Times of Tunbridge Wells 16th December 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

ADVERTISING FEATURE

All the news that matters Local, National and International

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Wednesday 16th Dec

ember 2015

LOCAL NEWS 7

Adam Wells

newsdesk@timesoft

unbridgewells.co.uk

A HAUNT for deer

hunters in Norma

n times,

Ashdown Forest is

an ancient area of

tranquil

heathland that sits a

top the highest sandy

ridge in

the heart of the High

Weald.

Nearly a century ago

, it was immortalised

in print

as Winnie the Pooh

s 100 Acre Wood.

Nowadays, the 6,50

0 acre forest is a

place of

conservation, not hu

nting.

On warm summer e

venings, one might

hear the

distinctive, mechani

cal churring of th

e nightjar,

glimpsing its mottl

ed plumage as it h

awks for

insects at dusk.

Or perhaps you mig

ht spy the long tai

l of the

Dartford Warbler, pic

tured right, on the h

eathland.

But such sights an

d sounds could di

sappear

forever if new hous

ing developments ar

e allowed

nearby.

To protect these bir

ds from increases in

visitor

and road traffic, the

forest is a designate

d Special

Protection Area and

Special Area of Con

servation.

Any significant deve

lopments within a 7

km radius

can only be agreed if

strict mitigating me

asures are

taken.

Tunbridge Wells Bo

rough Council (TWB

C) had

previously seen no n

eed to draw up such

measures

given the slight imp

act their planned de

velopment

would have on the ar

ea.

But recent central go

vernment pressure m

eans

Saving famous Winn

ie the Poohs

100 Acre Wood from

the builders

100 ACRE WOOD

A scene from Winnie

the Pooh

NEWS IN BRIEF

Talks to buy church

on Highgate Hill

HAWKHURST Parish

council has agreed t

o

enter into negotiatio

ns to buy the All Sain

ts

church on Highgate

Hill.

As reported by the Tim

es last month, the

council has been cons

idering acquiring the s

ite

with a view to develop

ing a new community

centre there. A feasib

ility study has been

recommended as the

most appropriate nex

t

step, with mortgage a

pplications to follow

soon after. Quotes fro

m Lambert & Foster,

Freeman Forman and S

avills will be sought.

3K grilles price-tag

PADDOCK Wood Tow

n Council has been

quoted 3,100 to ha

ve steel grilles fi tted

across the veranda o

f the Memorial Pavil

ion.

The pavilion door wa

s kicked in by vandal

s

on the weekend of N

ovember 21-22.

Following the incide

nt, the estates

manager visited the

scene with police and

secured the building

. Despite a forensic

team checking the b

uilding, no evidence

was found to identify

the culprits.

Council loses war gran

t

THE Commonwealth

War Graves

Commission has wri

tten to Paddock Wood

Town Council to advis

e it will no longer

paying the authority

an annual grant.

Every year the counc

il receives 120 for

the upkeep of the war

graves in the Old

Churchyard, but afte

r a recent visit the CW

GC

has deemed that no fu

rther work was neede

d

to maintain them.

the councils

target of 6,000 new

homes by 2026 coul

d

treble, and it now say

s

it is very possible th

at

circumstances may

change

in the near future so

that there is a greate

r impact.

Councillors have di

scussed the need to

be able to

deal with new develo

pments as and when

they come

forward in, or, in th

e case of a significa

ntly large

expansion not alrea

dy covered in our

allocations

dpd, close to the 7km

zone.

Roy Galley, chair of

the Conservators of

Ashdown

Forest, told the Tim

es: The board has n

ever taken

an official stance on

this, but as a genera

l principle

we would like devel

opments near the for

est to be as

limited as possible.

The birds are imp

ortant, but theyre

not the

only part. The more

vehicles, the more

emissions

that change the h

abitat. If you get

too much

nitrogen, different p

lants develop, and w

ere keen

to preserve the low

land heath. Theres

very little

left in the UK.

We have a rare and

special landscape a

nd heritage

and it would be a

great shame if bui

lders and

developers were allo

wed to come and dest

roy that.

Wealden District C

ouncil recently p

roposed

increasing the 7km z

one to 15km, a move

TWBC have

opposed as it woul

d have a very signifi

cant effect

on development wit

hin Tunbridge Wells

Borough.

Mr Galley added:

Im a great suppor

ter of the

present governmen

t, but their obses

sion with

housing means that

some of our special g

reen areas

are under threat.

Other than whats

already planned,

we dont

really want any othe

r development here.

46 MOTORS

THE Skoda Superb a

rrives in third gene

ration

guise, looking sharp

and tilting at some

big

names. Andy Enrigh

t reports

TEN SECOND ROUND U

P

Skodas Superb gets

a smart new suit, a

slicker chassis and

better engines. The

weird

twin-opening hatch

is replaced by a mo

re

conventional rear ap

erture but theres st

ill

more space inside th

an in some London

starter

homes and the pric

ing remains sensible

.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Skodas been dipping

into the almost unli

mited

largesse of the Volks

wagen Group to bring

us some mouthwater

ing engine and gearb

ox

combinations with t

his latest Superb. The

re

was a time when Sko

da was just given the

cast-

offs, the engines that

were in the final yea

rs of

production, while Au

di and VW got the sh

iny

new technology. Tha

ts not the case any l

onger,

with the Superb gett

ing petrol engines lik

e the

excellent downsized

124bhp 1.4 and even

a

monster 2.0-litre turb

o with 276bhp, four-

wheel

drive and a dual-clu

tch DSG gearbox. In b

etween

those extremes, petr

ol folk get to choose

between a 148bhp ve

rsion of the 1.4-litre T

SI unit

and a DSG-only 218b

hp 2.0-litre TSI varian

t.

Go diesel and youre l

ooking at 148bhp an

d

187bhp 2.0-litre TDI e

ngines with six-spee

d

manual or DSG boxe

s. Both of these engi

nes

are also available wit

h all-wheel drive opt

ions.

Dealers will also take

orders for a super-fr

ugal

118bhp 1.6-litre Green

Line version emitting

just 96g/km of CO2.

A plug-in hybrid like

the

VW Passat GTE is al

so on the cards. Adap

tive

dampers are an optio

n and the adaptive d

rive

mode can also adjus

t the weighting of the

electrically-assisted s

teering. The torsiona

l

rigidity of the chassi

s increases by 12%, y

et

weight is down by 75

kg for a body-in-whit

e,

due to the strategic u

se of high-tensile ste

els

where required. The

clever MQB chassis,

which

underpins the Volksw

agen Golf and Passa

t, is

used here in its long

est guise to date.

Wednesday 16th Dec

ember 2015

PERFORMANCE

HANDLING

COMFORT

STYLING

VALUE

ECONOMY

INSURANCE

TOTAL

PROFILE

SPACE

BUILD

EQUIPMENT

DEPRECIATION

Source: www.caranddriving.com

OVERALL

SCORE:

85%

Compared to

a Mondeo or a

Mazda6, a Superb

represents a very

different take on

the theme

zone climate control,

a 10-speaker CANTON

sound system and p

iano black decorative

inserts. Thats on top

of Blind spot detectio

n,

Lane assist, Park ass

ist, the KESSY keyles

s

entry and start syste

m, a TV tuner and on

e of

those boot opening s

ystems where you wa

ve

your foot under a sen

sor to open the tailgat

e.

This latter feature se

ems like a good idea

in

theory but weve yet

to come across one th

at

works when caked w

ith road grime.

SUMMARY

The Skoda Superb lo

oks the part, making

it ever easier to conv

ince those whose

car views are at lea

st a decade out of

date that a Skoda d

eserves a place on

your shortlist if you

re in the market fo

r a

medium-ranger. Com

pared to a Mondeo

or a Mazda6, a Supe

rb represents a very

different take on the

theme. The Mazda i

s a

pin-sharp drive, the

Mondeo tries to ble

nd

size and sprightline

ss, but the Superb

makes no real prete

nce at sportiness,

instead offering a re

assuring heft and

vault-like build qua

lity.

Giving Skoda a name

Czech

MARKET AND MODEL

Expect to pay from ar

ound 18,500 if you

want your Superb in

saloon form - or arou

nd

20,000 if you want

to order the car as an

estate. Diesel power

requires a premium

of

around 1,500 over t

he petrol alernative.

