Upchurch Parish Council Report October 2011

The Parish Council met on Thursday 1^st September in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 7 Councillors were present and 18 members of the public.

Public Time – Road repairs in Oak Lane – A resident reported that repairs to a section of Oak Lane had been non-effective. This will be referred to Highways. Vehicles speeding through Crosier Court – A resident expressed concerns about this. Access into Holywell Lane from Forge Lane – A resident reported that this was becoming more dangerous as visibility around the bend was being obstructed by the hedges. This will be referred to Highways. Rural Needs Housing – Several residents expressed concerns about the site in Forge Lane opposite the school as a proposed site for this scheme. 

Planning - The following applications were considered:

SW/11/0885 Sandyridge, 61 Horsham Lane – Extension to side of house to provide 1 reception room and bedroom. No objections.

SW/11/0749 32 Wallbridge Lane – Single storey pitched roof extension to rear of house. No objections but they commented that the views of the adjacent property owners should be given due consideration.

SW/11/0867 Four Gun Field, Otterham Quay Lane – Formation of areas of hardstanding, siting of wheel spinner, CCTV cameras and stanchion. There were strong objections to this site being used as a concrete crushing plant because of its close proximity to 130 houses on the Pear Tree Estate, 15 in Kent Terrace and 2 at Mackland Cottages. They made the following observations: a) if the use of the wheel spinner is for cleaning lorry wheels, the location should be adjacent to the hardstanding, not further into the site where they could be contaminated again before exiting via the gateway. b) The location and height of the CCTV camera and stanchion are an invasion of privacy for the residents of the Pear Tree Estate causing some of them having to install blinds to all their windows.  The CCTV cameras should be positioned so as to view only the site. Inspection of the site indicates that there is room for quick growing trees, e.g. poplars, to be planted outside the fence, which would also help to minimise the noise and dust.

SW/11/0925 the Oast, Holywell Lane – Single storey rear extension with room in loft area. No objections.

SW/11/0949 79 Chaffes Lane – Retrospective application for amendments to scheme approved under SW/10/0762 comprising additional bedroom and en-suite in loft space together with roof lights and light tube in roof slopes, barn hip to rear gable and porthole window to garden room. Members commented that the lights were out of place in a rural setting and unnecessary. Also, there were objections to the extra height of the property.

SW/11/1027 Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane – Removal of condition (7) of planning permission SW/08/07 to allow permanent occupation of 3 mobile homes for gypsy family – Cllr New is drafting an objection to this proposal.

SW/11/1020 18 Horsham Lane – Demolition of existing conservatory and existing rear extension and erection of new single storey pitched roof extension – Cllr New is reviewing this proposal.

APP/V2255/A/11/2157895 Oastfields, Stud & Livery, Track off Holywell Lane – Change of use from private stables to stud farm and livery yard including the erection of foaling boxes and the stationing of one mobile home for residential accommodation in association with the stud farm and livery business. Members were advised that this was refused permission by Swale BC on 28 June 2011 and an appeal has been lodged against this decision. Cllr New is drafting a response.

Permission refused:

SW/11/0623/4 The Cart Lodge, Chaffes Lane – Listed building consent for provision of Oak Timber doors to enclose present parking area & 3 conservation style rooflights on the rear elevation.

Permission granted:

SW/11/0600 92 Oak Lane – two storey side extension to provide new bedroom and wash room.

SW/11/0655 The Barnyard, Gore Farm – Extension to marquee and erection of toilet block

SW/11/0653 Field to rear of 32/62 Hartlip Hill – Change of use of land for the keeping of four horses and a 1.2m high fence.

Other Planning matters – Rural Needs Housing – Alison Thompson from English Rural Housing Association had advised that the Landowner of the site in Forge Lane opposite the school, was currently looking at the terms of the existing tenancy agreement on the land. With regards to providing parking for residents in The Street, she explained that they would need to look at the financial feasibility of this and also seek the views of planners.


Finance – Grass Matting vandalised under the new basket swing – Two mats have been replaced at a cost of £160 + VAT. This matting is fitted for safety reasons, please respect this. Village Hall Asbestos Problem – A letter from the Village Hall Management Committee requesting a contribution towards the cost of removal of asbestos, the cleaning or disposal of contaminated equipment and the replacement of fire-protection. A sub-committee will meet to discuss this financial request. Also, it was requested whether the Council would consider including a sum in the precept, annually towards the operation of the Village Hall. Members have decided to discuss this request at the Annual Parish Meeting in 2012 before making a decision.


Allotments and Recreation Ground – Recreation Ground Car Park - It was agreed to accept a quote from J Strevens to the sum of £1,950 +VAT for relaying the tarmac in a section of the car park. Tree Work in Recreation Ground – It was agreed to accept the quote from Lindsay & Company to the sum of £155 for removal of the dead horse chestnut.


