The Parish Council has reluctantly decided to cancel Santa's visit to Upchurch on 19th December due to the current situation with the pandemic. This is a real disappointment to Father Christmas and all who have worked hard on the event but the safety of Father Christmas and residents is paramount.
Children can be assured that Father Christmas will be visiting all good girls and boys on Christmas Eve as usual and his journey can be tracked by following this link - Santa Tracker
KALC Community Award
The Council will take part in the KALC Community Award scheme to acknowledge and give recognition to a resident/group who has/have made a significant contribution to this community over a period of years. If you know of someone who has given this sort of service and merits an Award then please do nominate them. The person must live or work within the Parish Council boundary.
The winner will receive a certificate signed by the High Sheriff of Kent, KCC Chairman/Mayor of Medway and the KALC Chairman and this will be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
Full details and an application form can be found on the Parish Council website.
The closing date for nominations is Monday 31st January 2022.
Young Person Award
Following the success of the award to a young person who has contributed to the village, the Council will run this again. Full details and an application form can be found on the Parish Council website.
The closing date for nominations is Monday 31st January 2022.
Finance
It was agreed to give a grant of £760 to Holywell School to purchase Jubilee medals for pupils, staff and Governors.
Recreation Ground
A Jubilee oak tree was planted at the Recreation Ground on 9th December.
Defibrillator
A public accessible defibrillator has been installed at Beckenham Park, there is also one outside Snaffles. Both defibrillators are in outdoor cabinets which protects them against heat and frost. The cabinets have locks and the code is obtained from the ambulance service when someone dials 999. It is important to remember that in an emergency you must dial 999 first as this will ensure an ambulance is dispatched immediately and you will then be told where the nearest defibrillator is and the code.
Planning
Ref: 21/505524/FULL
Address: 3 Church Farm Road Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AG
Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension and a side porch.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505558/FULL
Address: 10 Quilters Yard Upchurch, Sittingbourne Kent ME8 8FE
Proposal: Conversion of detached car port into habitable space.
Councillors considered the application and noted that the properties on this development were of different design and layout and that there was adequate parking for this property. Councillors had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505499/FULL
Address: 48 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME8 7XH
Proposal: Demolition of existing rear basement extension, and erection of a single storey rear and side extension to basement and a two storey rear extension to the ground and first floors.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that the views of neighbours must be taken into account.
Ref: 21/505693/LDCEX
Address: Colts Field Poot Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7HJ
Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate to establish the use of a building as a residential dwelling house.
Councillors noted the application.
Ref: 21/505790/FULL
Address: The Dutch Barn Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BE
Proposal: Conversion of an agricultural barn to 2 no. dwellings with amenity and vehicular parking areas.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal. With increased vehicular use, consideration must be given to the maintenance of the road used as a public path.
PIN Ref: APP/A2280/W/21/3274932
Ref: MC/20/1705
Address: Orchard Kennels Meresborough Road Rainham Gillingham Medway ME8 8QJ
Proposal: Outline planning application with some matters reserved (access, appearance, landscaping and scale) for the development of up to 66 residential dwellings with associated parking and landscaped areas - Re-submission of MC/19/0188.
Councillors raised concern about the impact of traffic on the local area and the insufficient infrastructure. With the current conditions on the A2 corridor between the A249 and Medway, objection was raised to any development without improvement in highways.
Councillor Resignation
John Arnold has resigned from the Council due to his impending move from the village. John was thanked for the phenomenal amount of work he has done for the Parish Council and also for the Parish and the tremendous contribution he has made.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 6th January at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19th January at 7:30pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall.
