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CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline BowderyASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU


Tel: 01634 861237 email: clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained fromthe parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website


Chairman reports on a busy year for council members


AS anyone who reads the minutes of our meetings (which are readily available on our website) will be aware, we have had another busy year, so this is only a summary. Firstly, I wish to thank Wendy Hinder, our environment committee chair, for the time and effort she spent resolving the illegal lorry- parking problem in Old Chatham Road. We shall now seek support from other parishes in persuading the Government to tackle what is a nation-wide problem. Meanwhile, Kent Highway Services has at last tackled the problem of overgrown vegetation in Walderslade and Lordswood after our representa- tions.


Much time has been spent on con- sidering planning applications. Where there was good cause and material considerations under plan- ning law we objected, mainly suc- cessfully. Applications that were allowed often bore mitigating condi- tions suggested by us. This brings me to Maidstone Council’s emerging local plan defin- ing,amongother things, the size and location of residential development throughout the borough for the next 15 years. In our contribution to con- sultations, we have been very con- scious of both the housing shortage within the parish and residents’ de- sire to avoid irreparable damage to a local environment which they cherish. However, although most develop-


ment is likely to be south or east of central Maidstone,we are not neces- sarily in the clear and even parts of the parish within the Kent Downs AONBmayno longer be sacrosanct. Outside theAONB,and following objections from the parish council and local residents, Maidstone Council has rejected developments adjoining ancient woodland in Lordswood and at the top of New Cut Road. However, as Maidstone Council does not yet have a defined local plan, these may be difficult to sustain at appeal. We have considered a possible


Boxley NeighbourhoodPlan. Asthis would have to be community-led,


Let’s go batty!


THE parish council is inviting you to come and check out the noc- turnal activities atWeavering Di- amond Jubilee Orchard. An expert will be on hand to


Andy Garland opens the Dove Hill allotments, and below, the warmemorial and BoxleyWarren


help you detect bats and also identify moths that will be active at your bedtime. The event is free, all ages are welcome but please wear sensible footwear and cloth- ing and bring a torch. Meet at Weavering Diamond


Jubilee Orchard on Tuesday, July 14 at 9pm. For more information contact Pippa Palmar on 01303 815170 or pippa.palmar@kent- downs.org.uk


Allotment to rent


A QUARTER-size allotment plot is now available to rent at the parish council’s Dove Hill Allot- ments. If you fancy home-grown veg-


we sought the views of residents. Al- thoughwell publicised, the response was very disappointing. In view of this apathy and after due delibera- tion, your council decided, for the present, against proceeding. The estates committee under Vic Davies’s chairmanship had another good year. Lettings of Beechen Hall were well up, as this is a splendid venue for meetings and family cele- brations. Melanie Fooks, who man- ages the hall, and her team of caretakers are to be congratulated. We are now consideringways to ex- tend the facilities. Elsewhere, the Weavering Dia-


mond Jubilee Orchard remains a source of enjoyment to residents while furtherwest, the Dove Hill al- lotments go from strength to strength, following a highly success- ful formal opening by BBC Radio Kent’sAndy Garland. In my previous report I paid trib-


ute to the sterling conservation work by Bob Hinder’s Friends of Boxley Warren volunteers. This praise I reit- erate – but sadly have to report that


following threats and physical as- sault by bikers illegally crossing the site, operations are suspended. This, coming on top of two thefts and demolition (twice) of the Lidsing Road gate, is disheartening for all concerned. On the financial front, the parish precept for 2015/16 is slightly higher than that for 2014/15 when Maid- stone council erroneously billed res- idents for almost 6% less than we asked for. However, Boxley’s pre- cept remains the second lowest in the borough. Last year, 2014, was when the


whole nation united in commemo- rating the centenary of the start of World War I. The parish council erected a plaque beside the Boxley war memorial recording that the fallen are not forgotten; planted two young trees in Grove Green which will commemorate in 2018 the end- ing of hostilities; and prepared a leaflet explaining the significance of the war memorial with brief details of those who fell. Incidentally, do visit our website


etables and haven’t a big enough garden then come and join a friendly community of like- minded people. The allotments are located in


Sandy Lane just south of Boxley Village. Further information can be


found on the parish council’s website or is available from the parish office.


or Facebook page. On both you will find details of our community alerts service in which subscribers receive news by email of matters of specific interest to their local area. In conclusion I wish to thank my


vice chairman, Pat Brooks, the com- mittee chairmen, their vice-chairmen (Bob Hinder and Paul Dengate) and all other councillors for their work this past year. Most importantly, I wish to thank Pauline Bowdery and her staff in the parish office, who achieve so much; and you, our resi- dents, for your continuing support. Let us continue to work together for a better Boxley.


Ivor Davies Maidstone East July 2015 37


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