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Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling
EAST Malling councillors have launched a call for
‘witness statements’ to help create a new village green. Plans are in place to create the space at Cottenham Or- chard near the heart of the village – but it needs support from local residents. Parish councillor Michelle Tatton said: “To get the new village green, we need to hear from anyone who has enjoyed activities like rambling, dog walking, picnics and games in the orchard for the last 20 years. “We are happy to help any residents needing assistance in completing the forms which will be sent to KCC who are responsible for creating new village greens. We need lots of forms and the faster we get them, the sooner we can protect this special place.” County Councillor Trudy Dean is putting £1,700 of her
KCC Councillors Fund to pay for an ecological study of the site. It will be completed over the next six months into birds, reptiles, insects and plant life. Mrs Dean said: “The survey will start this month managed by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership who are expe- rienced in protecting old orchard sites like this for wildlife. “If it proves a good enough site, they will be applying for Local Nature Reserve status for the orchard which will give it even more protection.
“Creating a village green would give us the fastest and one of the best protections against development of the orchard forever.”
Borough Councillor Roger Roud, who lives in the area, is also backing the scheme. “This site has fantastic bird life including doves, cuckoos, field fares and we think, nightingales,” he said. “Occasional deer have also been seen in the orchard.
Roger Roud and Michelle Tatton in Cottenham Orchard
“My kids played here and my family will be completing some of these forms to make sure other kids can enjoy it in future.” And East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council Chairman David Thornewell added: “The parish council has been very successful in creating new village greens at the King and Queen corner, Rocks Close, and most recently, supporting residents in Four Acres in getting their new green. “Two other greens have been created at Whimbrel Green and Willow Road in Larkfield.
“Getting the orchard designated as a village green will also strengthen our fight to get the Green Belt extended in the new Local Plan, to protect land between East and West Malling, of which the orchard is part.”
If you can help by providing a witness statement, contact Michelle Tatton for the necessary form at michelle.tatton@
aol.com or call 01732 521889
Water plans for Newsprint site to be showcased at exhibition
AN exhibition is being held in Aylesford to showcase South East Water’s plans for water treatment on the former Aylesford Newsprint site.
The site, which is accessed from New Hythe Lane, is being considered for two developments by the water board. The first is a new water treatment works, which it aims to complete by 2023, with
the second being a water re-use scheme by 2038.
It is part of a plan they have pulled together to help with the increased water needs in the area up to 2080.
The exhibition is being held in King’ Studio at the Aylesford Community Centre, 25 Forstal Road, Aylesford, on Tuesday March 20 between 12pm and 8pm.
Easter Bunny Hunt
AN Easter Bunny hunt will take place in Larkfield on Saturday March 24. A number of bunnies will be hidden all around St Martin Square in the village, with the challenge for youngsters being to find them all.
A prize is on offer if you do manage to hunt them all down. Entry is free.
A Malling Action Partnership publication
March/April 2018
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