Unrest over Mote Park homes sale
CONCERNS have been raised about the sale of two council-owned houses on the edge of Mote Park. Independents and Lib Dems were un-
happy with answers to questions about access via the park and future use of the properties. Cllr Mike Fitzgerald, Independents'
Raigersfeld Lodge and the sign advertising its sale by auction. An officer’s report ruled out alternative uses due to the premises' general condition and the refurbishment costs.
leader, also criticised the council for in- structing auctioneers Clive Emson to ad- vertise Raigersfeld Lodge and Raigersfeld House before a deadline allowing the sell-off decision to be 'called in' for scrutiny. The properties, both accessed via a shared driveway in the park, are vacant and have been vandalised recently. Lib Dems' leader Cllr Fran Wilson questioned what protection therewould be for the brownfield site if it were sold. She said the only vehicle access was through the park, something the council had tried to restrict. She added the Lib Dems had been say-
ing for a long time the council should be offering parks apprenticeships and that
Loose Tag team takes the honours The annual sports event, which
PUPILS at Loose Junior School cele- brated their win at the TAG Rugby Festival. The students had an 11-7 win against runners up Roseacre Junior School,Bearsted, while PalaceWood Primary School came third. Green- fields School, Shepway, were handed the Spirit of Rugby Fair Play award.
took place at Maidstone Rugby Club in Mote Park, saw more than 250 pupils across the borough compete. Greenfields was invited to theKent
Fair Play TAG finals on June 9 and the highest placed local teams in the festival have been invited to The Kent Rugby TAG finals on June 10. Picture courtesy of DE
this would be an ideal location for such a scheme. "Once these have been sold we have nowhere else to go," continued Cllr Wilson. The historic park is currently undergoing a £2.5m revamp with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant. Cllr FitzGerald said: "Why would we
want to sell off important parts of the park at a time we want to restore it. I have written to the cabinet member (Marion Ring) expressingmy concern.” He said he had driven past the auction
signs inAshford Road, three days before the call-in period expired on Friday, May 20. At that stage, Cllr FitzGerald had not decided whether to call in the matter. An officer's report to Cllr Ring, who
took the decision as cabinet member for corporate services, said the properties - a Kent hall house and a smaller gate lodge - had fallen victim to theft and criminal damage. "Retention of the properties by the council is considered to be too high a risk and therefore should be sold as soon as possible," said the report.
No to extension A PROPOSED two-storey side extension at a home in Jeffrey Close, Staplehurst, was refused. Maidstone Council decided
that the proposed scale, loca- tion and design would erode a visually important space be- tween dwellings and harm the character and appearance of the area.
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