Kennington News FEBRUARY 2011 Published by Kennington Community Forum
DELIVERED TO 5,000 HOMES
Plans for pub can go-ahead PLANS to extend the empty Golden Ball pub and create a new restaurant have been approved. Ashford BC planning committee overruled a recommendation from their officers that the proposal should be refused on the grounds that the extension
From gasman to vicar WORKING as a British Gas engineer was wonderful training for the ministry, says the Rev Richard King, the new Priest in Charge of St Mary’s, Kennington. “It took away the fear of the doorbell and one needed to get on with people very quickly!” Richard was born and educated in Reading and spent four years with British Gas before going into full-time Christian work which included overseas missionary work. “Then in 1983 it was suggested I considered ordination.” He laughs: “I thought crikey, a gasman ending up as a vicar at 21!” Richard moved to Kent in in 1990 when he accepted a curacy in Folkestone “and I’ve been in the Canterbury diocese ever since.” For the past four years he has had a dual post, as parish priest at Charing and as one of two diocesan missionaries. Richard, who is 47, moved into the vicarage with his son and daughter. He said: “I’m one of those clergy who has experienced a marriage ending.” Son Andy, 21, is a musician working in retail, and 18-year-old Emily is hoping to go to university in September to study pharmacy. Richard said: “I’ve been given a very clear parish profile and a very clear set of jobs and tasks. I’ve received a wonderful wel-
‘HE’S SO FULL OF ENERGY’ DELIGHTED Churchwarden Derek Sorrell said: “Richard is instantly likeable, full of energy and he relates to everyone from five to 95. “The 16 members of the Parochial Church Council voted unanimously to have him. The whole parish is so excited it’s just not true.” A large team of parish workers has kept St Mary’s running smoothly since the Rev Yvonne Murphy left 19 months ago. come and I’m looking forward immensely to getting to know a talented team and working on the things they want to achieve.” His installation will take place at the church on 2 February. Duncan Finn has been appointed organist and choirmaster following the death of David Mole.
Firm favourite: The Rev Richard King
SUPER START TO SCOUTS’ BIG YEAR KENNINGTON Scouts have plenty to celebrate at the start of their centenary year. They have raised £246,000 towards the £325,000 needed for a new HQ and they have been chosen as one of the Kent Messenger’s charities for 2011. Among several substantial grants and donations was £3,000 from the NatWest Community Fund. It is hoped work on the site will begin in March. Fund-raising chair, the Rev Roger Martin, said: “We are considering installing solar panels and an air-source heat pump which will provide sustainable energy for the years ahead.”
was too big and would harm the historic character of the 18th century building. The application attracted many letters of support, including one from the Campaign for Real Ale. Owner Alex Bensley, of Village Green Restaurants, has already renamed the pub The Old Mill.
SUCCESS, BUT THE FIGHT GOES ON CAMPAIGNERS have won the first round in the battle to stop 1,200 homes being built in Kennington. The council has dropped proposed sites from the Urban Sites Development Plan Document following massive local opposition. The decision was given a cautious welcome by Mark Street of the ‘Stop the Kennington North Estate’ campaign. He said: “We are pleased the council appears to have listened to local residents, but we will not rest until these plans have been removed from the Core Strategy. “As local unemployment climbs it makes little sense to build more homes in the area while destroying some of the county's most beautiful landscape.” Bovis Homes wanted to build 600 homes on the Hockey Club in Ball Lane and on land on the other side of the A28. Land behind Towers School was ear-marked in the DPD for another 600 homes and there were plans for a link road taking traffic from the A28 to the A251 and on to Junction 9 of the M20. A protest meeting organised by ‘Stop the Kennington North Estate’ was attended by 260 residents last May. Two months later the then council leader, Paul Bartlett, promised the sites would be dropped from the current DPD and there could be no development until at least 2017. Despite this pledge Bovis continued to press ahead with
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Why local sites were ruled out P OTENTIAL sites for 1,800 new homes in the Ashford area are identified in the Urban Sites Development Plan Document (DPD). Planning permission, either full or outline, has already been granted for a further 340 homes. Together, these plans will provide more than enough homes to meet predicted housing needs until 2016. The council has decided not to include the sites to the east of Canterbury Road and at Kennington North (behind Towers School) in the new DPD. These are the reasons.
