Distribution centre agreed by planners
A PROPOSAL for a distri- bution centre near the Cob- tree roundabout off junction 6 of the M20 has been given the go-ahead. Gallagher Properties se-
cured consent for a 3,532 sq metre building at Brook- lyn Yard, Chatham Road, Sandling, after councillors on Maidstone’s planning committee praised the scheme. Boxley Parish Council criticised the develop- ment, which is on an is- land site south-west of the roundabout and bounded by the A229, motorway and slip road, due to po- tential traffic dangers. Cllr Ivor Davies said: “Access appears inade- quate for large vehicles to turn into without blocking traffic. “This road is the only
link from the M20 and Forstal and Sandling Roads to the northbound A229. Exit from the site would be on an upward slope, so vehicles would be slow moving off. This is likely to cause problems. “Anyone who uses this A229 link road will be
aware of how poor visibil- ity is, running into and emerging from the M20 underpass.” He also said there was no
cycle or pedestrian access to the site. However, Kent Highway Services’ representative Louise Rowlands said the access would actually lead to improvements to the road network, and the pro- posal would not lead to
Cllr Stephen Payne said: “This is a high quality application and shows that warehouses can be a success if they fit in to the surroundings. “This is an exemplar scheme.”
any more congestion. Planning officer Steve Clarke said Maidstone Council had reviewed its employment land in the past year and identified a need for between 8.1 and 15.2 hectares of additional B8 storage and distribution land in the borough by 2026. This would help meet that target. He added that
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the proposal included a 4m reduction in ground levels, meaning at least 50 per cent of the building would be below the high- way embankment, so vi- sual impact would be minimal. It was also emphasised
that a previous permission existed for Clive Emson Land and Property Auc- tioneers to set up its head- quarters on the land. Committee member Cllr
Tony Harwood, also a parish councillor at Boxley, supported the scheme. He said: “Since we have had the Audi dealership devel- opment on the other side of the roundabout, it has civilised driver behaviour. This is a mirror image of the Audi scheme and will lead to civilising further the attitude of drivers.” Cllr Clive English said:
“This application will be better than the many per- missions that already exist. I hope that in due course we can see significant em- ployment on this site.” The proposal was given unanimous backing by the committee.
Young apprentices Head teacher Marelle Giles with
apprentices Lois Berry and Debbie Jarvis
MAIDSTONE’s Invicta Grammar School has become one of the first in Kent to re- cruit apprentices, thanks to a partnership with MidKent College. The school in Huntsman Lane, which specialises in business and enterprise, has taken on Lois Berry and Debbie Jarvis on a business administration apprenticeship. The 18-year-olds will combine their jobs
with their studies at MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus. Invicta’s assistant head, Marelle Giles, said: “Our business and enterprise status is all about preparing students for the world of work and we are delighted to support students in a voca- tional approach to work.”
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