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Scheme ‘could be hub of village’
RESIDENTS supporting a devel- opment of 114 homes believe it may unify Harrietsham. Maidstone Council’s planning committee granted consent to de- velop a reinstated greenfield site on the former Channel Tunnel Rail Link depot south of the A20 Ash- ford Road. Cllr Janetta Sams felt the inclusion
of a 365sqm shop as well as a stor- age building for the parish council and allotments would help to create a hub for the village, which is dis- sected by the A20. She said: “In the neighbourhood
plan residents expressed the need to give our split village a heart. This application should be allowed to go ahead as long as road improve- ments are made to the A20.” These were to narrow the road
and create a30mphzone close to the development and to extend the 40mph speed limit along the A20. KCC agreed these would be com- pleted before the schemewas occu- pied, and a planning conditionwas added to ensure this. However, a strong objection was
raised by campaign group Harriet- sham Against Reckless Develop- ment. Representative Ken Kay said: “The shop will be on the south side of the A20, when the vast majority of residents live on the north side. “The existing shop will almost certainly close because it would not be able to compete, so most of Har- rietsham’s residents will have to
cross the A20. The scheme is too dense, too urban and should not be considered until road safety issues have been resolved. “The parish council’s neighbour-
hood plan earmarks this site for 70 homes, the application is for 113 and the parish council has written in support. Confused? So arewe.” Cllr Mike Hogg, amember of the planning committee, said: “Harriet- shamused to be a village, but isnow becoming like Faversham. It will eventually become a town. There is far too much development taking place. “I have also got concerns about
the parish council. Oneminute they want 70 homes, the next they want 114. It makesmewonder if residents have any confidence in this parish council.” Cllr Eddie Powell, a local ward member, also raised concerns about flooding. However, the committee was compelled to grant planning per- mission because the council lacks a five-year land supply and itwas felt the scheme could not therefore be defended at an appeal. The decision means that in the
past three years more than 325 homes have been given permission in Harrietsham, and further appli- cations have been lodged. Cllr Tony Harwood, amember of
the committee, said:“We are seeing the character of Harrietsham change almost within the blink of an eye.”
Restaurant may become home
THE Souffle restaurant has closed after about 35 years at Bearsted Green. Owners Nick and Karen Evenden took over the 16th-century restaurant
in 1998. It was established by Sue Dunderdale having previously been a sweet shop and then a dress shop. The Evendens want to convert the restaurant into a single home while
retaining the existing space to the rear. The Souffle To You outside catering company will continue to operate fromthe rear, should Maid- stone Council grant planning per- mission. A supporting statement said: “The owners and occupiers now wish to slow their lives down slightly and re- tain their successful catering busi- ness but convert the property back to residential use for their own oc- cupation. “The proposal is to restore the
front of the property back to resi- dential and take the opportunity to modernise the building in respect of services and current day expecta- tions for residential premises.” A letter was sent to customers, explaining that the restaurant had been
closed with immediate effect to concentrate “on the expansion and de- velopment of Souffle to You and enable us to offer a more personal, high quality service across a much broader range of special events and func- tions, seven days a week.We would like to thank all former patrons”.
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