Fears as village pub’s revamp is approved


MEMBERSof Maidstone Council’s plan- ning committee raised concerns about the long-term future of Coxheath’s only re- maining village pub. They decided to approve an application


to demolish both the Bird in Hand, at the junction of Heath Road and Stockett Lane, and the neighbouring Londis supermarket, and build, on the same site, eight flats above a pub and retail space earmarked for a new Londis.


The new layout, which will include a fur-


ther two flats and 17 parking spaces to the rear, will increase the retail area from 170sqm to 254sqm while downsizing the pub from 176sqm to 110sqm. Cllr Malcolm Robertson, a substitute com- mittee member, said: “English pubs are dis- appearing at an astonishing rate. I do believe this pub has architectural merit and it’s also a vibrant business. It has been im- proved and decorated in recent times and is


Gill retires after special prayers WHEN Rev Canon Gill Calver read the prayers before Maidstone’s full council meeting it was a doubly spe- cial occasion for Staplehurst. Mayor Cllr Eric Hotson is the first person from the vil-


lage to hold the borough’s chain of office and he was de- lighted to invite Gill, rector of Staplehurst, to the Town Hall to open the meeting formally. Gill, also a chaplain to the Queen, retired a week last


Sunday after a service at All Saints’,which was attended by Cllr Hotson. She is moving to a flat in Littlestone, half way between Staplehurst and Folkestone, the town where she taught for 25 years. “That way, I can keep in touch with friends in both places,” she explained. Gill was ordained deacon in 1992 and two years later,


after a change in the law, joined 22 other women at Can- terbury Cathedral to become the first female priests.


Standing room only at funeral of popular pupil Benjamin


ALL Saints' Church in Loose was packed for the funeral of seven-year-old Benjamin Percival, who collapsed while playing football at school. The tragedy happened on the day before Loose Junior School's Christmas break. Benjamin was taken by ambulance to Maidstone Hospital. Head teacher Jay Pye said: "Everyone connected with the school was extremely shocked and sad-


dened by Benjamin's tragic death on December 16 He was a popular and much-loved pupil who will be greatly missed. There was standing room only at his funeral." Children, parents and staff have been adding messages to a book of condolences since the be- ginning of term. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.


running, as pubs go, in a relatively viable way. “It is a traditional pub with a cellar – a


‘proper’ pub. What is being offered in rec- ompense is pretty poor. There is some con- cern that it may not stay as a pub for long. I doubt it will have a cellar and be a proper pub.” Cllr John AWilson echoed this fear that a


smaller pub might prove easier for an owner to close in the long term. But Cllr Clive Eng- lish dispelled any notion that this could be a ground for re- fusal. He said: “There is an issue about the retention of the pub and we do have to take into ac- count that we want to see that fa- cility retained, but in planning policy terms it’s difficult to re- fuse when you are replacing a pub with another public house facility.” Another voice of dissent was


Maidstone Council conservation officer Mike Parkinson, who noted the fabric of the pub as a “non-designated heritage asset” and worthy of retention. How- ever, the proposal was supported by ward members Cllr Brian Mortimer and Cllr Colin Parr. The latter said: “We have to ac- cept change.” A vote of nine for and two against saw the application re- ceive planning permission, on condition that negotiations would take place to extend the coverage of the proposed flat sedum roof.


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