Approval of ‘jarring’ Salts
homes could set precedent THE planning committee reiterated Maidstone Council’s op- position to a proposal to replace an existing house with four new homes in Salts Avenue, Loose. Members agreed with the officer’s recommendation to refuse
the application on the grounds that it would be out of charac- ter and visually jarring to the local area. It was also felt that neighbour Frank Horner would be ad- versely affected. He told the committee: “I have lived at Salts Avenue for 40 years. If the development goes ahead itwill have a devastating effect on our lives. Due to the density and visual aspect it will be overbearing. “This development, if permitted, would set a precedent for similar applications in the vicinity.” The refusal was the second relating to the property in less
than a year. In December 2010, an application to replace exist- ing buildings with six new homes was refused due to its scale being out of character with the local area.
District commander returns to his roots
THE new district police com- mander for Maidstone has begun his second stint in the county town. Chief inspector Adrian
Futers (42) started his career in Maidstone in 1987 and, having risen through the ranks, has re- turned for a second spell. He replaces temporary chief inspector Steve Griffiths, who is staying in Maidstone, but moving to head up the police element of the Community Safety Unit, based in the bor- ough council offices. Chief Insp Futers previously worked in Tonbridge as a tem- porary superintendent. As the
new district commander, he will over- see and con- trol one of the largest policing dis- tricts in the county. He said: “It feels like coming
home. I know the area well, having spent the first seven years of my service here and I previously played rugby for the local club.” Chief Insp Futers, who lives
just outside Maidstone, is mar- ried with two children and his wife is also a police offi- cer.
Smell of success in food recycling
PROBLEMS with flies and bad odours caused by theAllington in- cinerator have been eased since the borough council brought in a new food waste policy earlier this year.
Four out of every five homes in
the Maidstone area now recycle their food waste by putting it in separate kitchen caddies, for collection by the council. Each week, more
than 100 tonnes of food is sent for composting to the Blaise Farm facility atWest Malling. Prior to the scheme being in- troduced in Janu- ary, householders put their surplus food in the same bin as general household waste, which was transported to the in- cinerator at Allington. Residents on the estate used to complain regularly about the
Complaints log IN the last quarter of last year, the plant’s commu- nity liaison committee heard that 10 complaints had been received from residents. “Of these,” ac- cording to the minutes, “seven related to odour (four justified and three unjustified), two related to flies (neither of which was found to be justified); and one unjustified com- plaint related to black smoke from the stack.”
smell and the swarms of flies at- tracted to the plant. But there have been far fewer in- cidents now that the separately collected food waste goes to Blaise Farm. Local councillor Malcolm Robertson said: “We don’t have the odour or fly problems any more. The smell is much reduced. “We had some
jolly hot weather recently but we didn’t have the fly problem as be- fore.” The borough’s recycling rate has shot up to 45% this year, putting the council well on track to achiev- ing its 50% target. Cllr Marion cabinet
Ring, member for the en-
vironment, said local farmers use the compost to grow more food. “It’s a great system, simple and very sustainable,” she added.
Flowers for Christmas event at village hall MAIDSTONE Flower Club's Christmas demonstration takes place at Sutton Valence Village Hall on November 10, from 7pm. Entrance is by ticket only: £7 members, £8 non-members. A drink is included in the price. Info: 01622 741207.
18 South
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330
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