News


downsmail.co.uk Status bid to preserve shops


AN IMPRESSIVE argument for the preservation of Bearsted’s historic parade of shops by The Green has been submitted to Historic England (formerly English Heritage).


Determined to protect the three


shops and Victorian canopy from demolition, the Bearsted and Thurnham Society has been busy compiling a dossier to submit to the preservation chiefs, seeking urgent grade II listing. Property owner Evenden Estates


Ltd caused an uproar among resi- dents when it submitted an appli- cation, at the end of last year, to demolish the shops and replace them with purpose-built premises, with accommodation above. Not only would the village lose architecture of historical signifi- cance, but also potentially long- standing and much-loved businesses, residents claimed. Evenden withdrew its applica-


tion following the furore, but is be- lieved to be still working on a compromise solution. In the meantime, the B&T Society


has been working with local histo- rians and architects to draw up the dossier, which has been submitted both as a bound copy and online. The group has focused on two


Opposition to


caravan plan LANGLEY Parish Council has ob- jected to a planning application for an extra 76 caravans at Rumwood Green Farm in Sutton Road. Planning permission is restricted


to 59 caravans but applicant G Charlton and Sonswants to increase this to 135 to accommodate foreign workers who pick fruit in 120 hectares of the farm. An access to New Road would also be created. The parish council believes the


scale of development is excessive and unsustainable in the open coun- tryside. It said: “Due to the sheer number of caravans and people on site, and the reliance on the car, it will result in an excessive amount of traffic leaving via New Road which is a single lane road, poorly-lit and has no pavement.” The number of workers employed


and living on the farm peaks to 1,000 inAugust and September. While most of the workers are em-


ployed during the main agricultural season from April to December, a number of staff are retained during the winter to work in the packhouse, maintain the farm and erect and maintain polytunnels. Since 2013 the workforce has expanded from 240 to 400 for the winter period. Asupporting statement said: “The


development is necessary for the purposes of the agricultural busi- ness. ”


Maidstone Council will decide. 30 Maidstone East July 2015


main issues – the parade being a rare survivor of purpose-built colonnaded village shops and its important contribution to the Bearsted Green Conservation Area. Society members trawled far and


wide to find another similar exam- ple and could only find the colon- nade at Hawkhurst, which is already grade II listed. The report to Historic England


states: “Village shops were nor- mally contained within converted dwelling houses and had simple frontages.Apurpose built range of shops of this era outside a metrop- olis is rare. “With its pleasing and distinctive


architecture ... The Parade lies at the historic core of Bearsted and forms an integral part of the Bearsted Green Conservation Area. “It makes a major contribution to


the appearance, distinctiveness and vitality of the historic heart of the village, Bearsted’s sense of place and its shared community identity. “Listing will ensure the retention


of a building that contributes im- portantly to the quality of Bearsted’s built environment, its economy, history and heritage. “It will enable The Parade to con-


tinue serving the needs of the com- munity whilst having its special interest preserved for future gener-


Stars leadway for cyclists


CYCLISTS in Maidstone’s Mote Park have been seeing stars! The National Cycle Networks were set up by Sustrans and this year cel-


ebrate their 20th anniversary. To mark the event, Sus-


trans Rangers Gary Outram and Jean FitzGerald used chalk spray to stencil the park’s route. The traffic-free section


winds through the 182 hectares of Mote Park, re- cently voted Britain’s second most favourite park. Sustrans’ Sarah Deakin


said: “2015 is an important year for Sustrans, marking the 20th anniversary of the National Cycle Network. “To celebrate, we wanted


to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the people who helped us develop it, to the thousands of volunteers who work to maintain it, and the millions of people who enjoy it every day.”


“The fantastic eye-catch-


ing stencils are designed to be a fun, temporary way to let everyone know about the 20th anniversary of the Na- tional Cycle Network an- niversary and will really brighten up the path. “We had a lot of fun doing different designs – I think users of the park


will love them.” Being chalk, the designs are only temporary and will wash away follow-


ing a few good British summer downpours but in the meantime, cyclists are enjoying the impromptu art attack as they pedal through the park.


ations, for the conservation area and the village as a whole. “The Parade has withstood two


world wars, numerous recessions and a fire to become a rare survivor of purpose-built colonnaded vil- lage shops. “It has become deeply embedded


in the village’s history and heritage and critical to Bearsted’s vitality, distinctiveness and sense of pride and place. In short, it is an impor- tant part of what makes Bearsted special.” Society treasurer Roger Vidler


said: “We are hugely indebted to one of our members whose knowl- edge of architecture has made an enormous difference to the detail we have been able to supply.” The application for designation


as a heritage asset has the support of former MP for Maidstone Ann Widdecombe, and the former MP for Mid Kent Sir Hugh Robertson, as well as the leader of KCC Paul Carter and ward and county coun- cillors for both Bearsted and Thurn- ham.


Tributes to


vicar’s wife TRIBUTES have been paid to Jan Fry, the wife of Hollingbourne’s for- mer vicar Nigel Fry, following her funeral at Lenham church. Jan, who friends described as a “traditional vicar’s wife”, had lived in Hollingbourne with her husband- for 12 years. Shewas 77. She also took charge of the Chris-


tian Aid collection in the village and organised numerous social events. Carole Findlay, from Holling- bourne, said: “Shewas a real leader socially, providing huge support to her husband and the village and en- tering in to the true spirit of being a vicar’s wife and an important mem- ber of the community.” Shewas noted for making the vic-


arage a welcoming place and was a regularmemberof the congregation. See Obituaries, page 44.


Barns blaze FIREFIGHTERS were called to the scene of a blaze affecting two barns containing hay and machinery in Hollingbourne. Four fire appliances and a water


unit attended the scene, in Musket Lane. It was an hour before the fire in one of the barns was brought under control and crews fought through the early hours to extin- guish the blaze in the second barn. The cause of the fire was not known.


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