Anger over plea for Saturday testing


ANOTHER planning application from the company managing the high-security data centre next to the Vinters Park Nature Re- serve has angered residents. Computer Sciences Corporation, located


in Pegasus Place off Lodge Road next to Maidstone TV studios, was given permis- sion in October to remove the roof of a transformer enclosure to help reduce the noise levels. The company was already in the process of appealing against a noise abatement order served by Maidstone Coun- cil.


Residents from the Bargrove Action Group (BAG) campaigned against the roof


Sport Relief runners raise


£28,500 MAIDSTONE’S Sport Relief Mile has raised more than £28,500 for the charity. More than 850 runners, both


amateurs and professionals, put their best foot forward to take on the six, three or one-mile runs, organised by the borough council. Cabinet member for leisure


and culture, Cllr Richard Ash, said: “What a great effort from the Maidstone people. “Let’s hope when we hold an-


other similar event in 2012 that we can raise even more money. A huge well done goes to all those who took part and help- ing raise such a mammoth amount for Sport Relief.” The final amount raised by


the Maidstone Mile was £28,595.88 – and every penny of it will be spent by Comic Re- lief to help disadvantaged peo- ple, both at home in theUK and across the world’s poorest countries.


Livery business


plan for stables PLANS have been submitted for a commercial DIY livery in Pett Road, Stockbury. When applicant Pauline


Davis was first given planning permission to erect six stables, a tack room and hay store in Pett Valley Stables in Septem- ber 2003, it was on condition that it should not be used for business purposes. She now wants to remove


that condition. The design statement, written by agent David Bass, says: “Her circum- stances have changed and in that she no longer needs the stables and ménage for her own private use but does need to de- rive income from them.”


A MINIATURE replica of Leeds Castle could be established in the castle grounds as an educa- tional and tourist resource. The castle has applied to provide a miniature


Mini replica suggested for Leeds Castle grounds The supporting statement said: “The proposal


castle siege area including a battering ram swing, a knight’s joust, a seated spectator pavilion and various other equipment. The paraphernalia would refer to historic cas-


tle sieges, battles, duals and re-enacted methods of historic punishment.


8 East


aims to create a general educational ethos while maintaining an element of fun. “We are of the opinion that this proposal will enhance the attraction of the site by providing an additional variety of attractions.” The equipment would be located on a 2,500


sqm site that was previously occupied by a large balloon used to give rides to the general public visiting the castle.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Pre-school tots up charity cash


THE current mayor was joined by one if his predecessors, together with dozens of mums and toddlers, for the unveiling of new gates and fencing at theWoodlands Pre-School on Vinters Park. Cllr Eric Hotson is pictured about to cut the ribbon at the com- munity centre, with pre-school manager Anne Taylor (left) and chairman Vanessa Young. Inside, former mayor Cllr Denise Joy was with her daughter, Kerry


Blair, and children, Freya (nine months) and Jake (2), at one of the fund-raising stalls. Half of the £165.98 proceeds went to Children in Need.


removal, claiming it would increase the low-frequency humming noise they say has impaired their quality of life since the data centre was established around six years ago. They have objected to several other appli- cations in recent years because of noise. CSC’s latest application is to vary an ex-


isting condition to be allowed to undertake back-up generator testing on Saturdays, be- tween 8am and 1pm. The applicant’s sup- porting statement says that this procedure carries the risk of component failure result- ing in potential loss of service. It continued: “Due to the high-risk nature of back-up generator testing, it is industry


best practice that these activities are per- formed outside core business hours (Mon- day to Friday) when the impact on client business as a result of service loss is signif- icantly reduced. “Furthermore, most contractual service


level agreements that IT service level providers have with their customers pro- hibit the execution of such high risk activi- ties during the week.” The statement adds that, should the ap- plication not receive planning permission, CSC would have to cease all future genera- tor testing or perform testing during office hours. “Both scenarios involve breaches of client contractual service agree- ments, which will result in fi- nancial loss to CSC and its clients in terms of penalty pay- ments and legal costs, as well as impacting negatively on CSC’s reputation and ability to win outsourcing business.” BAG has criticised this state-


ment, claiming the company should not have signed up to contracts it was unable to ful- fill. A BAG member said: “CSC


told us a year ago that it had no problem with testing during the week. How can they sign a con- tract then find they have not got permission to do testing on Sat- urdays? All they’re trying to do is blackmail Maidstone Coun- cil.


“We have been fighting this problem for six years. One or two people would dearly love to move, but they can’t as their homes are blighted.”


Club applies for


more car spaces THE Bearsted & Thurnham Club wants to extend its car park to provide up to five addi- tional spaces. The members club, on The Green, wants to convert an area it bought in August 2000 from a former occupant of one of the adjacent Invicta Villas. Its design and access state-


ment claims that the current car park is often full, with members sometimes forced to find park- ing elsewhere around The Green. It adds: “It is also felt that trade is affected by this sit- uation among the older mem- bers who need to come by car. “The situation is not helped


by the continuance of unautho- rised parking as a result of the parking restrictions now im- posed around The Green.” Maidstone Council will rule


on the proposal. Suspended jail term


for breaching order CRAIG Miller (27) of Reculver Walk, Senacre, was given a 90- day prison sentence, sus- pended for 12 months, for breaching a community order. He was also ordered to carry


out 140-hours’ unpaid work within the next 12 months for twice failing to attend proba- tion appointments in October last year.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48