News


downsmail.co.uk Gypsy site rules strengthened


NEW planning rules designed to protect areas from unauthorised traveller encampments could prove useful in Maidstone.


The national reforms, which


came in to force on September 1, follow a four-fold increase in unau- thorised sites between 2000 and 2009. The Department of Communities


and Local Government says the planning policy comes in a wider crackdown to enforce the same planning rules for everyone. Central to the changes is that any application for a permanent site, in- cluding caravan sites, by someone who does not travel will be consid- ered in the sameway as an applica- tion from the settled population – rather than being considered under policies relating to travellers. However, the policy also makes


clear the need for local councils to meet the requirement for sites for those who travel permanently.


Those councils without an up-to-


date five-year supply of caravan sites, which include Maidstone, will still be afforded some further protection for proposed sites that fall within Sites of Special Scientific Interest,Areas of Outstanding Nat- ural Beauty, National Parks and Green Belt. In addition, where councils were previously required to provide sites for people evicted from large- scale unauthorised encampments in their area, such as Dale Farm, this obligation will be removed. Maidstone Council’s planning committee chairman Cllr Clive Englishwelcomed the news, saying the traveller issue had been long- standing in the area and the current policy landscape “tilted in favour of accepting applications”.


However, he expressed some caution while the policy change is examined by planning officers. He said: “It does look as if it will


be more helpful than those policy changes set out by Eric Pickles when hewas Secretary of State that were expected to tackle the prob- lem, but turned out to be less than spectacularly different from the arrangements before. “On the face of it, this policy change looks as if it will be more useful in determining whether or not someone is actually a traveller when they submit their plan. “However, we will need to be


clear on the exact interpretation of the policy as itwill undoubtedly be tested at appeal or in the High Court.”


Regarding the unfinished bor-


ough list for traveller sites, cur- rently showing a shortfall of 45 pitches, he believes the redefinition of a traveller could have a signifi- cant impact and could even reduce the number of places the borough needs to find. Cllr English said: “There is


bound to be a lag while this policy is researched in detail and applied to fresh applications.” He said it would not be possible


to apply the policy retrospectively to applications that had gone through or which were halfway through the planning process. It would also not remove the require- ment for the borough to have des- ignated sites for true travellers. Maidstone andWealdMP Helen


Grant said: “Iwelcome these devel- opments.”


Liqueur producer taking the sloe lane


A MARDEN producer of sloe gin will be hoping to tickle the tasters’ tastebuds when she enters the Sloe Gin World Championships. Sloe Seduction won the gold


Music and more at town Mela GDF productions performing at the Maidstone Mela


THE Maidstone Mela returned to Mote Park for its 13th year, promoting the borough’s cultural diversity and local talent. The headline act was the Trenchtown Experience, an eight-piece band


dedicated to the music of reggae legend Bob Marley. Other acts included local Bulgarian Folk Dance group Kitka and Maidstone-based South Indian dance group, the Kerala Cul- tural Association. Mela volunteer of 12 years, Barm-


ing resident Dennis Edwards is pic- tured, right, receiving an award from MP Helen Grant to recognise the work he, and his late wife Sirpa, had undertaken for the community. Visitors enjoyed food from across


the globe, craft and clothing stalls, andwere able to find out about local charities and community groups. The eventwas organised by Cohe- sion Plus and Maidstone Council.


Sports clubs seeking leaders SPORTING volunteers are being sought for Maidstone Harriers, Weavering AFC, Maidstone Canoe Club, Staplehurst Cricket & Ten- nis Club, Allington Chestnuts, Maidstone Lacrosse, Barming Table Tennis Club and Maidstone United FC. To become a local leader visit joininuk.org/local-leader- application.


medal for South East England in last year’s awards, after winning a Taste of Kent award in 2013 for its sloe gin chocolates. The poor summer has provided


ideal growing conditions for sloes, the bitter fruit of the blackthorn bush. Foragers are now awaiting the first frost, after which the berries are traditionally harvested. Modern protagonists pick the sloes earlier and freeze them. But Sloe Seduction owner Katharine Hook is a believer of the traditional approach to sloe gin making and spends much of her time riding her off-road Suzuki motorcycle, checking the progress of the sloes. Katharine, from Spenny Lane, Marden, maintains the best time to drink sloe gin is the second Christ-


mas, when it has had more than a year to mature gracefully. She also chooses to use gin from


local Marden distillery Anno. Katharine said: “I never rush to


pick the berries and let them ma- ture naturally. Once picked, Iwash them gently then personally select the best sloes, before pricking to help infuse into the gin and sugar.” This is the 7th year of the annual


event that began at the George Inn, Frant, when pub locals began argu- ing over the perfect sloe gin recipe. Judging takes place on December


16 and entrants have until Decem- ber 10 to submit their samples. All proceeds of the event are do-


nated to theMSSociety. Further in- formation on entering the Sloe Gin World Championships is available at www.moondown.co.uk. Last year’s entrants came from


far and wide, with the Champion Artisan Sloe Ginster 2014 title being awarded to Edinburgh-based Demijohn.


School’s top ten accolade


SUTTON Valence School has been voted among the top 10% of education establishments in the country for providing “academic added value” to students. The league table, drawn up by Durham University Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, meas- ures pupil progress and reflects those exceeding expectations. At Sutton Valence, students gained results atA Level that out-


performed their predicted grade on joining the school by at least half a grade. Head Bruce Grindlay says the


result builds on the school’s per- formance over four years, during which time it has consistently im- proved its value-added results. “Dedicated and innovative teachers and well-motivated stu- dents work together, urging them to realise their potential.”


Maidstone South October 2015 17


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