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Community places value on pub with a difference


MAIDSTONE Council has still not decided the future of the Old Plantation Inn in Bearsted – three months after the last pint was pulled. A group of residents failed in


their bid to get the Grade II listed pub declared an ‘asset of commu- nity value’ and Heritage Designer Homes submitted an application to Maidstone Borough Council to replace the pub with three four- bed detached houses. The original application was modified after the conservation of- ficer expressed concern at the scale and size of the design. However, he is now satisfied with the plans, with the exception of a large first- floor gable window, which he would like to see reduced in size. But local residents, who gath-


ered a petition of more than 600 names objecting to the closure of the pub, are still living in hope the pub could get a reprieve. Sue Nutting, who lives opposite


the pub, said: “Many of us living nearbywant to see the pub remain as a pub – as do people in other


The pub dates from 1560 and, in


her letter of objection, Mrs Nutting writes: “The Old Plantation Inn is a quiet, local which has a totally different atmosphere to all of the other pubs in Bearsted. There are no televisions, fruit machines or loud music. It is very much an old- style community pub. “The owners… want change of


use because they can make more money by building houses there.” The pub has been boarded up


Future still uncertain for village’s Old Plantation Inn


parts of Bearsted.” The location and name of the


pub originate from its early days as a beer house and blacksmiths, at the heart of Kent cobnut and vegetable plantations, which even- tually gaveway to orchards.


since the beginning of March, with no sign of a decision on its future being imminent. Anti-closure campaigner Steve Coomber, of Willington Street, said the pub had always been a popular “drinker’s pub”, attract- ing everyone from builders to bar- risters. He believes a number of people would be happy to take on the challenge of turning around the pub’s fortunes. Sally Stuart, who lives in Bearsted Park, said: “This is all about money – not about the needs and wishes of the local com- munity”.


Cyclists puingwalkers at risk


THE use of a popular footpath on the Grove Green estate by cyclists and motorbikes has come under fire from residents. One homeowner from Fizwilliam Road – where the path meets Camomile Drive – told councillors that the problem of speeding cycles is putting pedes- trians at risk. She added: “We are becoming increasingly concerned that the path is being used by motorcy- clists and bikes as a rat-run. Riders do not dismount and on a number of occasions this behaviour has been a danger to pedestrians. There are a number of elderly and young children for whom this is


PALM Developments has made another attempt to build 89 houses on land east of Gleaming Wood Drive in Lordswood. Maidstone Council refused a similar proposal a year ago for being “an incongruous and out of character incursion of built devel- opment into adjoining undevel- oped countryside”. The revised planning applica-


particularly dangerous. We our- selves have young grandchildren and are naturally concerned for their safety.” The problem was aired at a meeting of Thurnham Parish Council, which does not cover the area, but which offered its backing for measures to be taken, such as fitting a staggered barrier. Also at the meeting was Maid-


stone Cllr Nick de Wiggondene, who agreed to take up the matter with county councillor Jenny Whittle and Boxley Parish Council – the parish in which the path lays. The homeowner also reported


that pranksterswere adding to the problem by leaving Tesco trolleys


in Camomile Drive and using them to create obstructions. She added: “We have reported


these incidents to the police and have spoken to the duty manager at Tesco, but we understand there is limited CCTV coverage and the store’s security personnel finish at 10pm. “We have no intention of getting


the path closed, as it is very popu- lar, and would notwant to make it difficult for those with pushchairs and wheelchairs, but something should be done.” She said footpaths in other parts


of the estate and elsewhere in the village already benefited from footpath barriers.


Harrietsham’s new parish council: back row, left to right: Stephen Mor- ris, MikeWilliams, Colin Przytupa and Kenny Kay; front row, left to right: Trevor Allwood, Glenda Dean, Paul Milton, Amanda Chinnery and Gary Trussler


MEMBERS of Hard (Harrietsham Against Reckless Development) have gained control of the village parish council. All nine candidateswere elected, alongside existing members Tom and Janetta Sams, in the May 7 elec- tion, following a groundswell of public support. Hard was set up to oppose the borough council’s planned in- creases in new housing in the vil- lage, some of which had the support of the previous incum- bents.


Trevor Allwood, who polled the


most votes in the election, was elected chairman of the parish council, with Kenny Kay vice- chairman. Cllr Allwood said:“We recognise


that we have a huge responsibil- ity to Harrietsham’s electorate to be a parish council that truly works for the benefit of everyone in our village. “We have a clear mandate from villagers to implement our pre- election promises in three key areas – the neighbourhood plan and sus- tainable development issues; open, clear and transparent communica- tions with villagers; and financial responsibility (minimised precept increases and value for money).” Itwas standing room only for the


first meeting of the new council, with 45 members of the public in attendance. Matters discussed in- cluded recalling the neighbour- hood plan for urgent amendments and communicating with KCC about the shortage of school places.


Revised Lordswood homes plan About-turn on supported housing Asupporting statement said that


only one vehicular accesswas now proposed off Gleaming Wood Drive, with an emergency-only access offWestfield Sole Road. A host of objections had been lodged. One said: “This new hous- ing development would exten- sively increase the traffic volumes on the Lordswood roundabout. “Although the developer says


tion includes open space and a bio- mass plant. A 15m-wide buffer would separate the scheme from Reeds Croft Woodland. Traffic calming would be introduced.


54 Maidstone East June 2015


the impact on the woods would be minimal, this would still severely impact the enjoyment the ancient woodlands offers to local resi- dents.” The council will decide.


A PROPOSAL for a supported housing scheme for up to six people in Sandling has been withdrawn after a host of objections. Meadowview Care applied to convert a home at 8 Tollgate Way for


those with learning disabilities ormental health problems.An application form said: “Adults with learning disabilities should be given an oppor- tunity to live in the community just as any people without these chal- lenges. “Any persons with disabilities should not be discriminated against.” However, many local residents wrote to Maidstone Council to object.


One letter said: “We are a small residential area on a no-through road, where children are safe to play on the streets. “Placing a housing scheme for people with mental health problems


could potential endanger these children and others alike, as these people tend to be unpredictable and can be violent and erratic.We also do not want the extra traffic that will be involved, again making the quiet streets more dangerous.” The applicant later pulled the application.


downsmail.co.uk


Public support goes to Hard


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