downsmail.co.uk Addington


Officers elected Cllr Stephen MacDonald- Gaywas elected as chairman and Cllr Annee Holmeswas elected as vice- chairman. Angel Inn County Cllr Sarah Hohler said she and Borough CllrsAnn Kemp and Mahew Balfourwere due to meet Mr March, manager of the Angel Inn. Mr March has asked for the meeting to discuss the approved proposal for parking restrictions at the junctions of Park Road and Millhouse Lane with Troiscliffe Road. Tonbridge& Malling Council had confirmed that the formal consultation had been very thorough and that officers had visited the area to consider the design of the restrictions. Police report PCSO Ross MacMillan had advised the clerk that he would putwarning notices on any cars he saw blocking the pavements in Addington.Agarage at Aldon Lane and three sheds at Troiscliffe School had been broken into and itemswere taken. Acar had been set alight in Beech Road. Defibrillator Both of the defibrillators had been checked and an update provided. Seven Mile Lane Kent County Council had not yet advised when the proposed remedial action would take place for the approach lanes to the roundabout to be reduced on the A20 to a single lane to try to avoid conflict on the roundabout. SpeedwatchAnumber of vehicleswere spoed speeding during a session that morning. No more volunteers had come forward despite a recent plea in The Pilgrims. Recreation ground RoSPAwas due to inspect the playground in June. Cllr Bailey suggested the recreation commiee considered buying some second-hand play equipment which KCCwas considering removing from schools that had closed. Cllr Peter Robinson said there could be problems with buying second-hand equipment. Cable installation The clerkwas still waiting for a risk assessment fromUK Power Networks on how they proposed to install a low voltage underground cable of about 3m at the top of the trackway around the village green. Queen’s birthday Memberswere delighted with the turnout for the lighting of the beacon to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. The clerkwas to write and thank the volunteers who organised the lighting of the beacon and the bell ringers at St Margaret’s Church. Kent Men of Trees Itwas resolved to enter the Trees in the Village competition for an administration fee of £10. Highways Branches blocking the pavement on the A20 near Hernwell Farm had been cleared. The street name sign for The Chestnuts needed repairing and had been reported to KCC. Branches needed clearing by KCC from Troiscliffe Road. Branches had been cleared from Plowenders lay-by. Vehicles blocking the footpath next to Mayfield Farm/Ivanhoe and on the footpath next to the A20west of Clearway had been reported to the PCSO. A20 sign The golf club had taken down its marketing sign but this had been replaced by a sign advertising a local football club and the verge had been damaged. Speed signs One of the national speed limit signswas missing from Church Road and the speed signs at St Vincent’s Lane had been turned around andwere facing the wrongway.


40 Malling June 2016 Home agreed for Little Gem


IT looks like the last pint may have been pulled in what was once Britain’s small- est pub. The owner


of The Little Gem in Ayles- ford has been granted plan- ning permis- sion


by


Tonbridge and Malling council to turn the tiny hostelry into a one-bedroom home. James Callaghan, who lives in Middlesex


and owns the adjoining property, applied for planning consent after a six-year search for a new pub landlord failed. The pub was on the market with an asking price of £230,000. Mr Callaghan obtained planning permis-


sion to develop the neighbouring property, once a business centre, into eight homes in 2012. An online petition to save the 12th century


pub attracted more than 4,500 signatures – but no buyers. Mr Callaghan says he is still open to offers, but the grade two listed prop- erty is now in need of significant repair.


Trees at Troiscliffe Road The clerkwas to ask that the condition of the trees on the highway verge bordering the golf club be assessed. Protecting trees Councillors had met with treewarden Neil Moulton for awalk around the village. He had pointed out some trees of special interest and agreed to liaise with TMBC about the possibility of preservation orders on these trees. Damage to Green The clerk had reported damage done during the recent roadworks to KCC, whichwaswaiting for a response fromUKPower Networks about their plans to resolve the situation. The clerkwas asked to find out from the management company why and when the locking post which used to be on the trackway had been removed.


Aylesford


Crime report The spate of thefts in Mackenders Lanewas discussed. Itwas agreed that the clerk should discuss the maer with the PCSO and the representative of residents.


Birling


Emergency plan Cllr Colin Grimme suggested that the exact locations of the salt bins be added to the plan. HGVparking Kent Highways had looked at the site in Birling Road and Cllr Sarah Hohler said she would be prepared to fund bollards. She said she had seen a lorry parked in Birling Road on herway to the meeting. Queen’s birthday Cllr Guy Nevill said that although Birling owned the beacon, itwas on Snodland land and could not be seen from the village. Options for different types of beacons and a bonfirewere discussed and itwas decided neitherwas practical or


The Little Gem was


built in 1106 and played host to morris dancers, ramblers and visitors to the Friars. It closed in 2010. Mr Callaghan’s appli-


cation also sought listed building consent to re- place the window and paint the property exte- rior.


Locals claim the building is too impor- tant to lose and should be preserved. Some would like to


see it used as a social enterprise and commu- nity facility but no-one has yet been prepared to come up with a viable plan or the cash. The council considered numerous objec-


tions to the application, including one from John Carpenter, who wrote: “This pub is a grade two listed building of great historical in- terest, once proudly promoted as the smallest pub in Kent. It once lived up to its name and, with sympathetic ownership and manage- ment, could do so again.” Allan Reid, who lives in the High Street, said:


“This property with residential planning per- mission would perhaps treble its value. How- ever, the loss to the community would be


financially viable. All Saints’ Church heritageweekend would be the village celebration, to which the parish council had contributed. Thames Crossing Cllrs Grimme and Ron Nudd had considered the options and completed the questionnaire. They had decided option C would be the best overall. Retirement Memberswere upset to learn that Cllr Nudd had resigned for health reasons and hewas thanked for his contribution over the past nine years.A vacancy notice had been sent to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) and posted on the noticeboard andwebsite. Highways Cllr Grimme had contacted Kent Highways about access to Birling Road from the A228 roundabout. The junctionwas often blocked at peak times by vehicles coming from Kings Hill and the diversion due to the roadworks at J4 would make things worse.Atraffic engineer would be monitoring traffic flow. Cllr HelenWalker said the road surface around the traffic calming in Bull Roadwas crumbling. Village hall The village hall commieewere having plans drawn up andwere seeking quotes for the refurbishment of the village hall including roof insulation and a new kitchen, with costs likely to be £12,000- 14,000. Theywere hoping the work would be carried out between July and September. Footpath Cllr JacquieWestwood said one of the steps on the footpath to Church Field was damaged.


East Peckham


Billy CanAwards Mr and Mrs Boyle presented the Billy CanAwards which are given each year in recognition of the recipients’ efforts for the community. The 2016 awardswent to Tony White of East Peckham Boys Brigade, and Barbara Breden.


Parish Councils


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