Town March 2011

THE redevelopment of Kent Music School in Hastings Road, Maidstone, may end up with no affordable housing. Kent Music, which has been based in Ast-

Affordable homes may be sacrificed Exotic rhythms in concert at Kent Music

ley House for 10 years, plans to sell off the site for housing due to funding problems. It wants to relocate services directly into schools and operate from a small adminis- tration hub elsewhere in Maidstone. Its outline application to demolish the building and replace it with homes was given planning permission. But only after planning committee members demanded a big reduction in the 25 dwellings that were planned for the site. Committee member Cllr Tony Harwood

said: “This is one of the most important and significant applications we have had in the town centre for many years. If we get it

KENT Music is hosting two unusual concerts as part of a series being run by Equator World Music. Kasai Masai (pictured), a five-piece band performing tra- ditional rhythms from the heart of Congo, are appearing on Saturday, March 19. Their performance at 7.30 is pre- ceded by a workshop at 6.30. Oud player Attab Haddad and his quintet perform their

fusion of flamenco and jazz, combining Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, on Saturday, May 21. Both concerts are at Kent Music’s centre at Astley House, in Hastings Road, Maidstone. Info: Maidstone Tourist Information Centre, 01622 602169.

wrong we could see the deterioration of a good residential neighbourhood.” It was stressed that this may only be pos- sible by having fewer than 14 homes on the

Callum is mobile again

MAIDSTONE Lions have come to the aid of a local toddler who suffers from cerebral palsy. Until recently, four-year-old Callum’s parents, Jenny

Trochimiuk and Grant Harris, were able to adapt nor- mal trikes but as Callum got bigger, he needed a spe- cial trike that we could alter as he grew. However, the family could not afford the cost of nearly £2,000. So since September the chairman of Lions Welfare Committee, David Johnson, has been working with them to provide Callum with a specially made trike that will give him mobility and some independence. Club president David Priestley said: “Callum is a

bright and cheerful lad and I am so pleased that we have given him something that will give him pleas- ure for a good number of years.” Anyone interested in the work of Maidstone Lions

can call their their membership secretary on 01622 814529.

site, which would mean that the developer would not be duty-bound to provide 40% affordable housing, as per council policy. One Hastings Road resident had spoken

against the scheme on behalf of 52 objecting neighbours. As well as ar- guing against the introduction of so many units, she felt the 19th century Astley House should be conserved for heritage reasons. This view was backed by both

KCC’s heritage group and Maidstone Council’s conservation officer Mike Parkinson. However, members could not re-

fuse on this basis due to precedent – in 1999, Maidstone Council granted planning permission for the demoli- tion of Astley House. The application was passed, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement to formalise the de- veloper’s financial contribution. As the Downs Mail went to press,

this issue was in the hands of Maid- stone Council’s legal team.

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