BOROUGH GREEN NEWS
STOP PRESS..........
Brief mention about the Esso/Tesco application: this goes before Area 2 Planning Committee on Wednesday, and Planning Officers are recommending refusal. But remember, this is Tesco, so don't break out the Champagne just yet.....
UPDATE : Last night the Planning Committee agreed to heed resident's concerns as voiced by our Parish and Borough Councillors, and have deferred their refusal of the application until they recieve sound advice on Highway Safety and the Financial Impact of Tesco's proposal. Whilst they could have refused last night, the grounds could have been easily weaseled around by Tesco, and they would have been back at appeal. It is important that there is a refusal in place that will stand up at any planning appeal.
FURTHER GOOD NEWS TODAY : The Government have finally announced that they have rejected AXAs proposal for the Rail Terminal (KIG) at Bearsted. This is good news here because it confirms the Governments intentions towards rural railfreight hubs sponsored by the now defunct South East Plan.
KRaFT (BIG) were only ever chancers having a punt, and there is no way they will spend millions on a Planning Application that is doomed to fail.
ISLES QUARRY HOUSING update.....
Attended the Exhibition on Saturday, and was heartened to see that Crest have taken resident's concerns on board, and have talked with TMBC about opening the access onto the Haul Rd, and after more protests by residents are now considering blocking the Surgery roundabout entrance completely. They agreed to send me a plan of this for the website, and here it is. It clearly shows the new access to the left of the site joining the Haul Rd, and they are now considering residents requests close the site access to the roundabout completely .
They still intend to build 200 houses , though........
I am not alone amongst Parish Councillors in being very uneasy about our Chairman snuggling up to developers, after all, this is how this whole sorry IQW mess kicked off in the first place. Whilst it is practical common sense to ensure that a high price is extracted from developers, I for one do not want to be tainted by association. If we've only got £300,000 insurance payout to build Potters Mede, that is what we use. I am sure we can provide quite magnificent facilities for that sort of money. Of course, Arsenal won't want to play here.
Someone told me that badgers were shy and retiring, but despite the evergrowing Despite the continuing urbanisation of our village, wild life seems to be thriving. This feller turns up every night: foxes and hedgehogs are most upset, he keeps nicking their supper !! Doesn't turn a hair when the flash goes off.
Serious side to this: pictures like this are valuable evidence, and you'll find a survey form on this site: get those reports back to Jo Richards!!!
Click the link for video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV6bS_ZjY6U
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Icelandic Volcano pictures:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/more_from_eyjafjallajokull.html
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The Coalition seem to be making steady progress towards the ending of the free-for-all policy under the previous government where developer profits were put ahead of the environment and local needs. This makes a local Railfreight hub even less likely. Now don't start feeling sorry for Cemex. This has been reinforced by the recent announcement that the Infrastructure Planning Commision and the South East Plan are both being shelved.
Just musing now: I wonder whether they will cancel the LDF process and put the whole Isles Quarry issue back into the pot..... fingers crossed!!
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The Skatepark Committee agreed with the results of a young people's survey and have installed a Youth Shelter at the Skatepark. Now completed with the help of those same young people, the shelter was officially opened By Rob Jones, Chair of the Skatepark Committee. The shelter is fitted with solar powered lights, and a solar and wind-up radio.
The Crowhill to Maidstone Rd footpath has recently been resurfaced, which will now allow the elderly, disabled, and young mums with pushchairs a safe shortcut to the village. This is a triumph of co-operation between Kent Highway Services, Russet Homes, Our KCC Member Valerie Dagger and local residents who have all made contributions to the project. What has always prevented repairs in the past was uncertainty of ownership. This partnership approach has got around the problem to everybody's benefit .
Kent Highways Public Rights of Way were so pleased with all the help they received from local residents on the Crowhill path that they pledged to resurface the Rock Road to Staleys footpath as soon as funds were available, and on the 18th March it was done, and a lovely job too!!! PROW are now looking at the possibility of resurfacing the Tilton Rd to Sevenoaks Rd footpath within the next year.
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YOU ARE VISITOR NUMBER:
Isles Quarry New Plans
. PAVILION REPAIRS COMPLETED !!!
WH Simmonds have now completed the Pavilion repairs. Note the extra door on the right for the Officials Changing Room. The toilets are now OPEN everyday from 8.30 until dusk.
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FREE ANIMATED .GIFs
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THE DEATH OF THE DIY VILLAGE? I DON'T THINK SO !!!
"The days of DIY on publicly used facilities are dead and gone - BGPC must work without deviations from the current standards. Charles Willsher, Chairman, BGPC"
I don't know about you, but I love our DIY Village, I am proud of our reputation, and rejoice in our community's unique talents.
These comments are a slur on all the QUALIFIED TRADESMEN who have given their time freely over the years to the community: does a plumber or electrician automatically become unqualified if he doesn't charge? Of course he doesn't : A Parish Council needs to explore every avenue to ensure Best Value.
The people of Borough Green built the Recreation Ground, the Pavilion, the Village Hall, the Skatepark, the Drop-in and the Christmas Lights. We must protect and foster that tradition in the face of attacks by the "Political Correctness" Brigade.Below
Its not always sunny in Borough Green, although it usually feels like it
SCOUTS AND CUBS
We have a new website in town, www.bgscouts.co.uk , a good chance for parents to find out what joining can do for their kids. I know its not too good a recommendation, but I had many happy years in both organisations, but that was when they still wore shorts.
============================For a slightly more humorous look at life, check out Dot & Dave and their collection of animated cartoons.
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SALSA CLASSES AT VILLAGE HALL [more]
More Local Sites
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Borough Green Parish Council bgpc@lineone.net
Cllr Valerie Dagger www.valeriedagger.org.uk
J5 Slips Campaign www.j5slips.org
Ian Bangay's amazing historic photos of Borough Green http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/bgphotos/
Independent Traffic Action Group I-TAG http://www.i-tag.org/
(c) Mike Taylor all pictures unless otherwise stated : feel free to use any images, but if you earn I'd like a share !