From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk. 13 March 2014.

Filling in pond near The Royal Oak in Bean could lead to flooding say villagers.

Villagers fear the loss of a 150-year-old pond if a housing development on the site of a former pub goes ahead.

The Royal Oak, School Lane, Bean.

Bean Residents’ Association and the parish council have objected to plans to demolish the Royal Oak and build one four-bed and five three-bed houses.

They argue that the pond with its willow tree is a natural and historic feature of the village and provides a wildlife haven.

The association is also concerned that filling in the pond could lead to flooding at the junction of School Lane and Sandy Lane.

However, a report to Dartford council’s development control board states the pond has “limited amenity value” and, despite residents’ views, is “unlikely to be of significant value” to wildlife.

It also says the pond has not been identified by the Environment Agency as a “drain” or that the plans pose a flood risk.

The development has, therefore, been recommended for approval at the meeting tonight (Thursday).

The Royal Oak, School Lane, Bean.

Peter Luker, who lives in Drudgeon Way and is a member of the residents’ association, said the development would spoil one of the last bits of rural Bean.

He said: “The pond has been a feature of the village and provided pleasure for residents and visitors. Ducks, frogs, tadpoles, water boatmen and newts have made it their home.

"It is an ideal nature study resource for our local school.”

While Mr Luker agreed the pond was “something of an eyesore”, he added it was slowly recovering after a community payback team cleared debris in 2012.

He said: “This weekend the water was very healthy with lots of weed evident and the frogs were busy making the next generation of their species.

"The willow tree is alive and sprouting. Given time the pond will regenerate.

"We hope that the members of the board will decide to save our pond so that our children and grandchildren will enjoy it.”

However, the report to the council says that while it understood residents’ concerns, it was difficult to object to the scheme given the pond’s current state and there was not a strong case for its retention.

It adds, however, that an assessment should be carried out before development into any contamination resulting from previous commercial use of the land.

The residents’ association has suggested the pond be transferred to parish ownership.

From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Hunter. 18 March 2014.

Pond near The Royal Oak in Bean has been saved following Dartford council decision.

Don’t be surprised if you hear strains of the Frog Chorus drifting down from the Royal Oak at night – the frogs of Bean are jumping for joy after the reprieve of their home.

The 150-year-old pond had been threatened with destruction by a plan for a new housing development on the site, which would also involve the demolition of the former Royal Oak pub nearby.

Now villagers are overjoyed after the application was sunk at a Dartford council planning meeting.

Planners refused it on the grounds of “over-dense development”, “lack of affordable housing”, “unsustainable housing”, and “loss of pond.”

Peter Luker, who lives in Drudgeon Way and is a member of the Bean Residents’ Association, said the pond, although in need of some tidying up, was in a healthy state – and was now full of relieved frogs celebrating the decision, and the arrival of spring, in the only way they know how.

“It’s a bit of a mess but it’s recovering,” he said. “It’s got a lots of duckweed and frogs at the moment, which is a sign that it’s in good health.

“We’re confident the pond will recover, and if it gets help from the villagers and the parish council it will recover faster.”

Previously the Bean Residents’ Association and the parish council had formally objected to plans to build one four-bed and five three-bed houses there, arguing the pond with its willow tree was a natural and historic feature of the village and provided a wildlife haven.

They were also worried filling in the pond could lead to flooding at the junction of School Lane and Sandy Lane.

But they feared the worst when a report to Dartford council’s development control board stated the pond had “limited amenity value” and was “unlikely to be of significant value” to wildlife.

Then came the latest decision.

“I sat there in a euphoric state,” said Mr Luker. “The net result is the villagers are delighted.”

He said the waters surrounding the application remain muddied as the applicants could still appeal and were also attempting to gain permission for another plan that does not affect the pond.