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downsmail.co.uk Fifty years ghting for village
IT WAS the end of an era when 82-year-old Richard Greenwood stood down as chairman of Lenham Parish Council in August.
Richard had been chairman since 2015, but is considered one of the more permanent fixtures among Lenham’s fittings since arriving in 1964. He said briskly: “Over 50 years ago – same house, same wife.” Always a forward thinker, Richard ran the family timber firm, but his constant stream of new ideas often conflicted with senior directors.
“Before B&Q was heard of, I won
the argument to open a DIY shop, but I lost the call to accept Barclay- card payments.”
He joined the parish council, but global travel as a timber consultant meant he missed 20 years of council business before renewing his inter- est upon retirement in the 1990s. He found things never changed:
“The council was still debating the same issues. Housing, roads, toi- lets.”
When asked to be chairman five
years ago, the council was at a low ebb, with few members and disap- pointed at the demise of the first
parade is off THE Headcorn Remembrance Day parade has been cancelled. Due to current government guidelines, a small service will be conducted by Rev Fiona Haskett. There will be no parade and no gathering of the village on November 11. A Headcorn Parish Council spokesman said: “As you know the pandemic has put paid to many events this year, sadly one of these events will be our annual Remembrance Day Service and Parade. “We will strive to give this day
totally unaware of the Lenham Heath plan until someone leaked it to us. Then we woke up and re- alised we had to fight.”
Still stirring the pot, he added: “There is total conflict between parish councils and MBC officers. The officers obviously have their own agendas. It’s disgraceful.” Richard retains a position on the Neighbourhood Plan Implementa- tion Committee, and new parish chairman, John Britt, is happy to keep this experienced hand close to the tiller.
MBC planning committe chair-
neighbourhood plan. “My first task was resurrecting the council to full membership. The current neighbourhood plan started in 2014, and it is gratifying to have witnessed the conclusion. It was submitted last December and passed by the inspectorate.” Not one to mince his
words, Richard said: “It has not been easy. Maidstone Borough Council planning officers ride roughshod over local plans and we are constantly battling non-com- munication with MBC.” “We never get answers from Ali- son Broom, CEO at MBC. Commu- nication is very poor. We were
man Cllr Clive English said: “Much of what Cllr Greenwood has said is stuff and nonsense. “The characterisation of planning officers, for the most part, is not cor- rect, in my view. “But I don’t think the relationship
between Alison and the parish councils is particularly good and we could do better.
“I am happy to meet with Cllr Greenwood any time to discuss his concerns.”
Remembrance Fears over road layout Flats concern
BUS company Arriva has ex- pressed concerns about safety of the new cycle lane introduced in King Street, Maidstone, without consultation. Oliver Monahan, area manag-
ing director, said: “We are moni- toring the roadworks and have conducted a preliminary risk as- sessment. We will review and take action to ensure our buses can continue to operate safely.” One problem is passengers
a sense of dignity and reverence in these most trying of times. There will be no parade and no gathering of the village. “Given the current rule of six, our service party will consist of the vicar of St Peter and St Paul Church, a parish council member, a Royal British Legion member, a Churches Together member, the parish clerk and a photographer. “We are truly saddened by this
turn of events, but hope that ev- eryone will bear with it until we are able to resume our usual memorial service.”
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have to cross an active cycle lane when boarding and leaving buses. Temporary traffic lights have since been introduced at the new short one-way system at the pinch point to permit a continu- ous cycle lane, replacing a prior- ity system for vehicles. Drivers
report this has made the traffic jams, with long delays, even worse. Complaints about the new layout have come too from taxi drivers, the disabled, residents and businesses as well as Maid- stone borough councillors. The changes were made at speed by Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council after transport minister Grant Shapps allocated funds nationally to
encourage greater cycling,
walking and use of public trans- port. He wanted the money used at speed with no local consulta- tion. He said work could be re- moved if necessary. The scheme led to big changes
in Earl Street, Maidstone – also subject to fierce local criticism.
Open day at primary school VALLEY Invicta Primary School, at Leybourne Chase, is hosting open mornings for the 2021 school intake. The open mornings will take place on Tuesdays and Thurs- days, and are for parents with children due to start school in September 2021. Face coverings are required to be worn and visitors will be asked to sign in for track and trace procedures. To book a space, email
office@leybournechase.viat.org.uk.
COUNCILLOR objections were raised at Maidstone Borough Council’s planning committee to a substantial extension of Holman House, in Station Road, Staple- hurst, to create 10 apartment units.
They saw it as “over intensive”, with a “dire” impact on the area. Members agreed a deferment with further questions for the ap- plicant.
Club scheme VICTORIA’S Cabaret Club at the
top of the A20 hill in Harrietsham will be no more if the Call for Sites offer to Maidstone Borough Council is approved, after being declared “suitable”. The nightclub could be replaced with six four-bedroom houses.
Housing plan
A GREYHOUND training facility in Pile Lane, Staplehurst, will go if a Call for Sites application to Maidstone Borough Council (con- sidered “suitable”) progresses. The facility would be replaced by between 50 and 60 housing units.
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