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‘Toothless’ vote allows housing


HOUSING is to be built in Loose on a site rejected by Maidstone Council. Beggar’s Roost inWell Streetwas declared unsuitable for housing in the council’s draft local plan – but its planning committee has now given the green light to four new homes. Cllr Sue Grigg (Lib Dem), who opposed the development, called the committee “toothless”. She said: “This should have been thrown out. Instead, almost half the members abstained because they were frightened of it going to ap- peal. This should be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ committee – if you don’t have the courage of your convictions to vote, you shouldn’t be on it.” Loose pumping station is already unable to cope with surface water, with some homes reporting sewage in their gardens. Yet Southern Water, along with the Environment Agency and KCC, the highways au- thority, raised no objections. Cllr Tony Harwood proposed ac- cepting the application from Coun- try House Developments, fronted


Barming


Pavilion Peter Goochwas gradually completing the decorating around his own work commitments and the hire schedule. Hewas extremely angry and disappointed that dirty footprints had appeared on the freshly decoratedwalls and felt that people should be more respectful of the premises. All hirers would be spoken to and a notice would be displayed. The clerk would contact the cleaning company to make sure that the binswere emptied every Monday. Wayside cross plaque The clerk had received quotes from Maidstone Signs for £297.50 plus VAT and from Mick the Sign Writer for £350 to £450. The Maidstone Signs quotewas accepted. Annual meeting The annual parish meeting was being held onWednesday, April 29 and would incorporate the official re-opening of the pavilion. The clerk would contact hirers and some local groups to ask them to send in a brief report. All hirers and anyone who donated to the pavilion would be invited. Prime Building would be invited as guest speaker to report on the pavilion refurbishment. The annual meeting of the council would be at 7pm on May 13, followed by the ordinary parish council meeting. BudgetA2%rise in the preceptwas agreed at the last meeting. The clerk highlighted amendments to figures within the budget headings and reported it balanced out to be a 1.94% increase whichwas ratified. Planning Regarding an application for the barn Hoppers Field, Tonbridge Road, Barming, Cllr Bryan Vizzard stated that the change of use on this land should have been sought first and said if the development went ahead, the access needed to be correct


by Guy Osborne, for four three- storey semi-detached houses. Because of the council's lack of a


five-year land supply therewere no policy grounds to support a refusal, he said. Cllr Grigg said: “At least he [Cllr Harwood] had the guts to say what he felt – but who knows what will happen at an appeal? If we don’t have the courage to fight, we may aswell not be here.” Helen Mulholland, who lives


near the site, said the proposal would lead to a loss of privacy for her family. She said: “The land stands 30 inches above our house. Add to that the height of the houses and we will be dwarfed and over- shadowed by what will feel like a four-storey block of flats.” She said the narrow access roads


would be unable to accommodate increased traffic – a view shared by Cllr Mike Hogg, a member of the committee – and called for the land to be retained as a buffer for the Loose Valley Conservation Area. Five members voted in favour, twowere against and six abstained.


Knifeman ‘took two women for protection’


A MAN from Park Wood who armed himself with a kitchen knife before attempting to locate and confront a group of people in Maidstone has been jailed for 18 months. Lee Ball also persuaded two women to act as his back-up and carry other knives and a baseball bat during a dis- pute last year.


On July 20, 2014, police were


called to Station Road following reports of a disturbance. Ball (38), of Wrangleden Road,


was arrested for affray and for possession of a knife. Mary-Ann Andrews (32), of


Acorn Place, Park Wood and Nichola Bumstead (36), ofWallis Avenue, Park Woodwere also ar- rested after they concealed fur- ther knives at the request of Ball. Ball claimed he had been head- ing to Brenchley Gardens to look


for safety reasons. Cllr Manser felt that the development should be kept for holiday homes as previously intended, not as a full residential property. Therewas general concern of a creeping house development with other agricultural buildings. Barming Parish Council wouldwant appropriate screening for this development to keep the local environment as it is. North StreetAsite meeting regarding Bell Farm, North Street, had been aended by MPHelen Grant. She had been pleased that so many residentswere able to aend when she visited Barming.Aresident had sent Mrs Grant details of the Barming Green Fields Group’s concerns and she had forwarded these to Rob Jarman, head of planning at Maidstone Council; and Eric Pickles, communities and local government Secretary. Mrs Grant stressed her opposition to further developments in this area. Buses Cllr Vizzard reported on a meeting with Norman Kemp of Nu Venture regarding the number 78 bus service at 7.51am. The number 88 from Downswood to the town centre is subsidised but does not seem to aract many customers, whereas the number 78 is used by about 45 children and five adults. Mr Kempwas going to find out if the subsidy could be moved, therefore saving the service. Wet floor Complaints had been received that the floor at the parish hallwas being leftwet by the cleaners on a Monday. People aending the fitness classeswere having to mop the floor before starting their session. The clerk would contact the cleaning company. Thanks Cllr Greenwood thanked Ben Fleck for the wonderful job thatwas done by him and his voluntary team on the clearance of leaves and mulch behind the parish hall. He


for a man who owed him money and who was part of a large group. He said he had asked the women to carry knives and ac- company him for his protection. Andrews claimed she had not


been carrying any knives, but CCTV images showed she was lying. Bumstead told police itwas her belief that Ball might have killed someone. Ball, who pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing a bladed article in a public place. Bumstead andAndrews admit-


ted the same charges and were both sentenced to six months, suspended for 12 months. Detective Constable Amy Ezzi


said: “This occurred in an area where there would have been families, children and shoppers passing by. Ball put into place plans that would have enabled him to have an assortment of knives at his disposal should the need arise.”


also thanked Peter Gooch for all the hard work that he continues to do for the parish council, whichwas greatly appreciated.


Loose


Grit bin Funding for a new grit bin had been agreed by KCC Cllr Eric Hotson from his member’s grant for the section between Linton Road and the Loose Nursing Home, subject to a site check. Crime The clerk would obtain crime figures which had not been provided since November 2014. Fete The events commieewas trying to obtain funds in advance of the fete.Ward and Partnerswas prepared to offer sponsorship by erecting boards, which look like For Sale boards, on properties to advertise the event.Aminimum of 20 peoplewere needed to agree to have these. Older people The older people’s mapping exercisewas discussed and itwas suggested that members look into this maer further to see if any serviceswere provided for people aged 65 or over in the parish. Itwas also suggested that communitywarden Liz Lova may be able to help with information. Equipment The caretakerwas not happy to visually check the new play area/exercise equipment as he did not feel qualified to do so. The clerk pointed out itwas not in his job specification to do this task. The insurer stipulated that the check should be done regularly. After further discussion Cllr Malcolm Summers said he would look at the equipment every 10 days. Further discussion would take place. Painting Quoteswere being obtained for the painting of all the bins and treatment of benches throughout the parish.


Maidstone Town May 2015 51


Parish Councils


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