downsmail.co.uk Gypsy family can stay on land


A GYPSY family will be allowed to stay on a site in Willow Lane, Queen Street, near Paddock Wood to the frustration of neighbours. Tim Ornellas had complained re- peatedly to Maidstone Council after the Smith family moved onto land near his home, building sta- bles and utility blocks without planning permission. Despite the council issuing stop notices and refusing planning con- sent for the unlawful development, Michelle Smith and her family stayed put. Now, an inspector has granted permission for the change of use,


which means the Smiths can stay, together with their horses. The fact Maidstone still does not


have an adopted local plan played a large part in inspector Peter Rose’s decision. He said: “The absence of a cur-


rently adopted local plan policy specifically addressing the accom- modation needs of gypsies and travellers, the previously identified shortfall in deliverable sites, the ab- sence of a relatively up-to-date as- sessment of accommodation needs and of land availability, the appar- ent lack of other currently available sites and the inherent challenges of


identifying and developing such sites, all weigh significantly in favour of the scheme.” Five family members appeared


at a recent hearing: Ms Smith, Levy Smith, Levy Ripley Smith and Gareth and Michelle Till, all of whom have been living on the site. Borough councillors Steve McLoughlin and Brian Mortimer spoke against the application, along with residents Maggie Drummond and Chris Lloyd. Mr Ornellaswas out of the coun-


try, but submitted written evi- dence to the hearing. The development allows for four


MPto stand down at May election


MP SIR Hugh Robertson has said he will not stand in the upcoming General Election – citing his age as a reason for leaving politics. The Conservative, who left his


role as a foreign office minister in July, has represented Faversham and Mid Kent since 2001. He was sports minister during the London Olympics in 2012. Sir Hugh (52), who spent more than 10 years in the Army before


entering politics, told the Downs Mail: “With five-year parliaments and my age, this is the last realistic chance to have another career be- fore I get too old.” He added: “I hope to continue to


play some role in broader public life, probably in sport or foreign re- lations, and have a bit more time in Kent, including at the St Lawrence cricket ground in Canterbury.” When he first stood in 2001, the


seat was a Labour target, but in 2010 his majority topped 17,000. So far, Labour’s Michael Desmond, UKIP’s Peter Edwards- Daem and the Green Party’s Tim Valentine have said they will stand for the seat in the General Election on May 7. As for the Tory candidacy, Sir


Hugh said: “I was selected from 300 applicants and I suspect a simi- larly large field will apply this time.”


static and four touring caravans at any one time and the family must provide landscaping and planting in accordance with an agreed schedule. Mr Rose said he also had to take


into account the European Con- vention on Human Rights and that if Ms Smith lost her appeal, she and her family would be evicted from the site and lose their home. Neither the inspector nor Maid-


stone council believed the scheme was inappropriate in relation to the neighbouring oast houses, a grade II listed farmhouse, a working farm and Victorian cottages.


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