Ashford Cricket and Hockey Club west of A28: Redevelopment would be unacceptable in principle unless replacement facilities are provided elsewhere. Development of the site would have an impact on the landscape and steps would have to be taken to reduce this. Ashford Cricket and Hockey Club east of A28: This site forms part of open countryside. Development could only be considered as a means of providing wider community benefits such as relocation and improvement of the cricket and hockey club facilities. However, traffic impact in the absence of a WHILE the decision to drop the controversial plans is welcome news, the threat of development remains since it stays part of the council's Core Strategy document. The council has begun a review of the Core Strategy document as there is a requirement to complete this by the end of 2014. The Council is due to
To see all the sites submitted by landowners and developers go to Ashford.gov.uk Urban DPD Background Documents and click on ‘Sustainability Appraisal of the Urban Sites and Infrastructure DPD – Reg 27 Publication Version’
link road to the A251 means that existing congestion is likely to be made worse by development here. The site is not suitable for allocation in this DPD. Kennington North: The site is identified in the Core Strategy on the Ashford Growth Area as a primarily residential development area. As such, it has previously been considered to be acceptable, in principle, for development. However, the site lies in a visually sensitive location where impact on the wider landscape and views of Ashford and its surroundings would be affected. Significant steps would be required to lessen this impact, especially around Ulley Farm. Furthermore, the site was seen as delivering a potential A28-A251 link road but addipublish the timetable for public consultation and residents are urged to participate in the review to give their opinions, as this will ensure development proposals for Kennington are removed for good. Please contact Simon Cole of Ashford BC for more information on your chance to have a say. simon.cole@ashford.gov.uk
tional land would be required and without this road, the merits of allocating the site for development are reduced. On this basis, other sites are preferred for allocation in this DPD. Orchard Farm, off Canterbury Road, Kennington: Development would have an impact on the landscape to the east as it would intrude into open countryside. Land at Ball Lane and Ulley Road: Site not suitable in principle for development as this would have a detrimental impact on the character of the Conservation Area and it provides the setting for the church. Development would also prevent the potential future use of the site as open space. Land between Orchard Lane and East Mountain Lane: Access to the site is via a single track lane and this together with the access onto the A28 would need to be upgraded. The site lies outside the existing built confines of the town and is not considered suitable for development. The DPD consultation period ends on 4 February. Copies can be viewed at the Civic Centre and at Ashford Library. www.ashford.gov.uk/consult
FROM PAGE ONE plans to build on the Hockey Club and on the opposite side of the Canterbury Road where it would provide the club with new facilities. Asked for Bovis’s response to the revised DPD associate director Peter Court told the Kennington News: “This matter is currently
WE HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS CHALLENGING YEAR says Forum chair Chris Morley
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HE Localism Bill, published last December, promises greater powers for people to hold their local authorities to account, and a bigger say for communities over key decisions affecting their neighbourhood. As an established body, KCF can have a significant role to play in ensuring that new Localism arrangements reflect the needs of the whole of our area; and we have already started discussion with Ashford Borough Council to explore this. ABC has recently announced a review of the Core Strategy, which sets out the Council’s vision for the future of the Borough in areas such as housing, transport, and community infrastructure, “reflecting the views of local people”. WE AIM to be fully involved in this process, and will be working with other community forums in Ashford on issues where we have a common interest. Although funding for projects will be difficult to obtain this year, it is an ideal opportunity to identify schemes which would be of benefit to the area once the economic outlook improves. The Forum is always interested to receive suggestions for new projects from residents, and especially welcomes volunteers to help get things done.
the subject of internal consideration. No decision has as yet been made as to what we do.” Forum chair Chris Morley said: “The revised draft DPD identifies capacity for over 1,800 new homes in the urban area, which is more than sufficient to meet the lower requirement now proposed for completion by 2016. In addition, a further 340 houses have already been granted either outline or full planning permission.”
