Heath Ward

Casework is the name given to all the queries and complaints constituents (or other interested parties) let us know about. Lots of the time, even simple sounding complaints or observations can take a lot of phone calls, emails and chasing of various people to resolve. As can be seen below, this means that we can't always give an instant answer. If you don't see any items here, that you think we should be working on, then it could just be that we don't know about them, so please do get in touch.

Email Julia

New Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)

Peter and Julia are delighted to welcome Mark Wood to Heath Ward. Mark is our new PCSO who will be based on the Oakwood Park complex. Mark will be working closely with Valerie Rowson who covers the wider Heath area.

Oakwood Hospital Community Hall

A very successful (and busy) public meeting was held on the 8th March to discuss plans for the new community hall, currently being built on the Oakwood Hospital development. Residents were given the opportunity to view plans of the hall and surrounding area, ask any questions and offer their ideas for the future of the hall.

Several key issues that were raised were:

QUESTION: How many parking spaces have been allocated for the Hall - the plans show only 4 - is this correct?

ANSWER: The plans that were on view during the meeting were from the original design. However, following comments when the hall gained it's planning permission, it was decided that more spaces were required. Residents were told that we believe 18 spaces have been allocated - we are waiting on final confirmation of this from officers at Maidstone Borough Council.

QUESTION: Will the rat run remain open between Hermitage Lane and Queens Road?

ANSWER: Julia, Peter and Dan Daley (county councillor) have been campaigning hard to ensure that the developers fulfil all their requirements on site including the addition of a barrier blocking the existing rat run. In addition, following several comments at the meeting, Dan and Julia have further requested that some form of barrier or bollards are also placed on the wide pavement to ensure people do not drive around the road barrier. Dan has consulted with Kent County Council (KCC) and has offered to include some of his Councillors allowance (known as a devolved budget) to pay for their installation.

QUESTION: Does the hall have an alcohol license?

ANSWER: AT the moment, no licenses have been granted (or requested) on the premises. There is no management committee of the hall and therefore no one to actually look after the day to day events and running of the hall.

QUESTION: Can I be involved in the management committee?

ANSWER: All are very welcome and we would particularly like local residents to get involved. If interested, please contact Julia [email link here] for further information.

St Andrews Road

Following a spate of vandalism in St Andrews Road, Peter has been promised by Community Safety that the mobile CCTV will be deployed as soon as it becomes available. Unfortunately the demand for these cameras is very high so it maybe a while before it becomes available.

Heath Road

Pressure is being brought to bear on the Council to introduce parking restrictions along Heath Road adjacent to the Heath. This follows a number of incidents last Autumn in which vehicles became "log jammed" during the rush hour. Peter has had one meeting on-site with officers and another is proposed involving County officers in the very near future. Do you have an answer to the problems in Heath Road? If so please write or e-mail Peter explaining what you would do.

Barming Scouts

For those of you who live in the area covered by the Scouts monthly collection of paper, a very big thank you for continuing to leave your paper out for the Scouts. In fact the publicity attached to the introduction of the Council's paper collection has seen a rise in the amount being left out for the Scouts. If you would like to help with this local recycling initiative on the first Saturday of the month, whether it is an hour or more each month or less frequently they would like to hear from you. Please contact Tony Dunn on 01622 728398

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Barming Heath

Following a meeting with senior officers at MBC, the grass has now been cut back fully around the entire perimeter of the heath. Next year, it remains unclear which way the grass will be cut. Either the heath will be kept fully cut, or the small triangle of land on the corner of Springwood/Hermitage will be left to grow wild flowers. This is dependant on the dog bin in this area being moved forward.

In addition to the grass cutting, Julia and Peter have now arranged for the Heath to be cleaned seven days a week, unlike the previous five. We hope you've all noticed and been pleased with the obvious improvements.

Blocked Drains

There have been a number of drains around the ward that have become blocked over the summer months. As we are hearing about them, we are approaching MBC to arrange there unblocking. Please let either Julia or Peter know if you see any causing a problem.

