News
downsmail.co.uk Outrage over ‘the bogs’ homes
RESIDENTS affected by the bor- ough council’s decision to grant planning permission for the de- velopment of Lilk Meadow, Bearsted, have submitted a for- mal complaint to its chief execu- tive, Alison Broom. The Bearsted and Thurnham So-
ciety is supporting the submission about the way the planning com- mitteewas briefed and theway its meeting was conducted – and it- self is raising a number of concerns because of the implications of the decision for future applications. The society, which was just one
of numerous opponents to hous- ing being built on the area known locally as ‘the bogs’,was appalled by the planning committee’s deci- sion to approve it – and by the way the meetingwas conducted. Mary Richards, society secre-
tary, said: “It was disgraceful. There is no other word for it.” Society representatives have
been following the process of the planning application for more than two years and she said: “The decision is barking mad”. Thurnham Parish Cllr Michael
Stark said: “It irks me that coun- cillors voted to take this site out of the draft local plan and then voted in favour of this application.”
Pennies tots are getting the very best of care
Local Cllr Val Springett de- scribed the planning officers’ re- port to committee as ”inaccurate” and “incomplete”. She said: “It was biased and missed out all the negatives while including lots of the positives.” However, the scheme is far from
being home and dry. The plan- ning consent is subject to the council being satisfied with the maintenance scheme for the whole site – and that has yet to be drawn up. The scheme for Lilk Meadow in-
cludes an ‘ecology park’ and any developer has to provide suffi- cient funds for the maintenance of the park during its first 10 years. But residents will be expected to
pay a management charge for the lifetime of the scheme covering the maintenance of roads and street lighting, as well as the ac- cess bridge over Lilk stream and the drainage – something Cllr Springett described as “an unlim- ited financial liability”. Southern Water has said it is critical that there is a robust and
sustainable maintenance scheme in place for the site’s drainage, be- cause of its history of flooding and the cost of this alone could be quite substantial, according to Cllr Springett. Because part of the scheme is for affordable housing, the mainte- nance liability could fall on just 30 of the proposed properties, which would almost certainly need to take out insurance against the risk of being hit by a massive repair bill in the event of, for example, the collapse of the access bridge.
Pennies Day Nursery among the best in class
A BEARSTED nursery has won an award for being the eighth most recommended nursery in the South East. Pennies Day Nursery, in Hockers Lane, came eighth
out of 1,791 nurseries and the top 10 all received awards from the leading guide to day nurseries, daynurs-
eries.co.uk. The awardwas based on recommendations from the children’s families and carers. TrudiMayes, manager of Pennies, said: “This achieve-
ment is fantastic. We value our children and parents’ views and it is great to be rated so highly. The staff work so hard to provide awarm, caring and fun environment.” Davina Ludlow, director of
daynurseries.co.uk, said:
“The first five years of a child’s life are vital in shaping the adult they will become, which is why we recognise those nurseries that are playing such an important part in their lives.”
Artificial Grass Sale
Richmond 35mm was £14.99 M2
NOW £11.99 M2
Spring Meadow Last remaining stock
To Clear £6.99 M2 was £10.99 M2
Lily 35mm was £13.99 M2
NOW £11.19 M2
Laurus 40mm was £18.99 M2
NOW £15.19 M2 FREE SAMPLES
DELIVERY* over £299 spend
FREE
01732 362332 OPEN 01622 677787 9.00-5.30pm
32 Maidstone East June 2015
www.carpetnextday.co.uk www.flooring4letts.co.uk www.grassnextday.co.uk
MILLWOOD COURT, TOVIL HILL, TOVIL, MAIDSTONE, ME15 6QS MON - SAT
Landlords Developers Letting Agents Trade Discounts Call for details
Find us on
Pine Valley 42mm was £24.99 M2
NOW £19.99 M2
FULL ROLL DISCOUNTS
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 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56