, and the reputation of Kent Police and asked the commissioner to report back on her plans to repair the damage. Mrs Barnes has also been asked
to reassess her style in dealing with the police force and the public and to be more co-operative in her deal- ings with the panel from now on. In a statement, Mrs Barnes said:
Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes, pictured at a roadshow
ing allegations she had been con- ducting a relationship with a 50- year-old married man. The 20-year-old London 2012 torchbearer was given the role in March after her predecessor Paris Brown resigned over offensive comments she made on Twitter.
Blooming good day at Loddington Farm
SUNSHINE and beautiful blooms combined to make a perfect ‘plot’ for Blooming Green’s open day. More than 200 visitors thronged
the site at Loddington Farm, Linton, to gather pick-your-own seasonal flowers. Alliums, delphiniums and roses
were amongs dozens of varieties in bloom. Local goodies were also on offer from the Musket Brewery and Linton Chocolates with flower-ar- ranging demonstrations taking place throughout the day. This year Blooming Green is rais-
ing money for Dandelion Time in West Farleigh and collected £350
A PROPOSAL for 15 new homes on a greenfield site in Langley has been turned down. Maidstone Council felt Dawe
Capital’s outline planning applica- tion for land north of Horseshoes Lane would have protruded into the
from cream teas alone at the open day.
The plot is open for pick-your-
own flowers every Friday from noon during July and the next open day is on September 6, 2014.
Fifteen homes refused in Langley
countryside and increased traffic movements in an unsustainable loc- ation. A decision notice also raised fears about the impact on pro- tected species and said there was a lack of a legal agreement to secure much needed affordable housing.
Permission for pub conversion
PLANNING permission was granted to demolish The Wild Duck pub in Pagehurst Road, Staplehurst. In October 2011, Maidstone
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk 24 Maidstone South July 2014
Council granted planning permis- sion for Alter Image Property to convert the pub, which has been closed since 2010, into two homes. The latest scheme, which was
given the go-ahead by Maidstone Council, sees the existing building grounded and replaced with two detached four-bedroom houses.
Miss Boydwas suspended from her role. In considering the impact of C4’s
“Meet the Commissioner”, the panel agreed with Mrs Barnes, who said the decision to participate in the documentary was an “error of judgment”.
Farmer wants to
stay in caravan JOHN Smith has been given per- mission to remain living in a cara- van at Croft Cottage, Claygate Road, Laddingford. A planning application was ac- cepted by Maidstone Council, which lodged an enforcement no- tice against his occupation in the caravan. Mr Smith has lived in a caravan on the site since 1981, ac- cording to his supporting state- ment. “During which time he has farmed his 5.6 hectares agricultural holding,” it added. “He proposes to continue to farm the holding.” The council ordered the removal
of the caravan as soon as Mr Smith is no longer living there.
COMMUNITY-minded villager Robin Fuller is Boughton Monchelsea’s Parishioner of the Year. Mr Fuller (72), from Lockham Farm Avenue, was awarded the title and presented with a framed photograph of Boughton Green at the village’s annual parish meeting. “It was an absolute honour to be named parishioner of the year for 2014,” he told the Downs Mail. The award was in recognition of his time as a parish councillor, in- cluding a term as chairman; his work to create and fund a flood plan for the area, as well as his many other community roles.
“Iwould like to offer an apology to the hardworking men andwomen of Kent Police. I know some of them are upset about the docu- mentary. “The only reason I agreed to do
the documentary was to help people better understand the role of police and crime commissioner. It is very complex and there are lots of challenges. “Unfortunately I don’t think the programme did that.”
Houses and nursery
WEALDEN Homes wants to replace a day nursery with 10 terraced houses in Headcorn. The proposal would see the Old
School House Day Nursery in Sta- tion Approach make way for one three-bed and nine two-bed homes next to Orchard Glade. The developer wants to remove
several trees on the southern boun- dary and two protected oak trees within the site. Wealden Homes says this is necessary to make the scheme viable to finance a new nursery to the rear of The Hard- wicks in Grigg Lane. Further land- caping is proposed in mitigation. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application.
Community champion named
Mr Fuller was project manager for the Scout group’s headquarters, which opened in 2009, and he is now the group chairman. He is also events co-ordinator for Boughton Monchelsea’s fete, which was resur- rected in 2012. This year’s event – on
June 14 – involved a huge amount of planning, including finding a battle re-enactment group to mark the anniversary of the D-Day Land- ings and the centenary of the onset of World War I.
Robin is also a regular member of the village’s community speed- watch team and neighbourhood watch.
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