Parish Chairman’s Notes February 2025
At the time of writing the Parish Council is considering and analysing the responses to the questionnaire on the Village Hall (included in last month’s edition and available online). Many thanks to those who indicated they were prepared to serve on the working party, and to help in other ways. At the time of writing the next meeting of the working party was to take place on February 11th, and it is planned to hold them frequently thereafter. The roof repair carried out in December is only temporary and we need to act quickly to secure the future of the facility both for the preschool and other users.
Crest Nicholson held an exhibition on their proposals for the northern part of the East Capel site on 25th January, attended by many residents. It is not expected they will submit a panning application until the late Spring by which time we will know the outcome of the Main Modifications to the Local Plan. The Parish Council maintain their opposition to development on this site on green belt, flooding and highways grounds, but if this proposal (or a version of it) comes to pass the Parish Council will ask for a list of developer contributions, including but not limited to, traffic calming works on the B2017 and Whetsted Road, money toward the Village Hall and allotments, a crossing on the A228, an improved bus service and walking route between Five Oak Green and Paddock Wood, as well as local needs affordable housing.
The Parish Council has responded to the Tunbridge Wells Parking Strategy 2025-30. We asked that the free one hour parking in Paddock Wood be retained and that parking enforcement officers draw the attention of the police to dangerous pavement parking in Five Oak Green (especially on the junction between Falmouth Place and Badsell Road), when they see it, and make more effort to enforce the double yellow lines in Commercial Road, Paddock Wood.
The next Parish Council meeting is Monday 31st March at 7:30. Planning Committee at 7:00. Meeting, as always, open to the public.
Hugh Patterson