News


downsmail.co.uk Concern over state of ‘Bogs’


BEARSTED residents battling a controversial 50-house development have written to Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) voicing their continued concerns, writes Chris Lawson.


Simon Elverson (pictured) says the Roundwell Park site, known locally as The Bogs, is “completely inappropriate” and is prone to flooding. The works, which started almost three years after the first bulldoz- ers moved in to clear the site, were further delayed after two site man- agers contracted COVID-19, caus- ing the site to temporarily close. Mr Elverson, who has lived in Cross Keys for more than eight years, said: “We have endured 16 months of noise, dust, mud, con- voys of 30-tonne tipper trucks and eight-wheeler mixer lorries. And they’re still barely beyond ground preparation.”


“The construction of that snaking concrete wall as a flood barrier is only going to increase the


Homes plan is deferred over


traffic concern PERMISSION for 106 homes at a site in Allington has been deferred. The units will include a mix of bungalows, houses, and apart- ments in land just off Beaver Road. Maidstone’s planning committee


could only discuss permission con- cerning a very small parcel of land which holds the access road to the site. The rest of the site was al- ready granted outline permission by Tonbridge and Malling Bor- ough Council as it sits in their catchment area.


Cllr Cynthia Robertson, who represents Allington, said: “It has become apparent that the A20 junction will be overloaded. “Local people feel very ag-


grieved that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council are al- lowing building right up to our borough boundary with no regard to the effect on the quality of life here in Allington.” Cllr Perry said he felt “incredibly frustrated” that Kent Highways had not attended the meeting. Cllr Perry said: “We’ve got a bit of a ransom strip (land needed for access) here...if we do not agree it, then it throws the whole thing out.”


The application was unani- mously deferred so a highways of- ficer could be in attendance.


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ensure the capacity of the flood basin is not further reduced.” Residents say the relocation of site offices has left a border de- prived of mature hedgerow con- taining diverse flora and fauna and insist this must be reinstated. Developers RAMAC were re-


cently under investigation for al- leged breaches of planning permission and were advised to submit a retrospective planning application.


flood risk to our properties. “The area that is designated an


‘ecology park’ on the plans is a dis- grace. There is a crushed stone and concrete haul road, dumps of ag- gregates, concrete debris and gen-


eral construction waste that all needs removal before any attempt to establish an ecology park is con- sidered. “We want an assurance the in- tegrity of this area be restored to


Site manager Bob Wraight said: “Since work started, we have been held up by a very wet winter, and on top of that, I and the other site manager both contracted Coron- avirus.” Developers estimate the first homes will be built by spring next year.


Driver ned


A DISQUALIFIED driver from East Malling has been banned and fined. Ryan Webb (28), of The Heath,


was sentenced on April 19 at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court. He admitted driving while dis- qualified and without third-party insurance, in Dunton Green, on March 2. He was disqualified from driv-


ing for 20 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a sur- charge of £95 and costs of £85.


Shakespeare al fresco


LIVE outdoor theatre returns to Maidstone on the evening of Friday, July 2, when Changeling starts its season with a presentation of Shakespeare’s comic tale ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the magnificent setting of Boughton Monchelsea Place. There are also shows on the Saturday (7.30pm) and the Sunday (5pm).


The performance is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Maidstone, in aid of the air ambulance, local hospice and children’s charities. This is the start of the hectic Changeling season which runs across Kent, Sussex and London until mid August. There are several more performances in the Maidstone area, including


at The Tithe Barn, Lenham, on July 25 (5pm), The Friars, Aylesford on July 29 (7.30pm), Linton Park on August 5 (7.30), concluding with three more shows at Boughton Monchelsea Place on August 13 (7.30), August 14 (3pm) and August 15 (5pm). One of the actors is Jake Richards (25), who grew up in Bearsted and


did an acting degree at ArtsEd, London. He said: “I am lucky to be playing Bottom – he is mischievous, funny and his timing has to be perfect.” Tickets can be booked on line (www.changeling-theatre.com) with adult


prices generally £24, children (10 to 18s) £14 and under 10s free (tickets needed).


Mayor chosen


A NEW mayor has been appointed in Tonbridge and Malling. Liberal Democrat Roger Roud


(70) has lived in East Malling for more than 40 years and has repre- sented the patch since 2015. The parish councillor has been deputy mayor for the past two years. Cllr Roud also served on the licensing, waste, environment, and planning committees.


Garden visit


RESIDENTS are invited to an open day at Smiths Hall garden in West Farleigh on June 27. The event will run from 11am to 5pm. Children go free and adult tickets are £5. Refreshments will be available. To book go to ngs.org.uk/view- garden/5304 .


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