News Call for help
to repair roof MARDEN Parish Council hopes that a developer will agree to help pay for the repair of the village's memorial hall roof. In August last year, Millwood Designer Homes was given plan- ning permission to build 85 homes at Stanley Farms in Plain Road. Developer contributions include money towards extensions at Mar- den Primary School, Marden Med- ical Practice and Maidstone Grammar School, as well as addi- tional books at Marden Library and improvements to the village rail- way station. However, the parish council felt repairing the roof of the hall should also be included. The planning committee agreed to defer a pro- posal to discharge developer con- tributions to enable Maidstone Council to ask the developer if it would undertake works to repair the roof. But James Bailey, development manager for Maidstone Council, warned: “I can put the question to the developer but repair of the roof is not supported by adopted or emerging policy. “If the developer is not prepared
to make this contribution then we will have to look at mechanisms outside the planning system in- stead.”
Villagers fight
for broadband EXASPERATED businesses and residents in East Farleigh are fight- ing to get better broadband speeds. There have been long-standing problems with the speed of the in- ternet connection in the village and residents had been promised fibre broadband this September. Now, they have been told it
won’t be upgraded until March next year. Sue Morris, who runs the East Farleigh Farmers’ Market and has been campaigning for better broad- band in the rural areas, said: “The delays have apparently been going on since 2014 andwe are fed up.” She has emailed householders, urging them to get in touch with broadband provider Open Reach by completing a simple survey and said: “The more people who send it the more chance we have of suc- cess.” The form is available to view at
https://www.formwize.com/run/su rvey3.cfm?idx=505d040e0b080d.
Car wash signs ANapplication has been submitted for signs advertising a hand car wash at Boughton Service Station, Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea.
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Fields protected from development by plan
TWO more pieces of land in Loose are to be protected in the council’s emerging local plan.
Lib Dem councillors for the area
fought to get the two fields either side of Cripple Street included by the strategic planning sustainability and transportation committee. Members reviewed a report showing six areas of local landscape proposed as Landscapes of Local Value (LLV) which included Loose Valley, Len Valley, Medway Valley, Greensand Ridge and the Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Cllr Brian Clark asked the com- mittee to consider the two fields
near Broadoak Avenue and West- ward Road for inclusion in the Loose Valley protected landscape. Cllr Derek Mortimer said: "My colleagues and I had been con- cerned that the fields in the valley alongside Busbridge Road and Stockett Lane were not included in the conservation area, sowe put for- ward a joint case for the unprotected areas of the valley. “We came to Tuesday's meeting having secured much of our pro- posal and tonightwe gained further
protection.” The fields are beyond the devel-
oped edge of Cripple Street, bor- dered by the footpath from Old Drive to Postley Road, and Cllr Clark said: “Development at this point would lead to significant harm to the LooseValley. Further to securing thewestern side of the val- ley, I amdelighted that the commit- tee took on board the points raised and endorsed inclusion of these Cripple Street fields in the Land- scape of Local Value.”
Revised plan for home extension approved
A REVAMPED proposal to extend a home in Sutton Valence has been accepted. In October last year, a planning
application to build side and rear ex- tensions at 2 Boyton Court Cot- tages, Boyton Court Road was refused because it would “visually overwhelm” a pair of semi-detached cottages. But a resubmitted planning appli-
cation, which included the demoli- tion of an outhouse, contained lower rear extensions “amended to a contemporary flat-roofed design”. Sutton Valence Parish Council
maintained its strong objection, claiming there was “no material dif- ference to what was turned down”. Cllr Barry Armstrong told the plan- ning committee: “The scale and de-
sign overwhelms and destroys the character of the original property. “This is detrimental to the quality
of life of the family living at No 1.” Sam Graves, the applicant, said:
“Both extensions are smaller than in the original application. “The comments [from the parish council] are over-protective and
MP joins parking bale
MAIDSTONE and TheWeald MP Helen Grant visited Staplehurst to highlight the problems caused for residents by drivers parking on the pavements. She joined residents and volunteers from the Leonard Cheshire dis-
ability home Sobell Lodge and parish councillor Peter Spearink in Staple- hurst High Street, waving banners, leafleting
cars
parked inconsider- ately and talking to passers-by. Helen said: “I
think drivers are un- aware of problems caused to pedestri- ans when they park on the pavement. The practice can force pedestrians into the road .” Campaign leaflets were prepared jointly with Sobell Lodge and
Helen hopes the publicity will help educate drivers to recognise the impact of their actions on pedestrians.
Maidstone South September 2015
over-zealous with regard to the rear extension, which is a simple single- storey.We have pulled the develop- ment away from the neighbour's property. “The development is needed sowe
can have a sustainable family home. We intend to make this a forever home for my family. We are having our second child in December and without planning permission we will outgrow the building with its low ceilings.” Cllr Tony Harwood said: “I just
can't see how this will cause any harm. The changes, particularly its roof, are the sort of design we en- courage.” The committee voted to accept
the proposal as well as a similar ap- plication.
Keepingwatch HUNTONWATCH membership has grown steadily to 124 house- holds with new members, includ- ing Hunton Engineering. With a larger network of co-ordi-
nators and members to cover the whole village, communication of incidents is very rapid. Huntonwatch is encouraging anyone who has not yet joined to do so. Call 01622 820403.
Storage scheme PLANNING permission was granted for a vehicle and plant stor- age building to be replaced by two detached homes inWest Farleigh. The proposal for Farleigh Green
Yard in Lower Road also included the conversion and extension of oast stowage and frontage garage buildings to provide two homes.
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