As

for trim, well even th

e base Superb S mod

els

get a decent run at t

he equipment list. He

re

youll find alloy whe

els, air conditioning,

LED rear lights, DAB

digital radio and a

touchscreen infotainm

ent system. A Multi-

Collision brake set-u

p triggers automatic

brake intervention u

pon detection of a

collision. The SE mod

els start from just

over 21,000 and ad

d 17-inch Helios alloy

wheels, dual-zone air

conditioning, rear

parking sensors and

cornering front fog

lights. The SEs impr

essive specification

also includes Adaptiv

e Cruise Control

(ACC) and SmartLink

- a system that allow

s

smartphone owners t

o show their phones

display on the cars i

nfotainment screen.

Step up to the SE L E

xecutive models

and youll find that t

hey feature even

more premium equip

ment, including

Bi-Xenon headlights w

ith AFS and LED

daytime running ligh

ts, leather upholster

y

with heated seats an

d Columbus satellite

navigation with 8-inc

h touchscreen. Then

there are 18-inch Zen

ith alloy wheels, an

electrically operated b

oot and Drive mode

selection. The top La

urin & Klement mod

el

gets the options list fu

lly emptied into it, wi

th

18-inch Pegasus anth

racite alloy wheels, tr

i-


a 10-speaker CANTON


a 10-speaker CANTON

sound system and p

iano black decorative



n,



n,



s



s



e of



e of



e of


ystems where you wa

ve


ystems where you wa

ve



e.



e.



in



in

theory but weve yet


at

theory but weve yet


at

works when caked w

ith road grime.

works when caked w

ith road grime.

SUMMARYSUMMARY

The Skoda Superb lo


The Skoda Superb lo



ince those whose


ince those whose


st a decade out of


st a decade out of

date that a Skoda d

eserves a place on

date that a Skoda d

eserves a place on


re in the market fo

r a


re in the market fo

r a

medium-ranger. Com

pared to a Mondeo

medium-ranger. Com

pared to a Mondeo

or a Mazda6, a Supe


or a Mazda6, a Supe



theme. The Mazda i

s a


theme. The Mazda i

s a


Mondeo tries to ble

nd


Mondeo tries to ble

nd


ss, but the Superb


ss, but the Superb

makes no real prete

nce at sportiness,

makes no real prete

nce at sportiness,


assuring heft and


assuring heft and

vault-like build qua

lity.vault-like

build quality.

Giving Skoda a name

Czech

gets the options list fu

lly emptied into it, wi

th

Your FREE

NewspaperAll the

news that mat

ters

Local,

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nternational

Wednesday, Decemb

er 16, 2015

OF TUNBRIDGE

WELLS

INSIDE

CHARITYCan you h

elp nurses providing

palliative care?

PAGE 5

TOWN CENTRE

Curzon cinema plans

at an

advanced stage

PAGE 2

CONSERVATION

Historic 100 Acre Wo

od under

threat from builder

s

PAGE 7

FATAL CRASH

Tributes to dad who

died

in car accident

PAGE 3

GROUND

CONTROL TO

MAJOR TIM

Page 9

SIR DAVIDS

REEF

ENCOUNTER

Pages 42-43

20-PAGE

PROPERTY

GUIDE INSIDE

Page 21Splendid

Georgian house

with contempora

ry styling

HIGHLANDS HO

USE

WILLOW WENTS

, MEREWORTH

2,850,000

REFURBIS

HED to the highest

standard, this sup

erb double

fronted Georgian p

roperty

boasts generous ac

commodation

and extremely pret

ty gardens.

Highlands House h

as an attached form

er coach

house, suitable for

a large home office

, and

there is also a detac

hed two-bedroom c

ottage.

The property sits i

n a commanding

position within its

grounds and is

conveniently locat

ed, being a short d

rive

from West Malling

train station. It ha

s been

meticulously resto

red and modernise

d by

the current owner

s and is immacula

tely

presented througho

ut. Original feature

s

include multi-pane

led interior doors,

sash

windows with wor

king shutters, deep

skirting

boards, high ceilin

gs with cornice an

d ceiling

roses, and even a

plaque dated 1863

.

Ground floor acco

mmodation includ

es a

sitting room, draw

ing room, study, p

layroom,

dining room, mag

nificent conservat

ory,

contemporary kitch

en/breakfast room

, utility

room and cloakroo

ms. On the first flo

or there

are six bedrooms,

two of which are en

-suite

and one featuring

a dressing room, a

s well as

a family bathroom.

Further stairs lead

s up to

an observatory.

The former coach

house is attached

to the

main house and pr

ovides garaging as

well as

a utility room, gam

es room and office

. There

is also a carport, v

arious store rooms

and a

fully modernised t

wo-bedroom cottag

e.

22 PROPERTY

Wednesday 16th D

ecember 2015

Splendid Georgia

n house

with contempora

ry styling

HIGHLANDS HO

USE

WILLOW WENTS

, MEREWORTH

2,850,000

the highest

erb double

boasts generous ac

commodation

and extremely pret

ty gardens.

Highlands House h

as an attached form

er coach

house, suitable for

a large home office

, and

also a detached tw

o-bedroom cottage

.

d, being a short dri

ve

from West Malling

train station. It ha

s been

meticulously resto

red and modernise

d by

the current owner

s and is immacula

tely

presented througho

ut. Original feature

s

include multi-pane

led interior doors,

sash

windows with wor

king shutters, deep

skirting

boards, high ceilin

gs with cornice an

d ceiling

roses, and even a

plaque dated 1863

.

Ground floor acco

mmodation includ

es a

sitting room, draw

ing room, study, p

layroom,

dining room, mag

nificent conservat

ory,

contemporary kitch

en/breakfast room

, utility

room and cloakroo

ms. On the first flo

or there

are six bedrooms,

two of which are en

-suite

and one featuring

a dressing room, a

s well as

a family bathroom.

Further stairs lead

s up to

an observatory.

The former coach

house is attached

to the

main house and pr

ovides garaging as

well as

a utility room, gam

es room and office

. There

is also a carport, v

arious store rooms

and a

fully modernised t

wo-bedroom cottag

e.

Wednesday 16th December 2015

Heading for the high-life

at Highlands House

Pages 22-23

Boars Head farm

with equestrian centre

Pages 24-25

Beautiful family home

in Langton Green

Page 29

Distinctive bungalow

comes with studio

Page 30SPONSORED BY:

WEST KENTS ULTIMATE PROPER

TY GUIDE FREE EVERY WEDNESD

AY

A MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKIN

G TO BUY, LET OR SELL

WIT

H T

HE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND SEVEN

OAKS

HEALTHY

CHRISTMAS

TREATS

Pages 44-45

Plans to demolish D

airy Crest landmark

for 58 homesPlease p

reserve this part

of our towns histor

y

SIR DAVIDS

ENCOUNTER

Pages 42-43

HEALTHY

CHRISTMAS

TREATS

Pages 44-45

SIR DAVIDS

ENCOUNTER

By Adam Wells

newsdesk@timesoft

unbridgewells.co.uk

PLANS to demolish

a prominent and

important

local landmark and

build 58 homes in

its place

could be approved a

t a planning commi

ttee meet-

ing today, Wednesda

y.

Approval for the pr

oposed developmen

t on the

Dairy Crest depot

site in St Johns w

ould come

despite fierce criticis

m from residents an

d busi-

ness owners, who are

due to voice opposit

ion at the

meeting.

Referring to the fo

rmer Methodist ch

apel the

depot occupies, the

borough councils

2013 site

allocation documen

t included the requir

ement that

any development on

the site shall retain a

nd reuse

potential local herita

ge assets.

But this requirement

was removed last ye

ar, and

the council officer w

ho recommended the

appli-

cation be granted p

lanning permission

cited sub-

stantial public ben

efits and exceptiona

l circum-

stances as justifica

tion for causing si

gnificant

harm to this asset.

Janet Sturgis, chairm

an of the Royal Tun

bridge

Wells Civic Society, s

aid: We want the de

velopers

to preserve that part

icular part of Tunbri

dge

Wells history. It do

esnt mean they

cant build flats arou

nd it.

