Millions of reasons to be cheerful
MAIDSTONE is bucking the trend in the face of gloomy economic news elsewhere. A total of £200m is being invested in the County Town's cultural, leisure, education and hospital infrastructure. Also, the town centre has far fewer empty
shops than the rest of Kent – an average of 10%. The national rate is 14.5%. And in recent weeks the borough council
has been seeking residents' views on how to make Maidstone even better, in terms of jobs, housing, regeneration and transport. Cabinet member CllrMalcolm Greer, who
is deputy leader of the ruling Tory group, said Maidstone is the envy of other local au- thorities in Kent, which are being forced to put a stop on big capital projects. Cllr Greer said that at a recent KCC leaders
New homes would be
‘distressing’ for residents A PROPOSED development of eight new homes for people aged over 55 to the rear of the former Lady Jane pub in Church Green, Marden, has been refused. Maidstone Council argued the outline ap- plicationwas lacking in detail and would be likely to adversely affect a nearby horse chestnut tree. The decision notice added: “The site is unlikely to be a suitable envi- ronment for new housing, being located di- rectly adjacent to a working abattoir. “This would be an unpleasant place to
live, bearing in mind the likely impact of noise from machinery, smells and the dis- tressing noise from animals awaiting slaugh- ter.” The site was most recently used as parking for the former pub, which is cur- rently an Indian restaurant.
meeting, a couple of them came up to him and said: "You are clearly ahead of the game.” Major schemes include:
Maidstone Museum's £4m East Wing ex- tension, opening soon High Street improvement under way – £2m Mote Park major facelift – £2.5m, backed by the Lottery Library and History Centre – £10m KCC project, part-finished Leisure Centre – £6m upgrade, completed Mid Kent College – £23m on planned new facilities Future Schools Trust – £62m investment in two academies (Cornwallis and NLL) St Augustine’s Academy – £12.5m new
build planned at ex-Astor of Hever site Senacre vocational skills studio – £1m Private hospital planned near Newnham Court – £78m. Meanwhile, the town now has a high-
speed train link to London. Take-up of the Maidstone West to St Pancras service has been "good". And the council has been consulting the public on how to bring 10,000 jobs to Maid- stone in the next 15 years as well as deliver- ing thousands of new homes. Council leader Chris Garland said “Maid-
stone really is bucking the economic trend and is becoming the place for businesses, residents and local authorities to invest in. Maidstone is now moving ahead after many years of inactivity.”
Sutton Valence cadet takes top honours
ANDY Thomas (pictured), a member of Sutton Valence Combined Cadet Force, was one of only 12 British cadets selected to take part in a Cana- dian summer camp. Andy, from Tonbridge, enjoyed six weeks in North America at the
Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre. He achieved the highest overallmark for the leadership and challenge activities and thus held the position of deputy commanding officer in the final parade, the highest position a British Cadet can hold. He also received awards for Best British Cadet, Best Cadet on Rock and Best Cadet onMountain Bike. Andy said, “This has been an incredible summer. As top British cadet, I’m hoping to be asked back as staff for next year’s course. I can’t wait.”
Scouting for homes at former HQ
WILLIAM Day has resubmitted an application to re- place the former Headcorn Scout headquarters in Ulcombe Road with a terraced development of three two-bedroom homes. A similar scheme was withdrawn a year ago.
Partridge raid
AROUND 1,000 partridge birdswere stolen from prem- ises in Knowle Hill in Ul- combe. Wire fencing was also damaged.
16 South
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