Go-ahead for new RSPCA rescue centre AN RSPCA animal rescue centre is to be set up in Headcorn. The scheme, at Stones Green, Maidstone Road,will see the es- tablishment of a new cattery and centre for small animals, as well as a dwelling for the centre manager. Maidstone Council granted planning permission on the pro-


viso that premises are only open for customers or deliveries on Mondays to Saturdays, from 9am-6pm. The decision notice added: “When the premises cease to be occupied by the RSPCA, the use shall revert to a single dwelling.” A planning statement says that an existing goat shed will be refurbished as a small animal shelter for rabbits and guinea pigs. It added: “The centre will be operated by a resident warden and two part-time volunteers. It will be open to the public.”


Hunton offices would be ‘unsustainable’


A PLAN to replace a group of industrial units with seven starter offices in Hunton has been dismissed as “unsustainable”. The proposal, for land west of the East Street/ Redwall Lane junction, was to cease the manufacturing use on the site. Maidstone Council claimed the scheme was unsustainable


and “would result in harm to the character and appearance of the countryside designated as a Special Landscape Area”. The decision notice added: “The proposal would be likely to


lead to the intensified use of the access [which]would be likely to lead to conditions prejudicial to highway safety.” Four detached buildings cur-


rently stand on the site which have been used as workshops and for storage – most recently for the manufacture of timber products such as fencing. A Portakabin, two large fuel


tanks and an electricity sub-sta- tion also stand on the site. The workshop and storage buildings would have been de- molished and replaced with a single offices building. Maidstone Council refused a


plan to convert the land into res- idential use inMay 2010.


Lashings given warning Continued from page one


to the police. Mr Burrough said that both the


club owner David Folb and the premises supervisor John Tobin, who was acting as doorman, were "shocked" when they discovered the girl was only 15. She was heavily made up and dressed for a night out, the sub- committee was told. But PC Neil Barnes, licensing of-


ficer, said there had been failings at every level of the club to "simply as- sume" that she was old enough. Mr Burrough said it was a gen-


uine mistake, based on the girl ar- riving with a known adult at 2am. That initial error had been com- pounded byMrTobin admitting her on two further occasion. Mr Tobin accepted that, butMrBurrough said this was his first such transgression in 33 years in the licensed trade. Lashingsnowoperates a strict "no


ID,no entry" policy and has aCCTV system whose coverage and image quality satisfy the police. But the sub-committee decided to officially warn the club and to in- sist that it has a door keeper on duty at all times from 9pm to the end of trading. This person must be regis- tered with the SIA security indus- try association. The premises supervisor must train all bar staff to a required level, with the emphasis on age restriction rules and serving anyone intoxicated. Chairman Cllr Peter Parvin, a for-


mer mayor, said they considered it a "very serious failing".Heaccepted there had been no previous cases involving Lashings, which had since put steps in place that satis- fied most of the points raised by the police. The sub-committee also noted the financial impact on the club if its licence had been sus- pended for a month.


Funds for hearing charity


Ian Brightman, Sam Barker and deputy governor Mark Taylor of HMP Maidstone and, at the front, Liz Clayton and Debra Jones of Hi Kent


THE deputy governor of HMP Maidstone, Mark Taylor, and his colleague Ian Bright- man attended the launch of Hi Kent’s sale of wooden gifts made by inmates of the prison. These included bird tables, photograph holders, tea light holders and various Christmas goods. The items will raise funds for Maidstone-based Hi Kent, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people.


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