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JOHN KEMP: ‘A MAN OF THE PEOPLE’
DEMOLITION WOULD PUT BATS AT RISK AN ECOLOGICAL report is calling for a full bat survey to be carried out on land in The Street which is the subject of a controversial planning application. The report, by Wildthing Wildlife Consultants, says there is evidence of roosting bats and the demolition of No 80, Little Acre, would make a notable impact on the bats. It advises the council to carry out a detailed survey. An application, submitted last July by Skillcrown Homes to demolish the house and build six houses, has resulted in more than 100 objections Residents and local councillors said The Street would be unable to cope with extra traffic and parking; the historic environment of Old Kennington would be seriously damaged and the land was a haven for wildlife which would be destroyed.
KENNINGTON councillor Major John Kemp will be remembered as a man of the people, says Councillor Michael Claughton who is looking after ward affairs until the council elections in May. Councillor Kemp, who represented Kennington for 21 years, died in November after a battle with cancer aged 78. Michael Claughton joined the council a year after Cllr Kemp and they became good friends. He said: "John was a man of the people. His death is a huge loss to the council and the community. He had respect from all sides of the council chamber. In addition to his great professionalism I shall miss his wonderful sense of humour." John Kemp was the Conservative councillor for Kennington Lees Ward from 1989-2003 and Kennington Ward from 2003. He moved to Kennington after a career in the Royal Electrical and
TODDLING ALONG FOR PARTY FUN SURE STEPS Children's Centre Parent and Toddler group moved into the neighbouring Phoenix School hall for their Christmas party. Staff, volunteers and parents all helped make it a special event for over 60 children. Father Christmas made a guest appearance and all the children had a chance to meet him and his elves. One Mum said, "We had a really brilliant time!”
Mechanical Engineers. He served a further 10 years with the Territorial Army and was awarded an MBE in 1987. He served on the Executive — the council’s decision-making committee He was chairman of the Kennington Parochial Charity. John lived in Lower Vicarage Road and leaves a son and daughter and five grandchildren.
BE SURE TO GET YOUR JAB
Photographer Ania Sieradzha takes a break from clearing the snow in her drive at Kennington. Ania, who specialises in weddings, events and portraits, is a former international fashion model. www.great-shots.co,uk
DESPITE the headlines regarding 'swine flu', the number of associated deaths are within the normal range for winter flu, although younger people and pregnant women have been affected. This illness is preventable with vaccination. We would encourage ALL pregnant women, at whatever stage of pregnancy and people with illnesses as diabetes, epi-
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Jenny Lowe of Bracken Close, Kennington, has been named Slimming World’s woman of the year. Mrs Lowe, 68, went from 24 stone to 14 stone, 9lb. She said: “I feel so much better.” DOBBIES new garden centre at Eureka Park is to be more than 305 sq. metres bigger than originally agreed. The application was approved by the planning committee who also agreed to the Tescoowned chain’s application to increase the polytunnel and plant sales areas.
by Dr JAMES SHARP New Hayesbank Surgery
lepsy, chronic bronchitis, asthma or heart disease, to contact their GP surgery to arrange influenza vaccination if they have not had a vaccine. This year’s winter flu jab includes the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine. We are being asked to save money where possible and for this reason, we are prescribing one month of medication at a time for many patients to help avoid wastage.
WE’VE MOVED! Four awards for the best of refs
Open meetings of the Forum are now held at St Mary’s Community Centre in Rylands Road, at the new time of 7.30pm. The November meeting at St Mary’s Church Hall was cancelled due to bad weather.
