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East Malling Parish Council Rocks Farm, East Malling Parish councillors have met on site the agent on behalf of East Malling Research Station, who are seeking to build five houses on the site of the barn and bungalow at Rocks Farm. The scheme would include a new private access road off The Rocks Road and a landscaping belt is proposed along the southern boundary of the site. The agent has also consulted nearby residents and a planning application is imminent. It is understood KCC has indicated it would not object to the development on highway grounds.
Winterfield Farm barn
The borough council has decided that after government changes to the planning rules, permission would not be needed to change the use of the barn to a dwelling. Marlowe Road Green, Larkfield The parish council has applied to KCC to register this green as a village green to give it long-term protection from development including any proposals from future parish councils. A decision was awaited. Douglas Rabjohn Following the recent death of long-standing Mill Street resident Douglas Rabjohn, the parish council has indicated it would be agreeable to a seat being placed in his memory on an East Malling open space subject to siting. Besides teaching in the local school, Mr Rabjohn was a former member of the parish council in the 1960s.
Step Stile Estate woodland strip
The parish council has asked the borough council to clear up the woodland strip between New Road and Step Stile estate to remove litter and rubbish. Some years ago the borough council replaced an informal path through the strip with a surfaced one which was used on the recent parish walk and the state of the
Life-saving network A network of defibrillators is being established to
cover West Malling and a similar scheme is being offered in East Malling.
The life-saving equipment delivers an electric charge to restore a heart beat to someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
The first machine, sponsored by Malling Lions, was installed last year in the unused red telephone box outside the Five Pointed Star in High Street, West Malling. Others have now been agreed, with proposed sites at the village hall in Norman Road, the baptist church and St Mary’s Church. KCC Cllr Trudy Dean is providing 50% of the finance from her member’s fund, with other funding coming from local churches and organisations, on condition they are provided where they can be accessed by the public. With West Malling covered, a similar arrangement is being offered to East Malling.
The defibrillators are in locked cabinets, with the location and access code provided by the telephone operator on receipt of a 999 call. Anyone can use it as the machine measures the life signs of the patient and issues verbal instructions throughout.
Work is forging ahead on the project at Clare Lake in East Malling to restore the water quality, flora and fauna.
The project group received a total of £30,000 just before Christmas from Groundwork Trust and the Environment Agency which has enabled the improvement to begin. KCC Cllr Trudy Dean who chairs the group, arranged for funding for a study of the lake two years ago by the Medway valley Countryside Partnership. This resulted in a four year action plan to improve the
land was seen by the walkers. Open spaces survey
The parish has replied to a borough survey updating the information about playing fields and green spaces in the parish. It was pointed out the "country park" at East Malling Heath adjoining Kings Hill should be included and that consideration should be given to registering Carnation Crescent green as a village green.
Country park pipeline
The new water pipe being laid across the country park from New Hythe Lane to Snodland is now under way and this affects some of the paths in the park. The work is being carried out for South East Water. East Malling Stream
As part of the local plan review the parish has asked about showing the valley from Springhead down to the railway line as a local site of importance for nature. The stream is recognised for its water voles which are a protected species. The area is within a conservation area because of its buildings and appearance but councillors feel its wildlife value also needs recognition. Bus service number 76
It is understood this service, which is paid for by funds from local developers, which runs at peak times between New Hythe and West Malling stations, may soon cease as the money will run out. It is only lightly used and while the bus company agreed to divert it onto New Hythe Lane and New Road, East Malling to serve local schools, it did not pursue the offer. Dog fouling Following complaints, notices have been put up in Larkfield playing fields about the need to pick up after dogs have fouled the land. A dog bin to replace one that used to exist has been ordered.
Clare Lake funding boost water quality and wildlife habitats.
The scheme had been held up by the huge cost of removing a deep layer of silt which caused the water to be very shallow. The removal of a large number of carp was successfully completed by students from Hadlow College’s fisheries department to allow native species of fish to flourish. The project will also include the creation of reed beds, margins and floating islands.
The lake is off Clare Lane and within the grounds and ownership of The Malling School.
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