Turn to page 3


was removed last ye

ar, and


was removed last ye

ar, and

the council officer w

ho recommended the

appli-

cation be granted p

lanning permission

cited sub-

stantial public ben

efits and exceptiona

l circum-

stances as justifica

tion for causing si

gnificant

Janet Sturgis, chairm

an of the Royal Tun

bridge

Wells Civic Society, s

aid: We want the de

velopers

to preserve that part

icular part of Tunbri

dge

Wells history. It do

esnt mean they

cant build flats arou

nd it.

see your regular paper insideWednesda

y 16th December 201

5

LOCAL NEWS 7

Or perhaps you mig

ht spy the long tai

l of the

Dartford Warbler, pic

tured right, on the h

eathland.

But such sights an

d sounds could di

sappear

forever if new hous

ing developments ar

e allowed

To protect these bir

ds from increases in

visitor

and road traffic, the

forest is a designate

d Special

Protection Area and

Special Area of Con

servation.

Any significant deve

lopments within a 7

km radius

can only be agreed if

strict mitigating me

asures are

Tunbridge Wells Bo

rough Council (TWB

C) had

previously seen no n

eed to draw up such

measures

given the slight imp

act their planned de

velopment

But recent central go

vernment pressure m

eans

Saving famous Winn

ie the Poohs

100 Acre Wood from

the builders

NEWS IN BRIEF

Talks to buy church

on Highgate Hill

HAWKHURST Parish

council has agreed t

o

enter into negotiatio

ns to buy the All Sain

ts

church on Highgate

Hill.

As reported by the Tim

es last month, the

council has been cons

idering acquiring the s

ite

with a view to develop

ing a new community

centre there. A feasib

ility study has been

recommended as the

most appropriate nex

t

step, with mortgage a

pplications to follow

soon after. Quotes fro

m Lambert & Foster,

Freeman Forman and S

avills will be sought.

3K grilles price-tag

PADDOCK Wood Tow

n Council has been

quoted 3,100 to ha

ve steel grilles fi tted

across the veranda o

f the Memorial Pavil

ion.

The pavilion door wa

s kicked in by vandal

s

on the weekend of N

ovember 21-22.

Following the incide

nt, the estates

manager visited the

scene with police and

secured the building

. Despite a forensic

team checking the b

uilding, no evidence

was found to identify

the culprits.

Council loses war gran

t

THE Commonwealth

War Graves

Commission has wri

tten to Paddock Wood

Town Council to advis

e it will no longer

paying the authority

an annual grant.

Every year the counc

il receives 120 for

the upkeep of the war

graves in the Old

Churchyard, but afte

r a recent visit the CW

GC

has deemed that no fu

rther work was neede

d

to maintain them.

the councils

target of 6,000 new

homes by 2026 coul

d

treble, and it now say

s

it is very possible th

at

circumstances may

change

in the near future so

that there is a greate

r impact.

Councillors have di

scussed the need to

be able to

deal with new develo

pments as and when

they come

forward in, or, in th

e case of a significa

ntly large

expansion not alrea

dy covered in our

allocations

dpd, close to the 7km

zone.

Roy Galley, chair of

the Conservators of

Ashdown

Forest, told the Tim

es: The board has n

ever taken

an official stance on

this, but as a genera

l principle

we would like devel

opments near the for

est to be as



The birds are imp

ortant, but theyre

not the

The birds are imp

ortant, but theyre

not the

only part. The more

vehicles, the more

emissions

only part. The more

vehicles, the more

emissions

that change the h

abitat. If you get

too much

that change the h

abitat. If you get

too much



ere keen



ere keen

to preserve the low

land heath. Theres

very little

to preserve the low

land heath. Theres

very little

left in the UK.

left in the UK.

We have a rare and

special landscape a

nd heritage

We have a rare and

special landscape a

nd heritage

and it would be a

great shame if bui

lders and

and it would be a

great shame if bui

lders and



roy that.



roy that.

Wealden District C

ouncil recently p

roposed

Wealden District C

ouncil recently p

roposed


one to 15km, a move

TWBC have


one to 15km, a move

TWBC have

opposed as it woul


cant effect

opposed as it woul


cant effect

on development wit

hin Tunbridge Wells

Borough.

on development wit

hin Tunbridge Wells

Borough.

Mr Galley added:

Im a great suppor

ter of the

Mr Galley added:

Im a great suppor

ter of the

present governmen

t, but their obses

sion with

present governmen

t, but their obses

sion with

housing means that


reen areas

housing means that


reen areas

are under threat.

are under threat.

Other than whats

already planned,

we dont

Other than whats

already planned,

we dont


r development here.


r development here.

Wednesday 16th Dec

ember 2015

Heading for the hig

h-life

at Highlands House

Pages 22-23

Boars Head farm

with equestrian cen

tre

Pages 24-25

Beautiful family ho

me

in Langton Green

Page 29

Distinctive bungalo

w

comes with studio

Page 30

SPONSORED BY:

WEST KENTS ULT

IMATE PROPERTY G

UIDE FREE EVERY

WEDNESDAY

A MUST READ FOR

THOSE LOOKING

TO BUY, LET OR SE

LL

WIT

H T

HE

OF TUNBRIDGE W

ELLS AND SEVENO

AKS

The Zo ring

76/78 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YBTel. 01892 534018 | Fax. 01892 510536

Email. [email protected] | www.gcollinsandsons.com

When two halves meetDesigned by Josh Collins

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Your FREE

Newspaper

All the news that matters Local, National and InternationalWednesday, December 16, 2015

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

INSIDE

CHARITYCan you help nurses providing palliative care?

PAGE 5

TOWN CENTRECurzon cinema plans at an advanced stage

PAGE 2

CONSERVATIONHistoric 100 Acre Wood under threat from builders

PAGE 7

FATAL CRASHTributes to dad who diedin car accident

PAGE 3

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TIM

Page 9

SIR DAVIDS REEF

ENCOUNTER Pages 42-43

20-PAGEPROPERTY

GUIDE INSIDEPage 21 Splendid

Georgian house with contemporary styling

HIGHLANDS HOUSE WILLOW WENTS, MEREWORTH

2,850,000

REFURBISHED to the highest

standard, this superb double

fronted Georgian property

boasts generous accommodation

and extremely pretty gardens.

Highlands House has an attached former coach

house, suitable for a large home office, and

there is also a detached two-bedroom cottage.

The property sits in a commanding

position within its grounds and is

conveniently located, being a short drive

from West Malling train station. It has been

meticulously restored and modernised by

the current owners and is immaculately

presented throughout. Original features

include multi-paneled interior doors, sash

windows with working shutters, deep skirting

boards, high ceilings with cornice and ceiling

roses, and even a plaque dated 1863.

Ground floor accommodation includes a

sitting room, drawing room, study, playroom,

dining room, magnificent conservatory,

contemporary kitchen/breakfast room, utility

room and cloakrooms. On the first floor there

are six bedrooms, two of which are en-suite

and one featuring a dressing room, as well as

a family bathroom. Further stairs leads up to

an observatory.The former coach house is attached to the

main house and provides garaging as well as

a utility room, games room and office. There

is also a carport, various store rooms and a

fully modernised two-bedroom cottage.

22 PROPERTY


Splendid Georgian house with contemporary styling

HIGHLANDS HOUSE WILLOW WENTS, MEREWORTH

2,850,000

the highest

ndard, this superb double

boasts generous accommodation

and extremely pretty gardens.

Highlands House has an attached former coach

house, suitable for a large home office, and

also a detached two-bedroom cottage.

conveniently located, being a short drive

from West Malling train station. It has been

meticulously restored and modernised by

the current owners and is immaculately

presented throughout. Original features

include multi-paneled interior doors, sash

windows with working shutters, deep skirting

boards, high ceilings with cornice and ceiling

roses, and even a plaque dated 1863.

Ground floor accommodation includes a

sitting room, drawing room, study, playroom,

dining room, magnificent conservatory,

contemporary kitchen/breakfast room, utility

room and cloakrooms. On the first floor there

are six bedrooms, two of which are en-suite

and one featuring a dressing room, as well as

a family bathroom. Further stairs leads up to

an observatory.The former coach house is attached to the

main house and provides garaging as well as

a utility room, games room and office. There

is also a carport, various store rooms and a

fully modernised two-bedroom cottage.


