News & Events

August 5, 2010
Ref: KS/100806

KIG appeal dismissed
Planning Permission refused for rail freight interchange

The Council heard earlier today that the Secretary of State on the advice of the Inspector, having considered all of the evidence for and against KIG, has listened to local people and Maidstone Borough Council and refused planning permission for a strategic rail freight interchange at junction 8 of the M20, Bearsted.

Considering the application and giving evidence to the Public Inquiry required the preparation of complex evidence covering a wide range of areas, which was time consuming and cost the Council £1.4m. Additionally it required considerable input from the local communities, Parish Councils and a range of other local agencies and interest groups, a point the Inspector noted in closing.

The refusal of planning permission recognises the weight of evidence against KIG and removes the threat of this development to the community and the landscape for the future and is welcomed by Maidstone Borough Council.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Chris Garland commented: “This is a great result for the Borough. The Council is keen to attract businesses to Maidstone, but we need to provide high quality jobs for local people and also protect the environment and our rural communities. A wide variety of individuals and groups have supported the Council’s position and I have been very grateful for their contribution. I hope that this will now draw a line under this application and the Council’s longer term planning for the borough can now move ahead.”

Amazingly Norman Dabbs is now in his 74th year.  Having served faithfully at Leeds Church in one office or another since 1977, he has decided that it is time to retire. For the last seven years, following his ordination in Canterbury Cathedral, he has been a much-valued colleague in the Clergy Team to Nigel and myself.  I know that David Brookes also strongly valued his earlier work as a Reader. Speaking personally (and I know that I speak for Nigel as well) I am going to miss his role as pastor and priest enormously. Not only does he take at least one Sunday service a week, he also presides at many baptisms, weddings and funerals. For some years he has been Chaplain to the local Royal British Legion and, most recently, was the Mayor of Maidstone's Chaplain as well. For someone approaching his mid-70s he is an inspiration to many others much younger than himself.  He deserves a restful retirement at long last.

Norman has decided very sensibly that the only way to retire properly is to make it clear that he really is retiring and not 'half retiring'.  So the final public service that he will take is the Remembrance Day Service on November 14. With all his lengthy local contacts and friends he is very conscious that 'half retirement' could soon lead to many 'special' requests to take baptisms, marriages and funerals. So Norman is insisting that after November 14 he really will be retiring fully and will not be taking any more public services. It is very much our loss, but he deserves nothing less after such long and dedicated service.

I am sure that many of you will wish to contribute to a special presentation for Norman. Could you please give this to Nigel or myself. We will be having a special service at Leeds Church for Norman and Jenny at 11am on Sunday October 24th (there will be no service at Hollingbourne that morning) and we will make the presentation afterwards over a glass of wine. I do hope that you will be able to be there for that very special occasion.

Norman thank you for all that you have done for many years. And I hope that you have a splendid and well-earned retirement.

Robin Gill
Priest in Charge, Leeds and Broomfield

There are long-held traditions in Britain of celebrating natural water sources, especially for their life-giving abundance during hot summer months. In Derbyshire especially, wells are decorated with flowers as part of such celebrations.

The tradition in Broomfield of "dressing" the well at the village roadside, and of blessing the spring source on Saint Margaret’s day, began in about 1990. Saint Margaret of Antioch is patron of the village church and her festival is on July 20. The roadside well came into use before 1600 as Broomfield villagers’ main, reliable water supply.

This year the festival was celebrated on Sunday 25th July, the well having been dressed with flowers by the verger, Derek Hadlow. The photograph shows Revd. Norman Dabbs, centre, with Cannon Robin Gill conducting part of the Sunday service at the well, with a dozen children from nearby Kingswood and 35 others. Derek is on the right.  Norman’s retirement as priest in the parish of Leeds and Broomfield was announced at the service.  Music accompanying hymn-singing at the well was provided by Peter Roberts on guitar.

The congregation enjoyed refreshments at Saint Margaret’s after the service.

Yet again picturesque Leeds Village was a victim of the over-weight vehicle - an all too common occurrence.  They cause our houses to rattle, cause damage to our village and property and cause inconvenience to us all.  It's got to stop.

Local resident, Antonia Graham reported on today's incident which left bus passengers terrified.

"July 13th, about 1.30pm I became aware of the change in the normal, constant rumble of day time traffic through our village. Upon investigation I find an over weight HGV literally ploughing it’s way past the 13 bus, shaking it to the screams of the poor passengers, pensioners and very young toddlers within, sandwiched between it and the high wall. Amazingly he works his way through after a series of unforgiving scrapes.

No sooner had this horror subsided and the smirking driver of the HGV cowardly continued on his journey, another overweight HGV merrily hurtles past Foley Hill corner and attempts to pass the stationed bus, again with a smirking driver. To the amazement of us all he tries to edge his way past until he gets wedged in a cloud of fumes from an exhausted clutch.  At last the sounds of police sirens and we can heave a sigh of relief in the naïve hope that maybe this time Kent Highways will start to review our traffic problems."

"I would like a total lorry ban to start with (as suggested by a 17.5 ton lorry driver stuck in the long tail backs. He says it’s a short-cut road too tempting not to take but knows very well that it’s not suitable for any heavy traffic and would rather not be allowed along it)."

Don't forget we want to receive all your sightings of over-weights.  You can report them here on the website.  All reports are forwarded on to the police.  Nothing ever seems to get done, but all your reports add up and help strengthen our case for some action to reduce this menace.

Damage was caused to a property in Leeds by a vehicle mounting the curb and crashing into the wall of a cottage.

The accident happened at 4am in the morning of 5th June along a notorious bend on the B2163 which runs through the quaint village of Leeds in Kent.

Luckily the owners were away on holiday at the time, but sadly had to return to damage estimated at around £15,000.  The fabric of the building has been disturbed and there is a crack running through the brickwork.

Ashbank, or as locals know it, 'Crash Bang Corner', is a common victim of the speeding motorist, who often take the bend too fast.

Poor Leeds, its lovely old buildings and thoroughfare, its battle scars, be it from property damage, ripped up bollards and bent lamp posts all show this is an over used cut through not designed for today's volume of traffic.

YOGA CLASSES are being held in Leeds Memorial Hall every Monday evening from 6pm to 7pm by Jan Palmer who is a B.W.Y. trained teacher.

As at October 2009 our class is full, but if you would like up-to-date information or to go on the waiting list, please contact :-

Sadie Curtis, co-ordinator on 01622 861645
or
Jan Palmer, our Yoga teacher on 01622 755206

For forthcoming dates, see the Diary page.