Paddock – Footballs being kicked into Oak Lane – It was reported that there was a hole in the fencing around the Paddock, opposite the homes in Oak Lane. This will be repaired as soon as possible. Footballers are encouraged to use the Recreation Ground or to move into the centre of the Paddock.

Environment – Broadband speeds – It is hoped to set up a committee to investigate the options available. Please do let the Clerk know if you would like to join this committee. Clean-up day – This will be held in May 2012.


Highways - Traffic Calming Horsham Lane adjacent to entrance of Woodruff Close – An email from a resident expressing concerns. The Clerk will contact Highways explaining that a scheme to reduce speeds along Horsham Lane was prepared approx 10 years ago but has never been implemented. Vehicles speeding through Crosier Court to access Small Profits – Cllr Catford and Cllr Arnold have met with the agent of the site to discuss the concerns of residents. It is expected that the construction works at the site would continue for another 5 weeks and the Council were advised to record the number plates of any vehicles found to be speeding.


Next meetings – 6^th October and 3^rd November, at 7.30pm in the Hall of Holywell School.

 Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk           www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk


Upchurch Parish Council
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Upchurch Scout Group Volunteers Needed

Do you fancy a new rewarding challenge ? 

Upchurch Scout Group needs volunteers. Our Beaver Leader is stepping up to run Cubs in January and we will need to find some volunteers to help run the beaver section in his place. Without some fresh help Beavers, another valuable village resource, may struggle to stay open. As a leader you will be spending time with children aged between 5 and 8 years of age.

If you fancy a new rewarding challenge please join our merry band of volunteers. You will have support of a whole group of people and training so you are not left to fend for yourself. The children are brilliant fun to spend time with. In the last few years we have been camping, visited places of interests, made craft items, supported the local pantomime, raised money for charity, learnt pioneering skills and obtained many badges.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older (no upper age limit, so we warmly welcome those of you that have retired). You do not have to have any children within the group, just a willingness to volunteer. Every little helps as the saying goes so if you want to become a leader, can only spare time now and again or have a special skill or interest that you can share with the group once a year please phone Darren Hatcher (Beaver Leader) on:  01634 373313 for more information.

Rozz Dyett

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Destiny Africa Children's Choir Concert

Come along to St. Mary's on the 2nd.

The concert will be full of energy and colour and includes African drumming and dancing as well as singing. The children are all orphans who have been rescued from horrific situations and now live at Kampala Children's Centre in Uganda. The smiles tell the story.


Don't miss this exciting evening ! 7pm Sunday the 2nd of October at St. Mary's Church Upchurch.


Tickets £5 or £3 for uder 12s. To book tickets in advance Contact:  rosie.liddell@talk21.com  Any remaining tickets will be available on the door.


Website:  www.destinyafrica.org


Rosie Liddell
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Produce Sale at St. Margaret's

Come along on the 17th for the final sale of the summer.

St. Margaret's Church Lower Halstow is holding its final Produce Sale and Crafts of the summer on Saturday the 17th of September from 10:00am to 12:30pm.


Join us for a wide selection of home grown and home made produce, books, plants and local crafts.

Refreshments available and a warm welcome.


Elizabeth Mouland

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carocol.weebly.com

Please visit David's new site.

Local author and Upchurch resident David Wood has a new website  carocol.weebly.com  The site is made up of 15 of his travel stories from around the world covering the period 1980 to 2011.

You can also access 50+ photos at the bottom of the homepage although eventually these will be replaced with better quality pictures of similar size.

All the sories are based on David's real life experiences.

Upchurch Matters

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Friends of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin

The trust launches on the 8th of October.

A small group of like minded people have come together who share a common view that this historic church should be maintained for the benefit of generations to come, as it has been for over 700 years.

Where historic buildings form part of our heritage it is desirable to sustain and enhance them – this is certainly true of this church. By doing we will seek to contribute to our knowledge and understanding of local history and the past by capturing evidence from the church and making this information more publicly available.

The small group have therefore formed a charity for this purpose which I will refer to as ‘The Friends’. We shall be launching the scheme in the church on Saturday the 8^th of October from 9 am – this will coincide with the regular porch sale. Current members of the Trustees will be available to explain the charity and give mini guided tours of the church. Accompanied children will be able to take part in a quiz. Refreshments will be available.

We would like YOU to become a member of “The Friends” charity through annual membership. Further details including a membership application form can be obtained from me on:

Tel: 01634 366113 or Email: lewing135@tiscali.co.uk

Gerry Lewin - Chairman of ‘The Friends’
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