Heading for the high-lifeat Highlands HousePages 22-23Boars Head farm

with equestrian centrePages 24-25

Beautiful family homein Langton Green

Page 29

Distinctive bungalowcomes with studio

Page 30

SPONSORED BY:

WEST KENTS ULTIMATE PROPERTY GUIDE FREE EVERY WEDNESDAYA MUST READ FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUY, LET OR SELL

WIT

H T

HE

OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND SEVENOAKS

HEALTHY CHRISTMAS

TREATS Pages 44-45

Plans to demolish Dairy Crest landmark for 58 homes

Please preserve this part of our towns history

SIR DAVIDS

ENCOUNTER

HEALTHY CHRISTMAS

TREATS Pages 44-45

SIR DAVIDS

ENCOUNTER CHRISTMAS

By Adam Wells [email protected]

PLANS to demolish a prominent and important local landmark and build 58 homes in its place could be approved at a planning committee meet-ing today, Wednesday.

Approval for the proposed development on the Dairy Crest depot site in St Johns would come despite fierce criticism from residents and busi-ness owners, who are due to voice opposition at the meeting.

Referring to the former Methodist chapel the depot occupies, the borough councils 2013 site allocation document included the requirement that any development on the site shall retain and reuse

potential local heritage assets. But this requirement was removed last year, and

the council officer who recommended the appli-cation be granted planning permission cited sub-stantial public benefits and exceptional circum-stances as justification for causing significant harm to this asset.

Janet Sturgis, chairman of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society, said: We want the developers to preserve that particular part of Tunbridge Wells history. It doesnt mean they cant build flats around it.

Turn to page 3

But this requirement was removed last year, and But this requirement was removed last year, and the council officer who recommended the appli-cation be granted planning permission cited sub-stantial public benefits and exceptional circum-stances as justification for causing significant

Janet Sturgis, chairman of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society, said: We want the developers to preserve that particular part of Tunbridge Wells history. It doesnt mean they cant build flats around it.

email: [email protected]

SEND IN YOUR WEATHER PICTURETO BE FEATURED ON THIS PAGE


2 NEWS

THIS week, Sally Pavey from the pressure group Commuters Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) makes the case for not expanding Gatwick Airport.

For readers who may be new to the issue, essentially Gatwick is back in the frame for expansion because Heathrow is now under environmental review.

Should the west London airport be deemed unsuitable, Gatwick will be up for consideration once more.

Mrs Pavey, however, is right in scenting political shenanigans.

The Conservative Partys London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith would probably not welcome any furore over Heathrows expansion in the run up to the polls in May next year.

Airport noise and plans for expansion are as toxic in west London as they are in west Kent and East Sussex.

It is not as though Prime Minister David Cameron is afraid of losing the Old Etonians seat of Richmond Park which, ironically, is right underneath Heathrows landing fl ight path.

Mrs Pavey also accused Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark of collusion in the issue.

Until 2010 it was a Lib Dem seat and Mr Goldsmiths majority is 23,000 and virtually unassailable.

She writes on page 19: It would seem that, at best, we are being used in a political game and one Greg Clark is party to, to stop Zac Goldsmith from triggering a by-election and to appease (current London mayor) Boris Johnson.

At worst, Gatwicks expensive lobbying has succeeded in spinning Gatwicks half-truths that Gatwick can ever be anything but a bucket and spade airport as it is not in London and services only those communities that surround it.

We have learnt over the years that organisations like CAGNE can be populated by nimbys and single issue obsessives. But if CAGNE is not prepared to hold Gatwick and the governments feet to the fi re, who will?

MP Greg Clark has gone strangely quiet on this issue of late and it took several days to elicit a statement from him. His offi ce in London had claimed he was too busy in meetings connected to the fl oods in Cumbria to spare a few moments of his time to speak to the Times or issue a statement about his constituencys

number one gripe.To be fair, thus far Mr Clark has played a

shrewd and canny game on Gatwick expansion by supplementing his own views with those of public consultations, expert input and constituent surveys.

But his constituents need clarity from him on this latest twist or the situation may end up fl ying away from him. Those who saw him as an ally might one day see him siding with a perceived enemy or, worse, ducking the issue to preserve his cabinet career.

The Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) has been going for many years and has been run by motivated individuals just like the ones who are members of CAGNE.

HACAN has been a pain in the neck to the authorities for decades.

We might not agree with everything that the Gatwick anti-expansionists say or how they choose to say it.

But lets be thankful we have a protest movement.

Simon Finlay, editor

EDITORS COMMENT

Markerstudy Leisure is a trading name of One Media and Creative UK Limited registered in England and Wales under company number 5398960 with registered office at 45 Westerham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2QB.

CLARIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONSHERE at the Times of Tunbridge Wells we strive to deliver, fair, accurate and balanced reports. When we dont meet our own high standards we will accept the responsibility and publish clarifications and corrections.

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16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NU

All bachelors love dogs, and we would love children just as much if they could be taught to retrieve.

PJ ORourke, American writer

QUOTE UNQUOTE

By Adam [email protected]

TUNBRIDGE Wells looks set to benefit from a cinematic boom after a spokesman for Curzon confirmed the development of a new cinema to occupy the Corn Exchange is in an advanced stage.

The news comes despite recent announce-ment of an eight screen multiplex at the Royal Victoria Place, which had led to local speculation that Curzon, famed for its art-house styled cinemas, may pull out.

But a spokesman for Curzon said planning for the three-screen cinema was still ongo-

ing, although he did admit to delays in the process and confirmed there was not yet a starting date for construction.

He said: Things have been taking longer than we would like, but we are at an advanced stage of designing the cinema space now.

Once this work has been completed, we will need to tender the work and then appoint a contractor before we are able to move in and start building the cinema.

We dont yet have a confirmed starting date for this, however.

But refuting any suggestion the company was no longer committed to expanding into the town, he said: Please be assured that we

are still very committed and excited to open a cinema in Tunbridge Wells.

Curzon originally sought planning per-mission to develop a cinema in the Corn Exchange in April.

Development of the site would see it occu-pying most of the building currently owned by the Marquess of Abergavenny.

The Marquess himself purchased the Corn Exchange in 2012 alongside the adjacent Lower Pantiles, for a figure believed to be close to 4.5 million, in effect reversing his familys decision to sell it in 1939.

He has since sought ways of rejuvenating the area following years of decline in footfall which had culminated in the closure of the historical tourist attraction, A Day At The Wells, in 2004.

Development of a new cinema is seen as part of a wider process to reinvigorate the Pantiles alongside other initiatives organised by retailers and Upper Pantiles landlord Tar-getfollow, such as the jazz evenings.

Commenting on the planned development in April, Mel Alcock, the chief operating officer for Curzon said the site would be one of the largest in of the companys 18 cinemas.

She added: We are delighted to be working with the Pantiles to bring a new Curzon cin-ema to Tunbridge Wells, an area of culture, history and natural beauty.

Curzon cinema plans are now at anadvanced stage - despite rumours

Thursday

14CFriday

12CSaturday

12CSunday

12CMonday

11CTuesday

10C

Wednesday December 16, 2015 Tunbridge Wells

13CVisibility: Good Pollution: Low Humidity: 90%

Sunrise: 07.57am Sunset: 15.52pm Wind: 17mph

It may be mid- December but Leeds Castle still draws in the crowds. Picture byPatrick Corry

Weather

Cloudy with some early rain likely, drier later

DESIGNArtists impression of the Curzon site

HISTORIC The Corn Exchange

LOCAL NEWS 3


NEWS IN BRIEF

DEDICATED Stephen

Adams

Charlton players tributeto crash victim StephenEleanor [email protected]

FIRST-team players at Championship football side Charlton Athletic were to wear black arm-bands last night in memory of a much-loved father who died in a car accident on Sunday.

A minutes silence will also be observed at each of the clubs academy fixtures this weekend to honour Stephen Adams, from Paddock Wood, a dedicated teacher and youth football coach.

The 34-year-old was driving in Seven Mile Lane, near Wrotham Heath, when the accident occurred at about 6.50am on December 13.

In a statement released yesterday, his family said: Stephen will be missed forever by his wife Kimberley, his sons Luke and Finley, his mum Debbie, sister Kayleigh, father-in-law Richard, mother-in-law Frances and many family and friends who loved him very much.

Stephen had an amazing passion for football coaching and was well respected as a teacher. Stephen will remain forever in our hearts and we will love him always.

