Specialist housing and care organisation seeks change of use for former residential care home for elderly in Riverhead
ST MARY’S ABBEYFIELD: Many Riverhead residents will remember the pleasant development at 15 The Glebefield, off Shoreham Lane which provided low-key Abbeyfield-supported residential accommodation for around 15 older folk. Some will no doubt remember their mother, father or auntie finding a safe haven there. Planning permission expressly for this purpose with a restrictive covenant was granted in 1986 when the Diocese of Rochester sold its Riverhead Glebe land for the construction of the St Mary’s Abbeyfield house and the remainder for housing. Five years ago Abbeyfield (Kent) became Rapport Housing and Care. But in 2018 Rapport ceased using the property as a residential care home for elderly people and started renting the rooms out to ‘tenants on licence’. A retrospective planning application has now been made in respect of this change of use to ‘House of Multiple Occupancy’. You can see the details of this planning application on the Sevenoaks District Council website at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk. Click on Planning and the planning application number is 19/02127 if you would like to read about the application, the history of the site, what others have already to say about it and to comment yourself. You can comment on this application up until 9 September.
RIVERHEAD CARNIVAL: Don’t miss Riverhead’s biggest community event of the year which will take place on Sunday afternoon 15 September on Chipstead Common starting at noon. Organisers 3rd Sevenoaks Scout Group is again looking for support from any local organisations, charities or businesses that would like to take part by running a stall or maybe sponsoring an event or attraction.
Entry is free and the carnival is always a great event for all the family. There will be more than 50 stalls, music throughout the afternoon, and a gymnastics’ display in the arena, followed by the now famous egg throwing competition.
The Dog Show will also be back, sponsored again by Sevenoaks Animal Feeds. Members of the public can enter their family pet on the day and there are lots of different classes (some quite quirky!) so no mutt need feel excluded.
There will be giant inflatables and bungee trampolines and lots of other activities for adults and children. Refreshments will be available from the 3rd Scout Group burger and drinks stalls and ice creams will be on sale. Parking around Chipstead Common on the day can be limited so do walk there if you can.
The annual carnival raises funds for Riverhead’s local Scout Group as well as many charities and other local groups which take part. Anyone considering running a stall or helping in any other way should contact Andrew Holland as soon as possible at: andrewholland1960@gmail.com to reserve a pitch.
More information at www.3rdsevenoaks.org.uk/ – click on Fund Raising to find out more.
NEW COFFEE MORNINGS: Dates will be announced shortly for monthly coffee (or tea) mornings for the retired/over 60s on a Thursday at the Bullfinch pub. Keep an eye out on here for the first date. Thanks go to Riverhead Parish Council and the management of the Bullfinch for this very welcome initiative.
RIVERHEAD LIBRARY: Following the recent review by Kent Libraries, aimed at saving £1m across the county, opening hours at Riverhead Library are to be reduced from 25 to 15 hours a week. From 30 September the library will be closed all day on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. The new opening hours will be Tuesdays 10am-1pm, Wednesdays 2-5pm, Thursdays 10am -12.30pm and1.30pm-4pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.
RIVERHEAD PARISH COUNCIL: The next monthly meeting will be on 16 September. The Parish Clerk’s office at the village hall is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm and phone messages and emails are picked up regularly at other times. The village hall and the committee room are available to hire for meetings and parties. More about Riverhead Parish Council and its responsibilities and activities as the most local rung of local government at www.riverheadpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
You can also keep up to date with local events by following ‘Riverhead Parish Council’ on Facebook and Twitter @RiverheadParish.
You can phone Riverhead Parish Council on 01732 461278 or email clerk@riverheadparishcouncil.org.uk
The Riverhead village news is compiled by Maggie Miles. If you have any news or events you would like her to consider for the My Sevenoaks Community village column you can email it to her at: maggiejmiles@gmail.com
