East January 2015

News | Sponsored parish council

downsmail.co.uk

Homes plan ‘based on misleading information’

THE parish council has unanimously opposed a plan to build more hous-

ing in Bearsted at Lilk Meadow. The council held a planning meet-

School fears

PARENT Sandra Knatchbull said local schools were unable to pro- vide spaces for new housing devel- opments within Bearsted. Between 2009 and 2014, 341

children failed to obtain their first choice at Thurnham infant school, Madginford infant/junior school and St John’s (Grove Green). A further 271 failed to secure

their second and third choices, with parents facing lengthy journeys to other schools, some as far as Cran- brook and New Ash Green. Children who failed to obtain a

place at any of their nominated schools were primarily allocated places at St Paul’s (63), BellWood (42), Park Way (32), Loose (32), East Borough (24), Molehill Copse (20) and Senacre (16). Others were sent to New Ash

Green, Cranbrook, Coxheath, East Farleigh, Kingswood, Harrietsham, Sutton Valence and Allington.

ing to discuss a proposal by Country House Developments to put 50 houses on land south of Cross Keys. There was a big turnout from the Protect Bearsted group and other residents concerned about flood risk, overcrowding of schools and in- creased traffic. Resident Malcolm Kersey said the

developer’s design and access state- ment was “riddled with inaccura- cies” and said: “It is clear that the developer is trying to create a pic- ture of a ‘sustainable’ development that is based on misleading infor- mation. “There aremanydistances quoted

to village facilities and further afield. None of them bear any resemblance to reality. “It suggests that the post office on Bearsted Green is within walking distance. It closed down in Novem- ber 2004. It gives the distance to the post office at Madginford shops. There has never been a post office at Madginford shops.” Mr Kersey pointed out that the traffic countswere outdated – some

data going back to 1999 – and said: “The data is based on housing de- velopments that are almost entirely unlike that proposed for Bearsted. The traffic predictions for the Cross Keys junction with The Street are therefore not to be trusted.” Roger Vidler from the Bearsted

and Thurnham Society reminded members there had been several similar applications for the same site – in 1982, 1986 and in 2011 – all of which had been refused on conser- vation and environmental grounds. One resident, who had lived in Mallings Drive for more than 30 years, said therewas repeated flood- ing on the estate, with several homes suffering from subsidence as a re- sult. With a reduced capacity for soak

away, as this is a flood plain, this problem was sure to get far worse, he said. Matt Trott asked: “How can a

flood risk assessment be taken seri- ously when its core measurements to work out the water table were taken over a short period in the warmest month of thewarmest year

on record?” Mr Trott reminded members of

last winter’s devastating floods and said: “There was one consistent theme in the papers and the TV – why do we keep building on flood plains? “Why are we not learning from

these experiences?” Planning committee chairman Cllr

Denis Spooner said the development would have “a terrible effect on the countryside and on Sutton Street, the oldest street in the village”. Cllr Helen Cuming said: “I…fear

for Bearsted’s future if this develop- ment is approved,” while Cllr Geoff Licence said: “The design is not sup- porting the local character and beauty…the proposal is off the shelf and putting an urban estate into a rural area.” There are already more than 50 comments regarding the application on the council’s website and a four- page letter of objection from KCC which states it too has “significant concerns with the development”. The parish council is now writing a strong letter of objection to MBC.

Community volunteers’ hard work recognised

FIVE stalwarts of the Bearsted and Thurnham community received Mynn Awards at the December meeting of the parish council. The awards, named after Bearsted’s cricketing hero Alfred Mynn, are presented annually to peoplewhohave given outstanding service to their community. This year’s recipients were Chris

Street, membership secretary for Bearsted Woodland Trust, and Woodland Trust volunteer David Ward; Julian Scannell, vice presi- dent of Bearsted Football Club, lay preacher and Friday Club organiser Madeline Stroud and parish coun- cillor and Madginford Hall secre- tary and building manager Les Ethridge. Chris has been membership sec-

retary of BWT since 2008. The trust has 1,187 family members and 487 life members. She was involved with the Lot-

tery Fund People’s Million’ bid, which led to the trust receiving a

Parish council chairman Richard Ash (far right) with the award winners

grant of more than £80,000. Shewas a prime mover in the design and construction of the Manning Maze in 2009.

Bernard Head, who nominated

her, wrote: “Her enthusiasm and hard work for the BWT within the local community are some of the reasons the trust has flourished.” DavidWard has lived in Bearsted

for more than 40 years and has been a maintenance volunteer and team leader since retiring from a career in engineering. He arranges the man- ufacture and placement of spon-

This page is sponsored and edited by:

Bearsted Parish Council www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk

24 Maidstone East January 2015

sored benches and checks the trees weekly for signs of distress. Nominator John Wale said: “David epitomises the ethos of Bearsted Woodland Trust – to cre- ate something, make sure it is planned properly and then work on it carefully for the benefit of others.” Julian Scannell has been fixture secretary for Bearsted FC for more than 25 years. Michael Anthony, who nominated him, said: “Julian has demonstrated his skill in mak- ing the playing arrangements.Todo it year after year is phenomenal.”

Madeleine Stroud has run the Fri-

day Club for more than 30 years, of- fering a lifeline to many of the village’s elderly and housebound. The group meets each month

when members are collected by car and taken to parishioners’ homes for tea. She also visits nursing homes and people in their homes, giving Holy Communion to those unable to get to church. CarolineNaylor,whonominated

her, said: “Madeleine is a very mod- est, reliable and calm personwhois always helping other people. She is a generous hostess and has held summer and Christmas gatherings at her own expense.” Roger Vidler, who nominated

Cllr Ethridge for almost 30 years of unpaid service to the village hall, said: “He has dedicated his heart and soul to this building.” Cllr Ethridge has also set up a neighbourhoodwatch scheme. “He cares passionately about is- sues, people and public service.”

Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:

01622 630165 Chairman:

clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Richard Ash

MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30PM) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERY WELCOME

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