The 34-year-old, who joined Charlton in 2012 and coached the under-11 and under-12 sides, was a teacher of computing at The Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge.

A spokesman for the boys academy said: The Hayesbrook School is deeply saddened by the death of Mr Stephen Adams.

Mr Adams lost his life in a tragic accident over the weekend. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with Stephens family.

Stephen was a dedicated teacher and a fan-tastic professional who was hugely respected. He cared deeply about students and computing and his love of sport made him a popular figure at Hayesbrook.

Charlton academy manager Steve Avory said: We are deeply saddened by the loss of a much-valued member of our coaching team.

He joined us in the 2012/13 season as part of the FAs black and Asian coaches bursary pro-gramme and in that time he became a very popu-lar member of staff.

He will be greatly missed. Charltons first-team players were due to wear

the black armbands at last nights match against Bolton Wanderers at The Valley.

A spokesman said: The club would like to offer their condolences to Steves family during this very difficult time.

Kent Police are continuing to appeal for infor-mation about the incident, which happened near the Comp Lane junction.

Two vehicles were involved, a blue Nissan

Navara and Mr Adams silver Ford Fiesta. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision

or who saw the vehicles before or after the inci-dent is asked to call 01622 798538 or email [email protected].

Christmas box stolen

Roof cut from crashed carto free trapped pensioner

Times pop-up newsroom

FIREFIGHTERS had to cut the roof from a car to free a pensioner after a crash in the High Street on Monday.

Emergency crews attended the car park of Christ Church, about lunchtime.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said a car had collided with two parked vehicles and gates and that crews had used cutting equipment to release the driver, a man aged about 70.

The drivers injuries are not thought to have been serious.

THE man whose Christmas lights charity box was stolen by two hoody-wearing cyclists has appealed to the criminals to do the decent thing and bring the money back.

Money donated by visitors who had admired the illuminations outside Sean Beltons Hawkenbury Road home was taken on Monday afternoon, Mr Belton said.

The lights will stay up and any donations can be posted through the letter box.

IF YOU fancy coffee, cake and a chat with the Times, nows your chance.

Our pop-up newsroom comes to you from Ismail tea and coffee in its new home, the food court of Royal Victoria Place, today, Wednesday.

Whether you have a cause to promote, a story to tell or a business to advertise, you can speak to a reporter between 9am and 2pm.

DEDICATED Stephen

Adams

Stephen was a dedicated teacher and a fan-tastic professional who was hugely respected. He cared deeply about students and computing and his love of sport made him a popular figure

Charlton academy manager Steve Avory said: We are deeply saddened by the loss of a much-valued member of our coaching team.

He joined us in the 2012/13 season as part of the FAs black and Asian coaches bursary pro-gramme and in that time he became a very popu-

Charltons first-team players were due to wear the black armbands at last nights match against

A spokesman said: The club would like to offer their condolences to Steves family during this

Kent Police are continuing to appeal for infor-mation about the incident, which happened near

Two vehicles were involved, a blue Nissan

Paddock Wood dad of two, 34, killed near Wrotham

Continued from page 1

We lodged an objection on the grounds the plans dont include retention of what remains of a very interesting chapel built in about 1890 that helped lift what was then a rather disreputable part of town.

The need to preserve the chapels facade was raised in two petitions, and letters sent to Tun-bridge Wells Borough Council in response to the proposals.

But for some neighbouring residents and busi-nesses, this is not the most important aspect.

Krissy Scotton, founder of Revive Hairdress-ing in St Johns Road, said: Its going to be as high as five storeys, when everything near it is

three storeys. The balconies on the back will overlook peo-

ples gardens and properties, and the residents on Wakefi eld Road arent happy with that.

Its going to be very overshadowing. Theyre bringing the building line forward so its not in line with the businesses already there, and thats going to block us from view and have an impact on our trade.

Borough councillor Nasir Jamil, who rep-resents St Johns ward, said: My concern is the implications for traffi c.

If we are putting more houses there, we are increasing the traffi c fl ow, and with the A21 set to be a single lane, all the traffi c will go onto the A26 which is already overcrowded.


4 LOCAL NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Puddle Ducks lifesaversraise 1,000 for charityYOUNGSTERS showed off life-saving skills at pyjama parties to raise nearly 1,000 for a local childrens charity.

Baby and toddler swimming company Puddle Ducks raised the cash at classes in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas, for East Sussex-based Chailey Heritage Foundation, which works with children and young people with complex physical disabilities and health needs.

As the Times reported last month, Puddle Ducks is looking for a new pool in order to continue running its sessions in Tunbridge Wells town centre. Anyone who could help should call 01892 617246.

THE Tunbridge Wells ice rink will be encouraging skaters to don festive splendour in aid of Save the Children this Friday.

Seasonal sweaters will be welcomed to mark the charitys National Christmas Jumper Day and the best will win a 70 Cote Restaurant voucher.

Collection tins will be available. For more information, visit www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

ANYONE who wants to buy Christmas presents already wrapped can do so in Eridge for the next week.

Trophy and gift company Inkerman said customer demand led to it extending its Christmas shopping event until December 23.

Shoppers will be welcome to Sham Farm, Sham Farm Road, between 9am and 5.30pm.

By Simon [email protected]

A PROMINENT campaigner against the expansion of Gatwick Airport has called for an environmen-tal audit to be carried out.

Sally Pavey, of the Commuters Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), was reacting after a decision on Heathrows future was delayed for six months for a review on environment impact.

Mrs Pavey claimed Gatwick was now part of a political game designed to keep Heathrow expansion out of the headlines in the run-up to the London mayor elections next May.

She also says that Greg Clark, the Tunbridge Wells MP, pictured right, is a party to the deli-cate politics of the issue. Writing in the Times

Festive charity jumpers

Christmas all wrapped up

Gatwick thrust into political gameover election for Londons mayor

this week, she said: What is frustrating is that no environmental audit has been undertaken on Gatwick, as it would be the same size as Heathrow but with one railway line that cant be expanded - a new line is ruled out - and the M23 that would be full before Gatwick is finished.

She added: It would seem that at best we are being used in a political game and one Greg Clark is party to, to stop Zac Goldsmith from triggering a by-election and to appease (London mayor) Boris Johnson.

Gatwick expansion would mean 560,000 aircraft in the air and almost 100m passengers annually, she claimed.

Mr Clark, who is part of the cabinet sub-commit-tee which considered Sir Howard Davies report on aviation expansion for the Airports Commis-sion, declined to make a substantive comment.

But in a statement, he said: The government has a duty to consider the Davies recommenda-tions meticulously and so has asked for further assessment of the proposals to be carried out. This is expected to be concluded by the summer.

As a member of the cabinet sub-committee charged with considering the Davies report I am required to consider its recommendations fairly and carefully and so it is obviously not appropri-ate to pass comment on the options under consid-eration before a decision is taken.

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said: There is now a clear choice facing

Britain: growth with Gatwick or inertia at Heathrow with an

illegal scheme that has failed time and time again.

We have always main-tained that this decision is about balancing the econ-omy and the environment. Expansion at Gatwick would

give the country the economic benefit it needs at a dramatically

lower environmental cost. We are glad that the government rec-

ognises that more work on environmental impact needs to be done. Air quality, for example, is a public health priority and obviously the legal safeguards around it cannot be wished away.

Even Heathrows most vocal supporters must now realise a third runway at Heathrow will never take off as the environmental hurdles are just too high. Momentum is now behind Gatwick as it becomes ever clearer that it is the obvious solu-tion. We will continue to work closely with gov-ernment to take forward our plan which is legal, affordable, and can actually deliver for Britain.See comment, page 2, letters page 18 and opinion by Sally Pavey, page 19

LOBBYINGCampaigner Sally Pavey and the Labour London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan

TWO men who burgled houses in Cranbrook and Brenchley have been sent to prison.

Craig Gillingham, 25, and 21-year-old Craig Chamberlain pleaded guilty to a two-month crime spree in 2013, which also included homes in Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Aylesford.

The pair stole jewellery, watches and elec-tronic devices. In one burglary, a safe was taken containing watches and jewellery with an estimated value of 50,000.

Gillingham, formerly of Randall Street, Maidstone, admitted nine burglaries and two attempted burglaries, at Maidstone Crown Court. The offences were recorded under one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and on December 9, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

Chamberlain, of Quarry Road, Maidstone, confessed to a role in four burglaries and one attempted burglary. He was convicted under one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and jailed for three years and six months.

