Relief over planning guidance
MAIDSTONE Council has re- acted with relief to the release of the Government’s National Plan- ning Policy Framework (NPPF). Last autumn, planning offi-
cers and borough councillors were horrified that the draft document proposed that all councils should be willing to allow a 20% increase in new homes above existing targets. In what was described as a “developers’ charter” and a doc- ument “not fit for purpose”, the council was also concerned that only the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) would be protected, and that large amounts of un- designated countryside else- where in the borough would be vulnerable to development. But the Government’s pub-
lished document, which has re- duced 1,300 pages of guidance to just 59, has allayed these fears: Brownfield land: The draft document encouraged building
Jail for setting
fire to home AMANwho set fire to his part- ner’s house inMaidstone, caus- ing thousands of pounds worth of damage, has been jailed for four years. Jason Hale (25), of no fixed abode, appeared for sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court after he was found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life. On November 18 2011, Hale
was at the property in Lower Boxley Road. He told a neigh- bour he had locked himself out and they let him in through their garden. Hale soon returned, say- ing the house had been burgled. Some time later there was a
loud bang and another neigh- bour raised the alarm, saying a bedroom in the house was alight. The street was evacuated while firefighters put out the blaze.
Sentencing Hale, Judge Mac- Donald said: “It could have been a very different outcome had three fire engines not been called by another person. For- tunately no one died.” Hale also received an eight-
week prison sentence for steal- ing the neighbour’s purse.
Fears for character of countryside THE one downside, according to the council, is that it may be easier to build large houses in the countryside, providing some kind of development already exists. Developers will have a better chance of bringing disused agri- cultural buildings into residential use. The council’s head of planning, Rob Jarman, said: “One can
argue that one of the great charms about the countryside is that you don’t just have pristine neo-Georgian properties. You have ramshackle properties as well. It is a nice mixture. “There are an awful lot of disused buildings in the countryside
and I think it is a shame that a lot of these could be converted into modern housing.”
on greenfield land, but the pub- lished guidance emphasises that brownfield land remains the first priority for new devel- opments. Undesignated open country- side:Will be protected in a sim- ilar way as it is now. The draft document presumed in favour of sustainable development without defining sustainability. Designated countryside:. AONBs and National Park will
be protected, and there will be better protection for ancient woodland, according to Cllr Clive English, who believes that developments such as the Ash- ford Drive affordable housing scheme in Kingswood, which was contentiously accepted three years ago, would not get the go-ahead under the new guidance. 20% “contingency” for new homes: Has now been removed.
Local authorities will define housing targets in local plans. Gypsy provision: In a sepa- rate document released on the same day as the NPPF, greater weight was given to protecting the countryside over the needs of travellers. Previously, gypsies had been given favour under Circular 01/06. However, this change will only apply if the local authority has its own gypsy policy. The earliest time Maidstone Council anticipates having a gypsy policy is 2015 when the Development Plan Document (DPD) is published. Cllr English said: “I am a lot happier with this guidance than when we had the draft.” However, the speed in which
the council can adopt a new DPD is crucial to protect the borough against unwanted de- velopments. He added: “Anything not cov-
ered by the NPPF requires the council to fill in the gaps.”
Panthers just fail to net county basketball title
MAIDSTONE Panthers basketball teamwere runners-up to theWaldersladeWizards in the final of theKent&Medway basketball cup. The Maidstone men were beaten 96–60 by theWalder-
slade team,which comprises many of Kent’s top players. Although theMaidstone team only took second place, it
does not detract from their achievements. The Panthers took the Division 2 title,with 11wins and just one defeat, aswellasbeating several Division1sides to get tothe final. Maidstone nowgointo their final competitionof the sea-
son, theRosebowl cup. Team member LeeWestbrook said: “We will beworking
and training hard during the long ‘off’ season in a bid to come back as cup champions next time!”
Mini market at snooker club
A PLAN has been submitted to re-open a mini market at the Maidstone Snooker Club build- ing in Buckland Hill,Maidstone. In May 2009, Timu Albay was
given an enforcement order to close the enterprise shortly after it opened, as it was a breach of planning permission. Now he has applied for con-
sent to open it again. His sup- porting statement said: “Resi- dents were very happy during the short term of opening of the shop, back in 2009. The com- munity feels the supermarket will benefit them in terms of buying their daily needs.” Maidstone Councilwill decide on the application.
Burial Ground Lane homes withdrawn A PROPOSED development of 29 homes on land west of Burial Ground Lane, Tovil, has been withdrawn. Fernham Homes’ proposal included the construction of a new access from Farleigh Hill as well as new internal access roads, parking spaces, car barns and footpath links.
MP supports work of domestic abuse charity LOCAL MP Helen Grant met victims of domestic abuse, as well as professionalsworking to help them, when she spoke at the launch of K-DASH in Maid- stone.
K-DASH (Kent Domestic Abuse Support And Help) was formerly the Women’s Support Service. K-DASH also works to highlight the number of men who are suffering abuse. Mrs Grant said: “As a family lawyer for 23 years, I witnessed the effects of domestic abuse suffered by my clients. It is a
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horrible crime. I am pleased to support the work of K-DASH, whose services provide practi- cal help, advice and comfort, to victims of domestic abuse, when it is most needed.” Details of K-DASH services,
weekly “drop-ins”, one-stop shops and contacts are available in the organisation’s leaflet, Tackling Domestic Abuse. The K-DASH helpline is
01622 761146 and the out-of- hours number is 07961 021 929. Mrs Grant is pictured with K- DASH chair Claire Crump; Tim Bull, director of Brook Trust, which supports K-DASH; Diana Barran, chief executive of Co- Ordinated Action Against Do- mestic Abuse (CAADA) and Niki Luscombe, chief cxecutive of K-DASH
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk Thumbs up for
Fremlin revamp MAIDSTONE Council has ap- proved the first phase of im- provements at FremlinWalk. This includes a roofed area to
host events to the west end of the shopping area, near House of Fraser, with an LED screen showing centre events, the Olympics, information and ad- vertising. The council will also deter-
mine another application from owner Legal & General to replace the conical roof, stairs and planter beds at the St Faith’s Street entrance with two restau- rant/café units, landscaping and a commemorative civic square next to the Royal Albion pub.
Almshouses scheme THE Cutbush & Corrall Charity has been given permission to ex- tend six almshouses in St Faith’s Street, Maidstone. The scheme will extend the ground floors of each home for kitchens to be installed. Maidstone Council granted permission on condition of an archaeological watching brief, “so that the excavation is ob- served and items of interest recorded”.
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