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News Woodland homes plan agreed


A PLANNING inspector has decreed that more housing can be built off Hermitage Lane, Maidstone – despite the potential damage to historic woodland. Residents in Allington, together


with their local councillors who battled against the possible de- struction of Bluebell Wood, are dis- mayed at the decision by a planning inspector. TheNewAllington Action Group (NAAG) was delighted when both Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling councils refused planning permission for up to 500 homes plus a school and community cen- tre, proposed by developer Croudace.Achief cause of concern was the road designed to divide the development, which would cut through the ancient woodland. After the applicant appealed, In- spector Paul Clark admitted that “in the worst case scenario” the scheme would result in the direct loss of part of Bluebell Wood, a des-


the Fallen REMEMBRANCE services were due to take place in Malling to ho- nour those who lost their lives dur- ing two world wars and other conflicts. In West Malling, a procession


was to take place on Remembrance Sunday, November 8, following a route along the High Street to St Mary’s Church, with the mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Owen Baldock taking the salute by the pump. The church service was to be followed by the laying of wreaths at the war memorial out- side. In Snodland, deputy mayor Cllr


Mark Rhodeswas to attend the Re- membrance Day events. The pa- rade from Holmesdale Technology College to Snodland cemetery was to be followed by a service, and then a further procession to the town council’s headquarters at the Devonshire Rooms in Waghorn Road. Cllr Baldock said: “It is an hon-


our to play a part in remembering those who gave their lives in two worldwars and in more recent con- flicts. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten and I hope everyone will join me in honouring these brave men and women.” A joint Remembrance Sunday


event was due to be hosted by St Gabriel’s, Kings Hill and the Kings Hill Christian Fellowship, with a parade from the Control Tower and an outdoor service at the Running Airman memorial at Gibson Drive.


Formore local news www.downsmail.co.uk


ignated ancient woodland, and that this was contrary to the current Maidstone Council Local Plan. However, he believed the loss


would be outweighed by the “sig- nificant benefits” the scheme would bring. Bluebell Wood separates two


fields which Croudacewants to de- velop and the inspector said a road through the wood would result in the loss of only 1.8% of the desig- nated area. A letter by Julian Pitt, on behalf


of communities secretary Greg Clark, said: “Although the small loss of ancient woodland would technically infringe the require- ments of the adopted local plan…the ecological effects would be acceptable. “The social and economic bene-


fits of the housing would be very significant. The effect of develop- ment on landscape character would be acceptable and there would be a positive overall environmental bal- ance.”


Although Maidstone Council has allocated the northern section of the proposed site for housing in its draft local plan, it had hoped the woodland and southern sections would remain public open space Residents had also fought their campaign on the issues of extra traffic, road safety and air quality but the inspector said he found no evidence to support this. However, he did impose 21 con- ditions on the permission, one of which is that Croudace must meet the cost of improvements to Junc- tion 5 of the M20.


Cllr Tony Harwood said: “The residents are genuinely shell- shocked and distressed at this in- comprehensible decision. “It is now depressingly clear that Secretary of State, Greg Clark, is continuing at Bluebell Wood a tra- dition started by his predecessor, Eric Pickles when he rubber- stamped the destruction of 78 acres of irreplaceable ancient woodland at nearby Oaken Wood, Barming. “Thiswas not an either/or choice;


we could have delivered the new housing alongside the protection of our priceless ancient woodland heritage.” Fellow LibDemCllr JamesWillis


said: “Bluebell Wood is a beautiful oasis and has been enjoyed by many. This scheme will decimate the linear nature of the wood.”


Remembering Florist’s team scoops national award


WEST Malling Flowers has been named UK Retail Florist of the Year. The High Street outlet’s owner


Nikki Meader received the award from the British Florist Association at a gala night at the NEC in Birmingham. Nikki said: “We always attend the


trade fair, but this year we thought we would give the dinner amiss and grab a curry instead.” But when a BFA judge enthused


about her attending the dinner, alarm bells started ringing. The girls at the shop closed early


and raced an evening dress to the event so that Nikki could attend. She said: “When they announced


we’d won, the girls, who’d been listening at the door, came running in to join the celebration. “It’s fantastic to be recognised


by the industry, especially because it is an award that recognises the whole retail operation and all the girls, not just the owner.” DownsMail reporter Dawn


Kingsford visited the shop to meet


Above: Downs Mail reporter Dawn


Kingsford (centre) with budding florists atWest Malling Flowers’


arranging workshop and right, the team with their award in Birmingham


the team and to learn how to create an autumn arrangement at an enjoyable and creative class led by the shop’s Heidi Lawley – a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal


winner. For details of demonstrations and workshops, which run throughout the year, visit www.westmalling flowers.co.uk.


Parish council opposes caravan storage plan A previous application by Mrs


AHAYfield at East Malling could be used to store more than 100 caravans if planning permission is granted by Tonbridge and Malling Council. Applicant Sylvia Stevens, who


lives next to the proposed site at Hillberry Farm,Wateringbury Road, says it has proved difficult to sell the hay produced on the land and she still has 50% of last year’s crop in storage. She told the borough council that


with housing growth in the area, in- cluding Kings Hill, itwas noticeable


that storage facilities were in de- mand with most local sites already full and withwaiting lists. The 0.7 hectare plot could provide


bays for 102 caravans in four rows and would be hidden from Water- ingbury Road by an existing sweet chestnut copse and would have “discreet” CCTV cameras at the en- trance. A fence of steel posts and rails would be screened by new hedge planting.With no hardstand- ings or buildings, it would be easy to return the site to agriculture.


Stevens for a similar scheme on a wider area of 1.77 hectares was re- fused earlier this year when the bor- ough council ruled that the open storage of caravans, associated fenc- ing and CCTV cameras would be detrimental to the rural character of the area. Having strongly objected to the


earlier plan, East Malling and Lark- field Parish Council, said the latest application was a resubmission which it still opposed.


Malling November 2015 27


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