Detective Constable Andy Julier said: Bur-glary can have a devastating impact on the victims and the majority of stolen items in these crimes, many of which had sentimental

value, have sadly never been recovered. The judge took this into account when he passed what are substantial sentences.

Gillingham and Chamberlain thought they were above the law and could do as they please, but these convictions send a clear message to criminals, that we will catch you and ensure you face the full consequences for your actions.

Jail for pairs two-month burglary spree

CONFESSEDCraig Chamberlain

GUILTY Craig

Gillingham


LOCAL NEWS 5

Eleanor Jones [email protected]

THE mayor of Tunbridge Wells has backed the desperate search to find a new base to house nurses caring for children with terminal illnesses.

Until last month, specialist nurses from charity ellenor worked from office space in Tonbridge, providing palliative care including chemother-apy in patients homes.

But since the arrangement came to an end, staff have been

forced to work from their cars, in supermarket car parks and on the side of the road.

Rebecca Scalzo, head of childrens hospice care

at ellenor, said: This

isnt ideal or indeed safe, particularly when its dark and cold.

We would really love to find a conven-ient base for up to four peo-ple at a time, with good road links, where nurses can call in between appointments and write up

their notes and make essential phone calls to all those involved in the care of our children.

We are really focused on expanding the ser-vices we offer our families in southwest Kent and having a base will make it so much easier for us to do that.

The base would also be used by ellenor respite carers, who provide care in childrens homes, to give parents a break.

Tunbridge Wells mayor Cllr David Elliott has raised more than 16,000 for ellenor, his chosen charity, since he took office in May.

He said: They need some space, they need somewhere to go.

The work the nurses do is very important indeed and the service they provide, caring for babies and young children in their own homes, is unique.

It doesnt need to be elaborate, they just need a space somewhere.

Mrs Scalzo said the ellenor nurses will work throughout Christmas, keeping fami-

lies together at this special time of the year.She added: We would be so grateful to any

local business which felt they could donate some space, it would make our Christmas and make the beginning of 2016 bright for our chil-dren and their families.

Having this essential base will make it so much easier for us to reach the families facing terminal illness that require our service.

Anyone who could help is asked to call Mrs Scalzo on 01474 320007.

Ellenors palliative care nurses seeks new base Can you help those working with terminally ill children?

NEWS IN BRIEF

New hygiene scheme for tattoo businessesANYONE hoping to acquire a tattoo or semi-permanent make-up in Tunbridge Wells will benefi t from a new ratings scheme.

The initiative, which works in a similar way to food hygiene ratings, gives scores on the doors. Businesses will be inspected and scored between one, needs improvement, and four, very good. They will then be able to display window stickers showing their ratings.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has written to registered businesses offering tattooing or semi-permanent make-up, encouraging them to join the voluntary scheme.

For more information, call the council on 01892 526121.

Forgotten Fields 2016EARLY bird tickets are on sale for the 2016 Forgotten Fields.

Following the success of this years inaugural event, the music festival is to return to Eridge Park on August 5 to 7. A limited number of tickets is for sale at 99, with monthly payment available.

A spokesman said Promising yet another year of sensational music, wondrous attractions and a plethora of activities for the whole family, Forgotten Fields will once again stand as the defi nitive British festival experience.For more www.forgottenfi elds.co.uk

Cinderella at the librarySTORYTELLING and craft activities will be on offer in the Tunbridge Wells library today, Wednesday.

Louise Jameson, who is starring in the Assembly Hall pantomime Cinderella, will host the event, between 4pm and 5pm.

Tickets are free but booking is advised, on 03000 41 31 31 or email [email protected].

ONLINEAND ONTHE GO

Latest news www.timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk

But since the arrangement came to an end, staff have been

forced to work from their cars, in supermarket car parks and on the side of the road.

Rebecca Scalzo, head of childrens hospice care

at ellenor, said: This

their notes and make essential phone calls to all those involved in the care of our children.

We are really focused on expanding the ser-vices we offer our families in southwest Kent and having a base will make it so much easier for us to do that.

The base would also be used by ellenor respite carers, who provide care in childrens homes, to give parents a break.

Tunbridge Wells mayor Cllr David Elliott has raised more than 16,000 for ellenor, his chosen charity, since he took office in May.

He said: They need some space, they need somewhere to go.

The work the nurses do is very important indeed and the service they provide, caring for babies and young children in their own homes, is unique.

It doesnt need to be elaborate, they just need a space somewhere.

Mrs Scalzo said the ellenor nurses will work throughout Christmas, keeping fami-

TWO young entrepreneurs have shown off their fledgling enterprise to business leaders at a networking breakfast.

Rosie Judd and Iola Palmer-Stirling of the Tun-bridge Wells Girls Grammar Young Enterprise team joined the Royal Spa Chapter of Busi-ness Networking International last Thursday to introduce Ame Via, which makes bags. The girls secured a number of orders for Christ-mas gifts.

Ame Via managing director Rosie said: It was really great to be able to talk to local busi-ness people. We got lots of tips about how to make Ame Via a success, which we will be putting into practice over the coming months. Weve been selling at local Christmas fairs, but this has given us some new ideas.

Julian Weekes of BNI Royal Spa said: That Rosie and Iola were willing to get here for our 6am meeting shows real determination. Their presentation to the BNI members was incred-ibly polished we were all impressed at how confident they are and their commitment to growing their business.For more information on Ame Via, visit www.facebook.com/ikalifestylebags

Young businesswomen show determination

ENTREPRENEURS BNI members Maddy Bishop and Martin Webber, Iola Palmer-Stirling,Rosie Judd, members Julian Weekes and Amanda RedmanPicture: parkershots.com

APPEAL Rebecca Scalzo

SUPPORTMayor David Elliott

Downton Abbey inspires 12k for charity

Time to make a difference to childrens mental health


6 CHRISTMAS APPEAL

HOW TO MAKE A

DONATION ALL donations to the Christmas appeal will automatically

be split between the Times three chosen charities.To give, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/

TimesofTunbridgeWellsChristmasAppeal or see the link on our Facebook page

You can also make a donation by writing a cheque made out to the Times of Tunbridge Wells and sending it to:

Times of Tunbridge Wells16 Lonsdale GardensTunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1NU

Please mark the envelope: Charity Appeal

THERE is still time to make a donation to our Christmas appeal that supports the vital work of three local mental health charities. And each of them really does need your help.

One in ten children has a mental health problem and one in four people will suffer mental illness over the course of their lifetime. Here is a reminder of the three charities and the work they do

THE upper classes graced the stately Bayham Hall in Lamberhurst this month to take part in a Downtown Abbey themed ball in aid of the Anthony Nolan charity.

Dukes, Duchesses, veterans of the Great War and even the help all dug deep to raise over 12,000 for the charity which helps those with blood cancer.

The inspiration behind the ball was Poppy Bobbetts, 16, who in January became seriously ill from Aplastic Anae-mia, a form of cancer which only a suit-able bone marrow transplant can cure.

With no family member eligible, Anthony Nolan managed to match Poppy with donor Jacques Van Niekerk from the United States, who spoke of the proce-dure as a guest speaker at the event.

Family friend and organiser Alison Exall said: Poppy is incredibly brave and still has a long way to go as the next two years are critical. Her immune system is working on zero - so she must avoid common winter bugs and flu.

GENEROUS(LR) Poppy

Bobbetts, Alison Exall and Jacques

Van Niekerk

TUNBRIDGE WELLS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE - runs The Hub refuge and o ers a free counselling service plus a community one to one support programme.

We need about 25,000 additional funding a year to run The Hub. today we have around 250 regular attendees there is a growing underclass with people falling through the net one desperate person turned up on hands and knees begging for help.Wellbeing o cer Dave Collins

4 - buys supplies for the literacy and numeracy group

10 pays for a one to one session for a new client

CROSSWAYS COMMUNITY - promotes awareness of mental health issues within schools, churches and the local community.

If we spend the time, e ort and money now on our young people and their mental health then the chances of their becoming adults with decent mental health are hugely increased.Chief executive Chris Munday

50 - pays for trained professionals to go into local schools and run a session on mental health

FEGANS o ers specialist services in the areas of family support, schools work, counselling, training and community activities.

