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Map reveals sites for possible development


MORE than 200 sites for possible construction have been identified in Tonbridge and Malling Council’s progress towards its local plan.


The plan will shape the future de-


velopment of the borough over the next 15 years. The call-for-sites list, which opened in April 2014, ranges from strategic sites such as Bushey Wood betweenAylesford and Eccles to rel- atively modest ones. The council’s online map outlines


several large sites in the Aylesford, East Malling and Larkfield areas such as Aylesford Quarry, the for- mer Aylesford Newsprint land in Bellingham Way; East Malling Re- search and SheldonWay, Larkfield. Relatively smaller areas include Barfield House, in Teston Road, Offham; Paddlesworh Road Green and Mill Fields Farm, both Snod- land.


In Trottiscliffe, Trosley Farm in Addington Lane has been proposed, and there are also potential sites at Bunyards Farm, Allington and land off Oakapple Lane, Barming. The council has completed its call


for sites – an exercise that calls for anyone to suggest areas that they think may be suitable for develop- ment for new homes, employment and other uses. The Government asked all local authorities to identify areas which have the potential to sustain housing or employment growth. Tonbridge and Malling has been given an ob- jectively-assessed target. The online map generated so


muchinterest that the council’sweb- site page crashed for several hours.


From left: Jogvan Hanson and son, Gavin Lewis, Craig


Lewis and Hanus Hanson


Taking fish to the Faroes


AN AWARD-winning fish and chip shop has been serving up its traditional fare to shoals of new customers in the Faroe Islands. Brothers Gavin and Craig Lewis, who are chefs at Papa’s Barn in London Road, Ditton, travelled to the harbour town of Klaksvik for the Fisherman’s Festival. The pair headed a team of eight, serving up fish and chips to thousands of customers. Their temporary shop was due to close at 4pm but the demand was so great that they


3


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Just because a site is listed does not


mean that it will be allocated for de- velopment. However, Tonbridge and Malling Green Party has called for the council to prioritise brown- field sites, as it feels the process “will almost certainly increase the pres- sure on valuable green space”. He added: “Local infrastructure, including transport, schools and water services cannot accommodate development on the scale envisaged by this Government.” Green Party members said several


sites on the list were unsuitable for development and should be auto- matically dismissed, including green space on the edge ofWest Malling. Howard Porter, who was


Green Party parliamentary 5 Bee and Q store


THE Larkfield branch of B&Q had to close its garden section for a day when a swarm of bees landed in a hanging basket.


Members of the Mid Kent Bee- keepers’ Association went to the DIY store in London Road to put up a temporary hive and the bees were relocated to an apiary. The section was closed from 9am but re-opened the next day, offer- ing discounts on flowers to affected customers.


September 2015 No. 221 News Jim says goodbye


A LOCAL parish priest has given his final service, in East Malling, after being in charge for 14 years.


A PLAN to replace a care home with a larger complex has been criticised.


Harvest festival


CLIMATE change has caused next year’s Kent Show to be held a week earlier.


Death mars event


TRIBUTES were paid to a triath- lete who drowned during a challenge in Leybourne.10


Art stalls in town


A NEW market in town will contain 80 stall.


23 Goods sent to France


A LOCAL pub has helped refugees in Calais. 25


Obituaries


Parish Councils Comment


46-47 28-29


29 42-43


THE departure of a PCSO, mole traps and picnic benches were all causing concern in Addington; bus services to Aylesford were being improved; a new pharmacy application was to be submitted in Leybourne, where there were reports of discourteous driving; a cream tea event in Mereworth was cancelled due to bad weather; a phone box was being adopted in Offham, where newts had been spotted; new lights and a carpet were agreed for the cemetery chapel in Snodland.


Crime Reports 43


MEDICAL equipment was stolen from a vehicle in Larkfield; three bicycles were taken from a gar- den in Kings Hill.


8 3


Care scheme concern 6


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