News
downsmail.co.uk Parish wins homes challenge
HEADCORN has taken its battle to save its village identity to the High Court– winning a judicial review to challenge an approved 220-home development.
Lord Justice Jackson gave the landmark ruling on December 15, agreeing that Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) failed to consider properly the need for an environ- mental impact assessment on the green field development known as Hazel Pits, off Ulcombe Road. It follows a decision by MBC to approve a second DHA plan after the planning company lodged an appeal accusing the council of fail- ing to determine its first application in time. The appeal was subse- quently withdrawn. Welcoming the ruling, Headcorn
ParishCouncil chairman Lyn Selby (pictured) said villagers and coun- cillors felt the borough council’s de- cision to ignore local protest had to be challenged. Cllr Selby said: “We simply felt enough was enough. As an urban council, Maidstone has no under-
Vehicle thefts
AMANhas been arrested on sus- picion of stealing a Land Rover in Marden and bailed until next month.
Officers have been investigating reports a Land Roverwas stolen in September. They are also investi- gating the theft of three white transit-type vans in the Maidstone area.
The 37-year-old, from Maid-
stone, was arrested on November 9 and he has been bailed until Thursday, February 2. Officers are also investigating reports that three white vanswere stolen across Yalding and Would- ham between Thursday, Novem- ber 3, and Friday, November 10. No arrests have been made in connection to these reports.
Two trees are twice the fun in village
VILLAGERS at Marden doubled up on the Christmas spirit after being given two Christmas trees. A 12ft tree outside Marden Children’s Centre was donated by
developer Redrow who also funded lights for another one, givenby a local family, outside the memorial hall. Children from Marden Primary School joined in the celebrations,
New blow to Eliana’s family
LIFE has handed down another challenge to a Staplehurst family, whose daughter has just returned from America after undergoing life- changing surgery. With months of physiotherapy
ahead of two-year-old Eliana Far- ragher following a successful fund- raising appeal that flew her to St Louis for surgery,mumCatherine is dealing with the news that her son Charlie has cerebral palsy. Like his sister, the one-year-old
was born prematurely and now faces an uncertain future filled with physical hurdles. Eliana’s brain damage at birth af-
fected her sight and she has diplegic cerebral palsy that affects her bones. While Charlie cannot be properly di-
4 Maidstone Weald January 2017
agnosed until he is two, hismum– a teaching assistant from Headcorn Road – says he could benefit from a similar op. She reflected on the last nine months, which saw her and hus- band Ray enlist the help of family, friends and supporters to raise £85,000 for Eliana’s ground-breaking surgery on her spine. She said: “When I started out on
this journey I had no idea that I would have to start all over again for Charlie. Eliana’s wish to run has been granted –nowCharliewants to catch her. “We have reached the end of Eliana’s journey at St Louis Chil- dren’s Hospital. She still has a way to go to build confidence and stam-
ina and improve her gait. However, time is now on her side.” She thanked all those who sup-
ported her, adding: “Thank you for your words of love and support; you kept us going during the low times and we were thrilled to share the highs with you. Eliana will continue to rehabilitate at home, and Charlie’s Challenge will have to get going to give our lovely boy his chance at a happy and pain-free childhood. I am not sure how both children suffered brain damage and although it seems grossly unfair I amnot allowing my- self to focus on that. “I am not sure how I amgoing to
raise funds this time. But I hope with your love and support we will get there.”
Eliana Farragher is back fromtheUSA
singing carols as both sets of lights were switched on. Mince pies were provided at both the venues which are just next door but one to each other.
standing of what living in a rural setting means. We are not anti- housing, but to propose 220 houses in one chunk is unsustainable when you look at the lack of local jobs and how far children need to
travel to school and the traffic.” More than 200 homes are already
being built in the village, all adding to congestion on the A274 and A229, which the council says bot- tlenecks into Maidstone at the Wheatsheaf junction on the Sutton Road. The extra homes also raised concerns from the county council’s corporate director of growth, envi- ronment and transport. Cllr Selby said: “These 220 extra
homes will extend the village away from its centre into open country- side. We don’t want to be another town and we have garnered lots of support and donations from vil- lagers who support us in drawing a line in the sand.” It is estimated that the parish council has spent about £17,000 get- ting its case to this stage. Cllr Selby said: “The parish coun- cil supports appropriate develop-
ment in Headcorn and believes it has identified this in its recently completed Neighbourhood Plan. “This development raises signifi-
cant environmental issues that need to be properly assessed. We feel we have a strong case and we are glad the judge agrees.” Richard Buxton, the solicitor tak-
ing the case for the parish council, said: “An environmental impact as- sessment is designed to let decision makers have all relevant informa- tion so they can properly scrutinise planning applications. “This development is an example
of concerns that can arise among local people.” The judicial review can now pro-
ceed in the High Court. Cllr Selby added: “We will dis-
cuss progress in the new year, with the hope that this permission can be quashed.”
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