downsmail.co.uk Floodwalls ‘may have to go’
RESIDENTS on the flood plain around Marden and Yalding who are building walls around their homes could be asked to take them down. Several homeowners hit by last
winter’s floods are creating theirown flood defences by building brick walls around their garden, Yalding Parish Council heard. But depending on the height and proximity to the road, such walls could require planning permission – and owners of listed buildings will definitely need planning consent be- fore they can legitimately build a sur- roundingwall. The matter came to light at a meet-
ing ofYalding Parish Council, where itwas revealed that the Environment Agency has a policy of opposing any such development in the absence of a flood risk assessment. The parish council agrees with the agency, which says any construction could have a possible impact on neighbouring properties. Asreported in last month’sDowns
Mail, RichardandSueParkeswant to build a wall two feet high and nine inches thick around their home,New Barns in Mill Lane, and have had to apply for listed building consent. Yalding Parish council chairman Geraldine Brown said the owners of Chestnut Tree in Benover Road had
also hoped to build a wall, but the parish council advised against it be- cause therewas no flood risk assess- ment in place. James Bailey, Maidstone Council’s
development manager, said that minor operations – the erection, con- struction, maintenance, improve- ment or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure – were permitted under the General Permitted Development Order 1995. However, therewere restrictions as
to the heightandproximity to a road. “In the case of development within
the curtilage of, or to a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure sur- rounding a listed building, planning
Sycamores likeweeds, says councillor
A MAIDSTONE councillor was shocked to discover council officers wanted to protect a sycamore tree in Loose because he thought theywere consideredweeds. Cllr Mike Hogg was one of only
two members of the planning com- mittee to vote against a proposal to place a tree protection order on a mature sycamore in the garden of 1 Honeysuckle Mews, Loose Green.A planning officer recommended its
retention after a conservation area application to crown lift and reduce the tree by 30%. Cllr Hogg said: “I am amazed we
want a TPO on a sycamore because the parks and open spaces depart- ment says they are likeweeds.” An officer report said the sycamoremadea valuable contribu- tion to the character of the area. Aneighbour at Greystones in Old Loose Hill, objected to the TPO, say-
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Maidstone South December 2014 21
ing: “The tree hangs over our garden by around six metres. In autumnwe get huge amounts of leaves and sycamore flyers. It causes the hard surfaces to become slippery.” But Cllr Tony Harwood, a mem-
ber of the committee, said: “If we overturned everyTPObecause trees have leaves then we would be in trouble.” Eight members voted in favour of the TPO, twowere against and therewas one abstention.
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permission will be required,” he said. Parish CllrAndy Saunders said he thought no development was al- lowed on a flood plain without plan- ning permission. He said: “Someone could easily be innocently building a garden wall, without planning per- mission or the approval of the Envi- ronmentAgency – they are springing up everywhere along Benover Road.” Aspokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We are keen to en- courage people to take action to pro- tect their homes.However, they must demonstrate they won't increase the risk of flooding to others. We can provide guidance to residents.”
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