Develoved Budget

The devolved budget is a modest allowance given to each councillor to give out to charity's, worthy causes or to provide facilities for the ward, that he or she wishes to. If you have an idea, or would like some money for your project, please get in touch with Julia to discuss. Julia has spent some of her devolved budget in the following ways:

• £200 to finance a child to go to Hot Foot Plus
• £500 to Blackthorn Trust to help pay for a new storage shed for their Charity shop

Proposed crossing for Hermitage Lane

Peter has now received a response from ther Cabinet member for Highways at the KCC. Whilst he (the Cabinet member) agrees that a crossing would be of benefit in this location he states that it will have to take its place for funding against other schemes. We will keep pressing for action to be taken to make crossing this busy junction safer.

Heath Road congestion

Following a number of complaints Peter met with officers of the Borough Council, the Chairman of Barming Parish Council and reprersentatives of the Bus Company to discuss a solution to the congestion in Heath Road. A large amount of the problem is caused by "rat running" between Tonbridge Road/North Street and Heath Road and the lack of off street parking in the area. It has been suggested that the pathway on the North side of the Heath is removed and a new footpath installed on the Heath itself. This would remove the danger to pedestrians and reduce the congestion but would still leave the problems being caused by "rat running". Peter has received an initial response from the Cabinet member who has stated that the proposed solution will not be considered until all other options have been exhausted. Peter is planning a further meeting of all concerned to try to resolve the issue.

Parking in Bramble Close

The parking area that was agreed for residents of Bramble Close to allow the Victoria Orchard development to take place was sold by the developer to another company earlier this year. Under planning conditions the new owner is obliged to keep the originsal spaces freely available for the use of Bramble Close residents but intends to charge Residents for their use. The Borough Council does not have the power to block the sale of land which is no longer in its ownership but Peter has been assured that lessons have been learnt for the future.

Penny Crescent Gardens

The long standing issue regarding parking restrictions in Penny Crescent Gardens may be close to a final resolution. The notice of traffic orders that the Council intends has been published, if you have any views on the proposal for Penny Crescent Gardens, or indeed any of the other proposals, please respond to the public notices.

Queens Road

Road markings were incorrectly done when the junction was improved at Tonbridge Road. These are due to be corrected shortly.

Following a meeting with two local residents and the Head Teacher at St. Francis School a traffic count and speed has been carried out. Initial results indicate an average speed of 30mph, but with a number of vehichles travelling at speeds well in excess of this especially at keys times of 0800-0900, 1200-1300 and 1500-1600. Peter has passed the results onto the Police and is currently awaiting a response from them.

Bus stop opposite Bramble Lodge - After the road widening of Queens Road, the bus stop was moved back. This resulted in bus drivers being unable to see passengers at bus stop due to weeds, trees and shrubs blocking their view. This small area of land is not actually owned by anyone, therefore neither MBC nor KCC could take responsibility for it. After heavy campaigning, Peter and Julia successfully have had this area cut back, to ensure the safety of all bus users. However, this was just a one off measure, and Peter and Julia continue to campaign to get this added to the regular list of either MBC or KCC.

Trevor Gibbons Unit

Peter has been informed that the lighting conditions that were imposed on the Trevor Gibbons unit at the planning stage are now being adhered to. The conditions were to ensure that the high level security lighting should only be used in the event of an emergency. If you notice the lights being generally in use please let Peter know.

Land to the rear of 59/61 Abingdon Road

The applicant has submitted a further proposal to develop this land, this time a single detached house. This proposal will run alongside the appeal against the Council's refusal to permit the building of two semi-detached houses. At the original hearing of the first application the planning committee indicated that it would be sympathetic to a proposal for a single detached dwelling. Peter has objected to the latest application on the grounds of design saying that if the development is permitted it should be of a design similar to the existing houses in Trellyn Close.

Update.......Planning permission has been granted for a single dwelling.