Partly the rise in mental health issues is due to the internet... it has created new challenges and pressures for childrenpart of this is down to cyber-bullying and trollingbullying is no longer con ned to the classroom it can follow a child home.Chief executive Ian Soars

5 - helps pay for a counselling session for a distressed child

10 - subsidises a counselling session for an entire family


LOCAL NEWS 7

Adam [email protected]

A HAUNT for deer hunters in Norman times, Ashdown Forest is an ancient area of tranquil heathland that sits atop the highest sandy ridge in the heart of the High Weald.

Nearly a century ago, it was immortalised in print as Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood.

Nowadays, the 6,500 acre forest is a place of conservation, not hunting.

On warm summer evenings, one might hear the distinctive, mechanical churring of the nightjar, glimpsing its mottled plumage as it hawks for insects at dusk.

Or perhaps you might spy the long tail of the Dartford Warbler, pictured right, on the heathland.

But such sights and sounds could disappear forever if new housing developments are allowed nearby.

To protect these birds from increases in visitor and road traffic, the forest is a designated Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. Any significant developments within a 7km radius can only be agreed if strict mitigating measures are taken.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) had previously seen no need to draw up such measures given the slight impact their planned development would have on the area.

But recent central government pressure means

Saving famous Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood from the builders

100 ACRE WOODA scene from Winnie the Pooh

NEWS IN BRIEF

Talks to buy churchon Highgate HillHAWKHURST Parish council has agreed to enter into negotiations to buy the All Saints church on Highgate Hill.

As reported by the Times last month, the council has been considering acquiring the site with a view to developing a new community centre there. A feasibility study has been recommended as the most appropriate next step, with mortgage applications to follow soon after. Quotes from Lambert & Foster, Freeman Forman and Savills will be sought.

3K grilles price-tag PADDOCK Wood Town Council has been quoted 3,100 to have steel grilles fi tted across the veranda of the Memorial Pavilion.

The pavilion door was kicked in by vandals on the weekend of November 21-22.

Following the incident, the estates manager visited the scene with police and secured the building. Despite a forensic team checking the building, no evidence was found to identify the culprits.

Council loses war grant THE Commonwealth War Graves Commission has written to Paddock Wood Town Council to advise it will no longer paying the authority an annual grant.

Every year the council receives 120 for the upkeep of the war graves in the Old Churchyard, but after a recent visit the CWGC has deemed that no further work was needed to maintain them.

the councils target of 6,000 new homes by 2026 could treble, and it now says it is very possible that circumstances may change in the near future so that there is a greater impact.

Councillors have discussed the need to be able to deal with new developments as and when they come forward in, or, in the case of a significantly large expansion not already covered in our allocations dpd, close to the 7km zone.

Roy Galley, chair of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, told the Times: The board has never taken an official stance on this, but as a general principle we would like developments near the forest to be as limited as possible.

The birds are important, but theyre not the only part. The more vehicles, the more emissions that change the habitat. If you get too much nitrogen, different plants develop, and were keen to preserve the lowland heath. Theres very little left in the UK.

We have a rare and special landscape and heritage and it would be a great shame if builders and developers were allowed to come and destroy that.

Wealden District Council recently proposed increasing the 7km zone to 15km, a move TWBC have opposed as it would have a very significant effect on development within Tunbridge Wells Borough.

Mr Galley added: Im a great supporter of the present government, but their obsession with housing means that some of our special green areas are under threat.

Other than whats already planned, we dont really want any other development here.

Saving famous Winnie the Poohs

treble, and it now says it is very possible that circumstances may change

Adam Hignett [email protected]

NEARLY two years after a long stretch of War-wick Park Road was effectively turned into a one way-street by the transformation of the old Brew House traffic is once again flowing both ways.

But what for many residents started off as a slight annoyance while the One Warwick Park hotel was constructed on the site, actually became a blessing in disguise.

With traffic forced in just one direction on the stretch of street running from Rodmell Road to the A267, residents grew used to the quiet, low congestion and safer atmosphere this brought about.

Now the Warwick Park Area residents associa-tion is looking into the practicality of reinstating the one way system on permanently.

Chairman Tony Pawson said: Some residents

have expressed a desire to keep the current one-way system and this was discussed at a commit-tee meeting where there were differing views.

I have had an initial discussion with Kent County Council (KCC) about the procedure for making a change, and it is clear that the process would be a long one and require substantial evi-dence of need and local support if KCC are to be persuaded to make the change.

Mr Pawson added different parts of the associa-tions area, which covers some of the streets con-nected to Warwick Park Road, are affected in dif-ferent ways, meaning consultation was needed.

CongestedHe said: First, we have asked residents to let

committee members know their views on this issue.

Then, if there is sufficient support, we will dis-cuss making a case for the change to a one-way

system at the next AGM, which is in March 2016.Speaking about any potential change to make

the road permanently one way, resident Kelly Parker, 34, said: I think at first some people were annoyed with the road works and it seemed like it might be hassle with the one way street.

But because of the road works this part of the road is much quieter and less congested as peo-ple do not use it as a cut through.

A KCC spokesman said the association had sought advice on the process, but no concrete measures were underway and warned there was a strong likelihood the application would fail.

He said: We have to make tough decisions on where to improve traffic and road safety in local areas. This means we have to say no more than wed like, especially if the request wont reduce casualties.

We look at the sites most in need of improve-ment first, which have got the support of the whole community but we are happy to consider all requests.

8 LOCAL NEWS


We wish hotel works turned out to be a one-way street!

NEWS IN BRIEF

Heritage lottery cash set for civic complexDEVELOPMENT of the civic complex received a boost on last week after Tunbridge Wells Borough Council received a 4.3million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The money will be put towards further planning of the project which aims to bring together the museum, art gallery, library and adult education centre under one service.

Stuart McLeod, head of HLF South East, said: We liked the councils idea of creating a new centre for culture and learning in the heart of this historic town.

Transforming two buildings into a flexible community space is a practical and imaginative way to get more people interested and involved with their local heritage.

Dozen dialled 999MORE than a dozen people dialled 999 after a fire broke out at the Colebrook Industrial Estate shortly after 3.30pm on December 9.

Fire crews attending the scene discovered piles of burning plastic were responsible for the thick black plumes of smoke which could be seen across the High Brooms.

Police were called to the scene but no roads were closed and fire crews left the estate at 4pm.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious and was believed to have been started by nearby steel cutting.

School light setbackPLANS by Skinners School to erect floodlights oat its Southfields sports ground in order to make the pitches fit for use received a setback last week.

More than 100 objections from neighbouring households were made to the plans. The scheme has been on the table for more than three years.

Residents in the surrounding area claimed the floodlights would have a severe impact on wildlife and properties surrounding the fields.

THE finishing touches to the ongoing building work at the One Warwick Park hotel were completed last week with special guests invited to commemorate the topping out.

Work began on what was formerly the old

Brew House over two years ago to turn it into a new luxury hotel and it is expected to throw open its doors to guests next year.

In attendance were members of the King Charles School old boys association who had

once spent their days in classrooms just off Chapel Place.

Others attending included council leader David Jukes and members of the Markerstudy Group, which will be operating the new hotel.

TOPPING OUTAmong those present were Andy Rayfield, Richard Fry, Harry Collins, David Jukes, Tony Whitehorn, Andrew Sheppard, Stewart Knight, Frank Standen, Brian Babb, Sarah Freeman, Chantelle Harman and Louise Clark

THE OLD BOYS Former King Charles School mates (L-R) Frank Standen Richard Fry Stewart Knight Tony Whitehorn


NATIONAL NEWS 9

Ground control to Major Tim

MISSION Major Tim Peake

pictured yesterday

TIM Peakes youngest son, four-year-old Oliver, found it difficult to say goodbye to his dad as a crowd of relatives and well-wishers waved him off to prepare for launch.

Sitting on his grandfathers shoulders, he cried loudly, saying: I want to go with Daddy.

As Major Peake and his two fellow astronauts set off on a coach for the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Oliver, pictured below, was consoled by his mother as he clutched a toy.

The familys countdown to blast-off was documented by a BBC Horizon special, which had been following them for the past year.

Major Peake talked of missing his sons during his years of training, saying: Thats hard at times.

Often when I talk to the boys they are counting down the number of sleeps to when they will see Daddy again.

