PLANS to create a strategic em- ployment site on the edge of Maidstone near junction 8 of the M20 have been thrown out by the borough council's cabi- net.


Junction 8 jobs site is jettisoned Where 10,080 new homes might go


The decision delighted repre- sentatives from several neigh- bouring parish councils, including Bearsted, Thurnham, Hollingbourne, Leeds and Lan- gley, who packed the public gallery to hear the debate about the council's Core Strategy for the 15-year period up to 2026. But it disappointed Gallagher Properties, which had wanted to establish about 600,000 sq ft of employment space south of the A20 near Hollingbourne. The firm said its plan fitted in


with the long-term aim to create a new road linking the south of Maidstone with J8, but insisted that the existing infrastructure would be sufficient even if the Leeds/Langley bypass was not delivered. Council leader Chris Garland discounted the chance of the link road being built in the fore- seeable future. "Never say never – maybe it


will come forward in future – but in this plan period to 2026, it will not happen."


THE panel below shows the proposed dispersal of housing across the borough. At the cabinet meeting, David Edwards, director of change, planning and the environment, referred to a map showing urban Maidstone and the large villages to the south-east and south. He said: “These recommendations are not site-specific, but I’m


sure many people will be speculating. Any speculation is, at this stage, premature.” Sue Whiteside, who presented the Core Strategy report, said


the aim was to “balance the needs for prosperity and regeneration and satisfying housing needs”.


MAIDSTONE BOROUGH URBAN SOUTH-EAST SOUTH Harrietsham/ Staplehurst/


Lenham Completions + consents,


2006-10 New greenfield dwellings Urban brownfield potential


4,910


2,100 1,550


Cllr Garland went on: "We


have made it pretty clear that the former KIG land will not be developed. There is absolutely no intention for this council to build on the KIG site." He added he also had a num-


ber of concerns about develop- ment at J8, particularly putting employment space and housing in close proximity.


125


425 ---


Headcorn/ Marden


235


705 ---


"I don't think J8 is appropri-


ate. The local community has undergone the trauma of KIG. Having a development at J8 will still be too close to that area," he added. Fellow cabinet member Cllr Richard Ash did not think 11 hectaresatJunction8–asrec- ommended by officers in the Core Strategy report – would be


a "sustainable" development. He said it is a sparsely popu-


lated rural area. At one time the council had suggested putting a large number of houses there, but that was not happening now, and he wondered if in- dustry of any type should be sited there. He said workers would be totally reliant on cars to get there as there was no public transport. "I can't sup- port that," he added. The cabinet agreed to delete


J8 from the Core Strategy and agreed to Cllr Ash's recommen- dation that the issue of poten- tial employment sites, and their dispersal, be deferred for a re- port in April. Meanwhile, it was agreed that


the borough's housing target for 2006-2026 (including comple- tions and those already planned) should be 10,080. The focus will initially be on rede- veloping brownfield sites in the urban area, followed by new greenfield sites. Development will be on a “dispersed pattern” rather than concentrated on one large estate, as had been previ- ously suggested. The council plans to consult


the public on its Core Strategy proposals later this year.


£300,000 saved by fire service


restructuring KENT Fire and Rescue Service has restructured its senior man- agement team in a move which will save £300,000. Headed by new chief execu-


Older Persons’ Forum is a busy success


THIS was the hectic scene at a meeting of Maidstone Older Persons’ Forum where more than 30 people had to be turned away because the venue could take no more. At least 120 were present at the event, which


took place at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone. The agenda included a short talk on making a will and a presentation by Mel Ryan on the work of the Lowland Search Dog teams in Kent. A collection raised £113 for the unit. Forum chairman Peter Spearink said: “We


had 120 people seated at tables and a few more on seats against the walls. Next time we are going to get more tables and aim to seat 148 people.” Right: Cllr Peter Spearink with members of the forum’s steering committee.


Charity jumble


GRAB a bargain at a jumble sale being held by Maid- stone Mencap on Saturday, March 12, at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park (School Lane en- trance offWillington Street). Doors open at 3pm and admission is 30p. Contact Cath Handley on 07956 332975.


24 Town Customer’s praise for museum staff


MAIDSTONE Museum has been praised for keeping customers happy during work on the East Wing project. Cllr Richard Ash, cabinet mem-


ber for leisure and culture, said the museum had a "very high" sat- isfaction rating of 91% despite being partly closed during the re-


furbishment. He said it was a credit to museum manager Simon Lace and his staff. Agroup of council staff plans to


do a sponsored abseil at Fremlin Walk on Saturday, March 26, to raise funds for the East Wing ex- tension, which is due to open this summer.


tive Ann Millington, who has chosen to take a salary cut, the top tier includes director of op- erations Steve Demetriou and director of community safety Steve Griffiths. The posts of deputy chief executive and di- rector of human resources, which Mrs Millington previ- ously held, are being deleted. Along with other restructur-


ing of the management team, these changes will mean a sav- ing of £297,000 a year. The changes were prompted


by the retirement of the previ- ous chief executive Charlie Hendry who is leaving KRFS after 11 years.


Pub to be converted


into four homes TOWN centre pub The Rising Sun is to become a develop- ment of four homes. Maidstone Council accepted TJK Contracts Ltd’s latest proposal to convert the disused Marsham Street pub into two homes, with an- other two in the car park. An earlier application had


been refused as it was felt that two houses in the car park “would sit uncomfortably with the retained public house building”.


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