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Sponsored parish council | News Boxley Parish Mail


CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline BowderyASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU


Tel: 01634 861237 email: clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained fromthe parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website Representing


community THE parish council continues to work hard to ensure that the appro- priate authorities and agencies are made aware of the needs and con- cerns of residents. In responding to a recent gov-


ernment consultation on the Na- tional Planning Policy Framework it recommended, amongst other things, prioritising the use of brownfield over greenfield sites, protecting affordable housing, con- verting empty commercial build- ings for residential use and the need to address the traffic and infra- structure issues caused by whole- sale development. The parish council also recently responded to a KCC consultation on the best use of the mobile library service and will shortly be answer- ing consultations on the Maidstone Local Plan and the Lower Thames Crossing Route. The briefing papers on these con- sultations will be included on the agenda for the environment com- mittee meeting on March 14.


Hospital plan


THE parish council’s environment committee recently received a pres- entation on a proposed 65-bed hos- pital at Zone 10, Kent Medical Campus. This meetingwas held at St John’s School, Grove Green, for the con- venience of residents, who were able to ask questions. After considering such matters as parking, light pollution, building layout, impact on wildlife and land- scaping, committee members agreed to inform Maidstone Coun- cil that they did not wish to object to the application.


Warren work


ARECENT task day saw Friends of Boxley Warren members working to enhance the area for wildlife. There is still concern about secu-


rity, with entry being forced yet again and quad bikes being seen on the site. Chairman Bob Hinder has taken up the issue with the Maid- stone Joint Transport Board and with KCC cabinet member Matthew Balfour. New volunteers to work on this


Site of Special Scientific Interest will be verywelcome.


26 Maidstone East March 2016


Your chance to play a role in the community


ALL 15 parish council seats are up for election on May 5, 2016 but candidates must lodge their nomi- nation papers at the Maidstone Council offices between March 22 and April 7. This could be your chance to join


the council. Information on who can stand


and what to do next can be obtained from the parish council’swebsite or from its office. Alternatively, poten- tial candidates can visit the Elec- toral Commission website, www.electoralcommission.org.uk. A useful leaflet,We Need You, is


available on the parish councilweb- site or from the office. This gives de- tails of such things as what a parish


councillor does and how much time or work is expected from them. Current councillors and the


parish clerk are also willing to talk to prospective members. Chairman Ivor Davies said: “I


want to encourage any interested resident to stand for election. The parish council is non-political and its strength comes from having councillors with many diverse views and experiences. “Being a parish councillor is re-


warding, satisfying and can make a real difference to your local com- munity.” The parish council runs the Beechen Community Hall and maintains open spaces and play


Keeping quad bikes out


THE Walderslade Woodlands Group has installed a barrier to stop quad bikes from entering the woods from SherwoodAvenue. As quad bikes damage the foot-


paths and endanger walkers, the public are asked to report occur- rences to the police on 101 and also the parish office. During their February task day


the volunteers also worked on areas of the wood behind Marlow Copse and cleared the paths lead-


ing down to Coal Bottom. The group, which receives fund-


ing from the parish council, plans to buy signs for the flat areas of Round Wood to help people iden- tify exactly where they are. The dedicated band of volunteers


has monthly, and occasional Friday task days to undertake path clear- ing, small scale coppicing, creation of wildlife habitats etc. New volunteers are always wel-


come. Extending the right of appeal


AT present, when a planning application is refused by Maidstone Council, it is only the applicant, who might be a big development com- pany, who can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The parish council and many local residents feel this situation is demonstrably unfair. An online petition has now been set up nation- ally asking the Government to extend the right of appeal, in the inter- est of justice, to parish councils. Further details can be found at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/110489, which residents are invited to sign if they wish. Extending the right of appeal would clearly help level the playing


field for communities.However, as the time and financial implications are not clear, the parish council will need to consider the issue.


Grant boost for nature reserve THE trustees of Vinters Valley Nature Reserve have many plans and fundraising ideas and have secured a lottery grant fromAwards For All. This money, along with a parish council grant, will allow paths to be repaired and enhanced and also for a tractor-operated flailer to be pur- chased. The parish council has agreed to pay for repairs to the trust’s tractor to be repaired and serviced.


Verge vandals THIS picture shows the almost complete destruction of a grass verge by one or two residents re- peatedly parking on it. It will now have to be reinstated at the ex- pense of taxpayers. Is this fair?


Parking action


AS KCC Highways funding for yellow lines to stop incon- siderate and dangerous park- ing at junctions on Provender Way was not available, KCC Cllr Paul Carter will be asked for financial support.


areas at Weavering Diamond Ju- bilee Orchard, BoxleyVillage Green and Impton Lane; Dove Hill Allot- ments; thewar memorial; and seats, shelters and litter bins. It also works with the appropri-


ate authorities on highway mainte- nance and crime prevention and assists local volunteer organisations such as Weavering, Grove Green and Sandling village halls, local conservation groups, Scouts and schools. But this is only part of its work; as


the third tier of local government it is frequently consulted on local is- sues. It is therefore important that local people make local decisions. You could be part of that.


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