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Key cloning theory as gangs target certain cars
OWNERS of Land Rovers and Range Rovers are being advised to be on their guard following a spate of thefts in the village. Police believe thieves have dis-
Firework night
THE rains held off for another fabu- lous firework display on the Eliza- beth Harvie field. The event was a real team effort
and the parish council wants to thank Pheonix Fireworks, the Rotary Club of Maidstone for their sterling stewarding, the British Red Cross, Bearsted Scouts, Hire Station Maid- stone, MJ Fire Extinguishers and the Bearsted Woodland Trust – as well as all thosewhocame along to enjoy the event. The finale was particularly spec- tacular, with plenty of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the crowd. Sarah Taylor said: “We all had a
great time. It is so lovely to see the streets lined with families walking together through the village. We have been going each year for 10 years now and they never disap- point.Well done!” Resident Russell Hart said: “Thanks to all the teamwhoput this community event together, I am sure it takes a great deal of time and effort, much appreciated by us all.”
Market clash
PLANS for a Christmas market on Bearsted Green have had to be scrapped due to a clash of dates. The parish council was hoping to
hold a festive market in November, but the date clashed with Thurnham School’s event. The parish council is now looking
at making the December 20 farmers’ market a more festive affair. Chair Fiona Redman said: “We are learn- ing the need to plan ahead and hope to do the Christmas market bigger next year.”
covered a way of cloning keys or fobs in order to steal the vehicles without causing any damage. Two vehicles were stolen last month – one from Aviemore Gar- dens and one from The Landway. On another occasion, thieves smashed the window of a car parked in Church Lane and stole valuables which had been left on display. There was also a theft from a car parked in St Faith’s
Court. PCSO Timon
Gurr told the parish council: “A number of Land Rovers and Range Rovers have been taken re- cently, without
causing damage or leaving any- thing at the scene. “We think the thieves may have
cloned the keys or the fobs.” Residents are also advised to be
extra vigilant in the weeks up to Christmas, when the number of burglaries tends to rise. Don’t leave Christmas presents
where they can be seen – either at home or in the car – where they might be a source of temptation to would-be thieves and make sure sheds and outbuildings are kept secure and locked, aswell as doors and windows in the home.
Opposition to homes plans Plan to shape
THE parish council has objected to housing development at both Barty Farm and the Bearsted Sta- tion old goods yard. Maidstone Council has allo-
cated both sites in its draft local plan – aswell as listing Woodcut Farm as suitable for business de- velopment. The parish council is diametri-
cally opposed to all three schemes, arguing the highways and schools infrastructure can- not cope with further develop- ment, but these were not valid reasons for refusing planning
consent, members were told at their meeting. Although Network Rail still
uses the goods yard, it could ac- commodate 40 apartments. The application for 100 houses
at Barty Farm was withdrawn from Maidstone’s planning com- mittee’s agenda on November 12 but is expected to resurface soon. Bearsted planning committee chairman Graham Farrow said: “Maidstone Council’s view is very different to ours. They be- lieve all of these schemes are necessary.”
Home improvent for over 60s
OLDER and disabled people living in Bearsted might be entitled to help keeping their homeswarm this winter. Home improvement agency Family Mosaic has received funding to en-
able those over 60 who are in receipt of income-related benefits or dis- ability allowances, or suffering from long-term illness, to make their properties more energy efficient and easier to keep warm. Grants of up to £500 are available under itsWarm at Home programme
for anything from draught-proofing to boiler replacement. Family Mosaic will assess eligibility and make arrangements for the
work to be carried out by its own in-house team or external contractors – there is no need for residents to obtain their own workmen. Contact Family Mosaic on Freephone 0800 028 3172 for more details.
RESIDENTS in Bearsted are to bene- fit froman unexpectedwindfall. Maid- stone Council has been chasing up outstanding S106 contributions – the money contributed by developers to community schemes – and found £6,663 is owing to the village follow- ing the development at St Faith’s Lane.
Developers’ money to be used to replace lights Themoney has to be spent by April
2016, so the parish council will proba- bly put it towards the replacement of the lights on Church Landway. Maidstone Council has been ap-
proached for planning permission to replace the vandalised lights and it is hoped work will start early in the new year.
This page is sponsored and edited by:
Bearsted Parish Council
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
24 Maidstone East December 2015
village future THE parish council’s neighbour- hood plan is now in progress and residents are invited to join the council to help complete it. The plan will focus on all aspects
of life in Bearsted, including man- aging development, green spaces, sports and leisure facilities and em- ployment and business opportuni- ties in the parish. The council estimates the process
It is taking longer than expected to replace the lights, because the parish council has chosen to improve the specification of the lighting to prevent future vandalism,which means it has to obtain planning permission before the work can go ahead. Parish coun- cil chair Fiona Redman said: “It is short-term pain for long-term gain.”
will take up to one year to com- plete, after which the completed plan is put to a community referen- dum, and if agreed, legally comes into force. There are financial benefits for adopting a neighbourhood plan, as areas with adopted plans are di- rectly entitled to 25% of any funds contributed by development in the area via the Community Infrastruc- ture Levy (CIL). For more details of what a neigh- bourhood development plan is and what it could mean for Bearsted, go to
www.planningportal.gov.uk/in- yourarea/neighbourhood. However, time is short, as the council wants to hold a meeting in January 2016 to start the process. To get involved, go to the parish council’s website, contact Cllr Paul Young or email bpcneighbour-
hoodplan@gmail.com.
Festive greetings
AS this is the last council page in the Downs Mail before Christmas, the parish council would like to wish everyone in the village a happy, healthy and joyous Christ- mas and a prosperous New Year.
Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:
01622 630165 Chairman:
clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Fiona Redman
MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30PM) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERY WELCOME
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