His wife, Rebecca, said their two sons will miss their father desperately but were excited for him.

ONCE in space, Major Peake and the other crew members moved from the cramped middle section of the Soyuz space capsule into the slightly more spacious spherical orbital module which attaches to the space station.

Until about two years ago, it took almost three days for Soyuz space crew to reach the ISS.

Since 2013, cosmonauts and astronauts have enjoyed faster, more comfortable trips, thanks to a procedure known as the short rendezvous.

By using a highly precise insertion of the vehicle into the correct orbit, coupled with digitally-controlled adjustment burns, it is now possible to make contact with the space station in six hours.

But even the short rendezvous requires four orbits of the Earth.

During the final approach, a docking probe on the end of the Soyuz inserted into a cone on the ISS. Once capture was confirmed, the probe retracted, bringing the two vehicles together. A series of hooks and latches then closed over, securing the capsule in place.

Once a tight seal was confirmed, the air pressure in the Soyuz was equalised with that of the ISS and the hatch opened, so the new arrivals could enter.

The capsule will remain attached to serve as a lifeboat if the ISS has to be evacuated in the event of a major disaster, such as a fire or collision with space debris.

The capsule docked at 5.33pm.Tensions rose as there were diffi culties in manoeuvring the capsule into position. This put the docking behind its scheduled time of 17.23 GMT.

Peakes son: I want to go with my Daddy

Docking with the International Space Station

excited for him.

Eleanor [email protected]

BRITISH astronaut Tim Peake has joined the International Space Sta-tion, having spent six years prepar-ing for six months on board.

It was ground control to Major Tim a reference to the David Bowie song as the former army officer left earth on a Russian Soyuz rocket with Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra yesterday morning.

The 43-year-old blasted off from a launch pad in Kazakhstan just after 11am, waved off by his wife Rebecca and sons Thomas and Oliver, who called Bye Daddy! as the 305-tonne rocket travelled into space at 1,000mph.

After eight minutes, the space cap-

sule detached and entered prelim-inary orbit. After six hours, at just after 5.30pm, it caught up with the ISS, which hurtles through space at 17,500mph.

Open University planetary sci-entist Professor Monica Grady, observing the launch on behalf of the Royal Institution, said: It was exciting, surprisingly emotional and it made me feel proud.

You feel it in your bones. What surprised me was how bright it was.It was just beautiful seeing this white rocket against the blue sky.Seeing something like this shows we can achieve so much when we put our minds to it.

Every time theres a successful launch (it) brings the day of regular space launches closer.

Major Peake, who has spent six years training to become the first professional British astronaut

employed by the European Space Agency, will work on science exper-iments and housekeeping during his mission, named Principia after Isaac Newtons work Principia Mathematica. Much of the astro-nauts work is to keep everything working on the ISS.

He will also run the London mar-athon on a treadmill on the station during the event on April 24, 2016.

Major Peake told Neil Armstrong in an interview last week that he could not wait to get started.

He added: What every astro-naut wants to do is look back on planet Earth and have that amaz-ing view. But Im also looking for-ward to the whole experience of living and working in weightless-ness and for that to become sec-ond nature because of the length of time Ill be there. Thats going to be an incredible experience.

PRIME Minister David Cameron cannot deliver EU reforms he wants without treaty changes and will not get them before a referendum, MPs have warned.

Mr Cameron is in a very difficult situation, according to Sir Bill Cash, chairman of the cross-party EU scrutiny committee.

No 10 agreed the legally binding, irreversible changes demanded by Mr Cameron will need treaty changes, but a spokesman said this does not need to happen before a referendum, which must be held by 2018.

The Prime Minister has been clear that the reforms we are seeking will need to be legally binding and irreversible, and that some will require treaty change, Mr Camerons spokesman said.

As the prime minister has said, we must have agreement to such treaty change before the referendum. Ulti-mately, it is for the British people to decide whether or not the UK remains in the European Union.

It is understood the government could seek a binding agreement with the EU, with treaty change to follow.

Mr Cameron is pushing to stop new arrivals claiming in-work benefits for four years, among other requests. This is thought to require treaty change but is being met with resistance from other EU leaders.

Mr Cameron will continue talks at a summit tomorrow, which European Council president Donald Tusk says should pave the way for an agreement in February.

Veteran Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash said treaty change is not on offer but it is absolutely essential we get treaty change if we are to actually achieve the objectives the Prime Minister has set out.

He added: Voters in the forthcoming referendum must be aware of this when they make their choice.

The scrutiny committee said changing the relationship between the eurozone and non-eurozone countries was the most substantial area being discussed by Mr Cameron and the other EU leaders, and this absolutely requires the security of treaty amendment to address it.

The committee said another of Mr Camerons requests, improving indus-trial competitiveness, was already

being addressed, and his pledge to exempt the UK from ever-closer union among EU nations was not legally significant.

The report also dismissed Mr Camer-ons claim that his benefit restrictions would reduce immigration, saying it would not have a large-scale effect.

The committee criticised the reactive and opaque handling of the renegoti-ation and warned: Presenting Parlia-ment with a fait accompli could give rise to legitimate concerns about the accountability and transparency of both the process itself, and its outcome.

Polls suggest UK voters are almost equally split on whether or not to leave the EU.

An ICM poll for the Vote Leave cam-paign found 42 per cent of 2,053 sur-veyed would vote to remain, 41 per cent to leave, and 17 per cent were undecided.

A poll by Survation for the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe, a European political party including Ukip, found 42 per cent of more than 10,000 asked wanted to leave, 40 per cent wanted to remain, 18 per cent were undecided.

MPs: EU reform will need treaty changes

NEWS IN BRIEF

Mobile firms attract the most public complaintsCUSTOMER complaints about telecoms and pay TV suppliers have increased, with EE and Vodafone retaining their positions as the most complained-about companies.Ofcom said it was disappointing to see a rise in the number of complaints between July and September. EE and Plusnet attracted the highest volumes of landline complaints at 34 and 33 per 100,000 customers respectively, mainly relating to faults, service, problems with changing supplier and complaints handling.

Conductors strike voteCONDUCTORS on Southern Rail have voted to go on strike after a comprehensive breakdown in industrial relations.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said a ballot returned a 70 per cent majority in favour of walkouts. The union executive will consider the next move and must give seven days notice of any strike. The dispute is over issues including staffing and rosters, which the union claims are causing disruption to services.

Buy-to-let loans increaseTHE number of buy-to-let loans given in October was the highest since at least the start of 2013, banks and building societies have reported.

Some 24,800 loans with a collective value of 3.8 billion were advanced in October, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said.

DIFFICULT SITUATION PM David Cameron

10 NATIONAL NEWS


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12 NATIONAL NEWS

POLICE are being almost over-whelmed by a staggering increase in reports of domestic abuse, accord-ing to inspectors.

The number of recorded cases rose by 31 per cent between 2013 and 2015, Her Majestys Inspector-ate of Constabulary (HMIC) said.

It said this had led to excessive workloads and affected the qual-ity and speed of investigations in some forces.

The report stated that Kent Police has the lowest charge rate in Eng-land and Wales, although the num-ber of recorded crimes increased, and it was rated requires improve-ment for its handling of domestic abuse. It was recommended that the reason for the low charge rate was examined.

A separate HMIC report found 31 out of 43 forces must improve pro-tection of vulnerable people.

HM inspector of constabulary Zoe Billinghams report is a follow-up to one published by HMIC in March 2014, which highlighted significant weaknesses in the service police gave domestic abuse victims.

It notes improvements since then, including a 31 per cent increase in domestic abuse related crimes recorded by police, from 269,700 in

the year to August 2013, to 353,100 in the year to March 2015.

Explaining why this is an improve-ment, the report says the rise could partly be owing to better record-ing by police, and forces actively encouraging victims to come for-ward.

There has also been a determined effort by police to make domestic abuse a priority, the report adds.

It highlighted problems includ-ing limited evidence of forces engaging with victims for feedback, mixed attitudes among officers, sometimes leading to victims losing trust and not being willing to report subsequent abuse and inconsist-ent awareness of coercive and con-trolling behaviour.

Louisa Rolfe, of the N

Times of Tunbridge Wells 16th December 2015

Documents

Transcript of Times of Tunbridge Wells 16th December 2015