News


Bid to rebuild fire-hit barn


THE owner of an ancient farm building destroyed by fire has launched a bid to raise it fromthe ashes. Gary Pankhurst has lodged pa-


perswith boroughplanners asking permission to rebuild Pancake Barn and its attached cottage. The timber-framed building, in


Boyton Court Road, Sutton Va- lence, dated back to the 1600s. It burnt to the ground in February after fire crews battledthrough the night to save theproperty andpro- tect neighbouring buildings from igniting in the intense heat. Kent Fire andRescue Service be-


lieves the blaze was sparked by heat fromawood burner flue. Inmaking an application for the


reconstruction, Mr Pankhurst’s agent, Gregory Bunce, told Maid- stone Borough Council: “The tragedy of the fire has meant no historicmaterial remains.” He added: “In the circumstances,


the impact of losing a historic building is bestmitigated by its re- placement. This can be done using similar materials and forms to those destroyed, and so a like-for- like replacement is proposed,with minor variations.” The building was grade II listed


but its cottage,whichwas addedin the late 19th century,was not. Mr Bunce said the barnwas con-


verted to a home in 2005, and the modernmaterials used at the time are all that survived the fire. If given the go-ahead, the new


barnwould be faithful to the orig- inal in outside appearance, with the exception of a dormerwindow on the south side of the building. ConsulteesHistoricEnglandand


Kent County Council Highways have raised no objections. MidKentEnvironmentalHealth


said the remains should be checked for asbestos before any demolition or buildingwork.


New chairman James Forknall (left) with Kevin Atwood Kent Show’s newhead


A CHART Sutton farmer has been appointed chairman of the body behind the county show. James Forknall took the helm of


the Kent County Agricultural Soci- ety after predecessor Kevin Attwood completed his six-year termin office. Mr Forknall, who farms wheat,


barley, oil seed rape and beans, served as vice chairman for the so- ciety. He also worked for Maid- stone’s National Farmers’ Union branch and the Weald of Kent PloughingMatch. He said: “Kevin has done a


tremendous job over the last six years and I certainly have some very big boots to fill. I look forward to the challenge.” The society has supported edu-


cation and improvements in agri- culture, horticulture and forestry since its foundation in 1923. It gives grants and university


scholarships toyoungpeoplelooking towork inthe industry,but the jewel in its crown, the county show at Detling, showcases farming, coun- tryside and rural life to the public. This year’s showruns on July 5, 6


and 7.


downsmail.co.uk


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Maidstone Weald April 2019


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