DIARY DATES FOR 2011:
JOHN FENNING’S 50-year service to refereeing in Kent has earned him four special awards. John, 76, of Hillcrest Close, Kennington, received the first of them — an FA medal and certificate — at a ceremony organised by the Kent FA at Cobdown Park, Aylesford. Presenting the award Kent FA chief executive, Keith Masters, said: “John epitomises the referees’ motto ‘Service Before Self’. Over the years he not only ensured so many players got a good, fair game of football but has inspired other referees and always given
them the best possible advice.” John received three more awards at a special presentation evening held by the Ashford and Weald branch of the Kent Referees’ Association — two from the National Referees’ Association and an award for outstanding service from the Ashford and Weald branch. John began refereeing in Colchester in 1960 and moved to Ashford in 1968. He officiated at Southern League matches until reaching the upper age limit of 44. He said: “It’s been a true privilege to referee in Kent for all these years.”
29 MARCH, 7.30pm 31 MAY, 7.30pm 26 JULY, 7.30pm 27 SEPT, AGM, 7.30pm 29 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm THE Forum represents the views of people living and working in Kennington and communicates those views to Ashford Borough Council and other statutory organisations. It is an independent, voluntary group with its own constitution. The Forum is led by a Core Group comprising the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and up to nine other members. It is supported by an officer from Ashford Borough Council. Anyone who lives in Kennington will be very welcome at the Forum’s meetings which are held every two months at St Mary’s Community Centre Ryland Rd. The Forum has its own web site: kenningtoncf.kentparishes.gov.uk Kennington News is published by the Kennington Community Forum. Editor Robin Britcher, 169 Faversham Road, Kennington. 01233 634410 kennington.news@hotmail.co.uk
ALL KITTED OUT: Kennington Juniors Under-7 and Under-8 squads show off their new training kits provided by County Square shopping centre, Ashford. The centre also sponsors the club’s distinctive amber and black kit, worn by its 350 playing members aged from six to 16. Club chairman Tony Rudd said: “We are delighted to have the support of County Square and in particular its centre manager, Fran Burt, who always supports the club at fund raising events.”
IT’S NEVER too early to start thinking about the Kennington Summer Fayre. It’s a great occasion and raises lots of money for local charities. If you would like to help in any way please call Phil Sims on 01233 627603. The Fayre is on 25 June.
SPECIALIST contractors Karl Terry Ltd worked hard to complete repairs to Kennington’s Memorial Shelter in time for Remembrance Sunday. Following theft of lead soon after completion of the new roof in April, the Forum worked with War Memorials Trust conservation officers to agree an alternative design. Cedar ridge tiles were selected, from the same Canadian source as the new shingles, and WMT offered a grant to cover half the cost of this work. A further £1,000 is needed for the next phase of restoration which includes installation of a bench inside and railings around the Shelter.
YOUR LOCAL CONTACTS COUNTY COUNCILLORS: Elizabeth Tweed (Ashford Central) 01233 714689 elizabeth.tweed@kent.gov.uk Andrew Wickham (Ashford Rural East) 01233 840902 andrew.wickham@kent.gov.uk ASHFORD BC COUNCILLORS: Kennington: This position is vacant following the death of Major John Kemp. Until the borough council elections in May Cllr Michael Claughton will represent the ward. See below. Bockhanger: Michael Claughton 01233 635969 michael.claughton@ntlworld.com
DESPITE bad
Bybrook: Marion Martin 01233 628811
weather the Kennington WI Christmas Fair raised £560.
Little Burton Farm: Norman Ayres 01233 620767 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE OFFICERS: Kennington: Pc
marionmartin168 @btinternet.com
Mandy Sturgener 07772 226133 Bybrook and Little Burton: PCSO Nikki Relf 07772 226206 Eureka Park, Bockhanger, Trinity Road area: PCSO Selina Lawrence 07772 226098 FORUM: Chris Morley, chair, 01233 611196 c0fm@aol.com Sandra Dunn, secretary, 01233 634165 sandradunn@sky.com. NEW HAYESBANK SURGERY: 624642