downsmail.co.uk
Feelings mixed about scrapyard homes plan
THE largest single development in the history of Collier Street could be about to take place in Claygate. Developer Wealden Homes has applied to build 23 four-bedroom detached houses, six three-bedroom houses and two bungalows at Bentlett’s Farm in Claygate Road. The 1.9-hectare site, close to the junction with Jarmons Lane, is used by CMS Services as a heavy goods vehicle scrapyard, but it could now become an upmarket development with housing, garages and car barns to accommodate up to 106 vehicles, centred around a new pond. The site is not in a flood zone, but
is less than a mile from the River Teise and close to the areas of Collier Street and Laddingford that were badly hit by last winter’s flooding. WealdenHomessays the develop-
ment will not increase the flood risk in the area, but local opinions differ. Yalding Parish Council is con-
cerned it could exacerbate problems until improvements are made to the flood defences. Barbara Grandi, chairman of Col-
lier Street Parish Council, who lives next to the site, said: “Although this area is not officially in the flood zone,we have problems with excess surfacewater which fills the ditches that drain the site and then flood the roads outside our property. “Last Christmas, we were pump-
ing thewater away from our homes and out of the pond next door as it got close to entering the houses.” Originally a pig farm, Bentlett’s
Farm has been a breaker’s yard for more than 50 years. Mrs Grandi believes a small hous-
ing development would improve the area and introduce“newblood” into the village, butwas concerned by the size of the proposal. She said: “Originally the develop-
ers were going to build 25 houses and we understand this was in- creased to 31 after pre-application discussions with Maidstone Council. “This will increase the number of
cars leaving the development to be- tween 80 and 100 which is danger- ous for a rural location.” Speaking in a personal capacity,
Mrs Grandi said the scrap business created environmental pollution with noise, fires and putrid smells, aswell as oil andwaste pollution. She said: “The site has permission
to hold 1,000 vehicles for scrapping and we would prefer the relatively modest housing development.” Neighbour Jo Manser was like-
wise keen to see the scrapyard dis- mantled, but would want any housing development to be on a much smaller scale. While SouthernWater has not ob-
jected to the proposal, it has pointed out that any drainage system would have to be effectively managed. Graham Norton, of Wealden Homes, said housing would cause less harm than a car breaker’s yard. Another option would be for Maid- stone Council to allocate the brown- field site for a traveller or parkhome site, he said. The application is contrary to the adopted local plan and could affect a listed building – ThePest House – on the farm. The council willmakeade- cision on the application.
Winners of curry award 2010-11, 2011-12
Hannah is
Greens’ hope YOUTHworker Hannah Patton (20) is the Green Party’s parlia- mentary candidate for Maidstone and TheWeald. The former member of the Youth
Parliament for Maidstone said: “Young people have a lot to offer but the younger voter is under-rep- resented in Parliamentary discus- sions. I would like young people to have the same opportunities to en- gage with politics that I have had.” Her concerns include climate change and the need for a “be- spoke” education system. She said: “Government has been hell bent on trying to force pupils through a one- size fits all education system that leaves them disillusioned and ill-pre- pared for the future.”
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