Latest News

Taylor Wimpey have released three x three bedroomed homes at Saxon Mead, Staplehurst to Golding Homes who are now marketing the propeties under a shared ownership scheme. For further information please follow the link to Golding Homes website at:

 

Kent County Council is consulting residents about its 'Flood Risk to Communities' documents.  These are documents that provide a summary of flood risk and its management for local communities.  One of the documents specifically covers the Maidstone area and can be found on the KCC website at http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/floodriskmaidstone/consultationHome.

 

The document is a useful reference point for information about flood risk, who is managing it and what work is being undertaken and planned in the future.  The aim is to keep the document up to date by adding information as and when future developments occur.

 

KCC has asked for feedback on the current version of the document.  This can be provided by completing the consultation questionnaire on-line or by e-mailing [email protected].  Any questions may also be sent to this e-mail address.  The consultation closes on 28th April 2016.

At the Full Councill meeting on Monday 21st March 2016 the Parish Council welcomed Patrick Riordan who was co-opted as the new Councillor to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Neal Kemp.  Councillors are looking forward to working with Cllr Riordan. 

Please note the application relating to the submission of details 16/502104 is now live on MBC Website and can be viewed by clicking on the following link: http://pa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/

 

Residents may have noticed that work to install a puffin crossing on Marden Road outside Oak Lodge has been interrupted.  The work relates to one of the planning conditions attached to the planning permission granted to Taylor Wimpey to build the development south of Oliver Road (application ref MA/12/2106).  The reason for the interruption is that work started before proposals had been submitted and agreed by the planning authority (Maidstone Borough Council).

 

Taylor Wimpey has submitted to MBC an application (ref 16/502104) containing details to cover the requirements of four planning conditions: Condition - 24 - Engineering Layout - Road Junction Signing and Lining (A229 Bell Lane & Clapper Lane junctions), Condition 25 - Engineering Layout - Kent County Council Standard Bus Boarding Details (A229), Condition 26 - Puffin Crossing Engineering Layout (Marden Road) and Condition 27 - Public Footpath (KM312).

 

MBC does not formally consult Staplehurst Parish Council about submission of details relating to planning conditions.  However, the Parish Council has specifically advised MBC that it wishes to comment on the submitted details once they are in the public domain.

 

Residents who would like to comment on the proposals should contact Mid Kent Planning Support, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ, Tel: 01622 602736, email: [email protected] or submit comments on-line via the MBC website.  As usual, it is helpful if residents copy their comments to the Parish Office.

Kent County Council has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the subsidies it grants to some bus services.  The number 5 bus service between Maidstone and Hawkhurst, which serves Staplehurst, is affected by the proposals which would see evening services diverting via Coxheath to replace the 89 bus service.

 

Full details of the proposals and how to have your say may be viewed on KCC's website at http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/BusReview/consultationHome or you can view KCC's media release at https://kccmediahub.net/4387745.  The consultation will close on 15th May.

The community charity Groundwork has announced a new round of funding for community green spaces as part of a programme in collaboration with Tesco.  The programme will use funds raised by Tesco from the sale of 5p carrier bags.  Applications may be submitted from 18th April, giving organisations time to prepare bids before the date.  Projects eligible for funding could include parks, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens.  To find out more about the programme including how to apply go to http://www.groundwork.org.uk/sites/tescocommunityscheme.

Maidstone Borough Council has announced that its Saturday Freighter service which collects household waste from pick-up points around the borough is to close.  To read about the decision and other ways of disposing of rubbish see the news article on MBC's website at http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/residents/news/website-news-articles/discontinuation-of-saturday-freighter-service.

 

The freighter's final call in Staplehurst will be on Saturday 9th April at the usual stops and times: 7.45am - 8.30am Poyntell Road (by the pond); 8.40am - 9.25am Church Green; 9.35am - 10.15am Northdown (junction with Marden Road).

The National Association of Local Councils is promoting an on-line parliamentary petition to give parish councils a right of appeal against an approved planning decision in the same way that an applicant has a right to appeal against a refusal.  The petition can be found at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/110489.

Heart of Kent Hospice organises a wide range of fundraising events throughout the year for which ad hoc helpers are required on the day to support a range of tasks. If you have any free time to help with the following weekend and/or evening events please contact Nicola Smith at fundraising on 01622 790195:

 

Fire Walk: Friday 4th March - Jubilee Square, Maidstone Me14 1SA (eve)

Maidstone Road Run: Sunday 20th March - Cornwallis Academy, Maidstone ME17 4HX (day)

Bluebell Walk: Sunday 1st May - Harrietsham Village Hall ME17 1AP (day)

It's a Knockout: Sunday 15th May - Mote Park , Maidstone ME15 7SU (day)

Brands Hatch 10k Run & Fun Run:  Friday 3rd June - Brands Hatch DA3 9NG (eve)

Rainbow 5k Fun Run: Sunday 19th June - Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7SU (day)