Top marks for


new museum MAIDSTONE Museum has re- ceived top marks for the eighth year in a row. The Visitor Attraction Qual-


ity Assurance Scheme, man- aged by VisitEngland, found the museum’s new-look buildings, facilities and galleries, had added greatly to the overall vis- itor experience and were of an excellent quality. They said staff provided a friendly and professional wel- come and played an important role in the enjoyment of a visit. Simon Lace, museum man-


ager, said: “This is a fantastic outcome for us, as we pride ourselves on this report. Our visitors are the most important thing to us and we want to make sure we give them the best possible experience we can.


“Maidstone Museum is one of


the leading tourist attractions in Kent and one of the best mu- seums in the south east, and this report just highlights all the work we are doing tomain- tain this status.” The VAQAS report is based


on a wide range of factors, in- cluding telephone enquiries, emails, promotional leaflets, the website, signs, customer service, the attraction itself, catering, the shop, facilities and general observations.


Kickboxing to stay THE kickboxing academy at Unit 6, Cuxton Road Industries, Cuxton Road, Park Wood, can stay, planners agreed. TKO had to move from the Powerhub Centre, St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, into the new premises before Christmas, prior to receiving planning per- mission.


Maidstone Council granted temporary retrospective con- sent until March 2015.


Multiple success JASON Muller has been given retrospective permission to convert 16 Mote Road, Maid- stone, into a house of multiple occupation.


A KWIK Fit garage proposed for 188 Loose Road, Maid- stone, could harm neighbour- ing businesses and pose safety concerns, it has been claimed. But objectors cannot do any-


thing about it, as change of use consent is not needed due to the site, located near North View, was once occupied by a Honda motorcycle dealership. The planning committee was compelled to accept an appli- cation for advertisement con- sent for the installation of illuminated and non-illumi- nated signs. Bob Kitchin,whoowns nearby


28 Town


Scissor Sisters, told the commit- tee: “My business will be af- fected by the exhaust centre. “I don’t think having a beauty salon next to an exhaust centre is a good thing. Itwill be a noisy place next to ours, which aims to promote a tran- quil setting.”


Body lay in flat for weeks


THE body of a Maidstone man who died at his town centre flat could have lain undiscovered for almost three weeks, an in- quest heard. The body of 62-year-old Charles Wilkins was found slumped in an armchair in his flat in Ashford Road, when po- lice force their way in through a first-floor bathroom window. The Maidstone inquest heard


thatMrWilkins was a highly in- telligent man and a former draughtsman. However, he was a heavy


smoker, an alcoholic, suffered from emphysema and was be- coming increasingly confused following a bout of pneumonia five years ago. His landlord contacted the po-


lice after failing to raise an an- swer from his flat for over a week. They found Mr Wilkins slumped in an armchair, but his body was so badly decomposed, it was only identifiable from his signet ring. DS Glyn Bevan told the in- quest that there was unopened


Dancer chosen for Olympic role A STUDENT from Pe- nenden Heath, Maid- stone, has won the opportunity to per- form at the Olympics opening ceremony. Pat Azimi (18), who


goes to MidKent Col- lege, will take part in the extravaganza on the first day of the London 2012 games, on July 27. The young street- dancer, who studies sport and exercise sciences at the Maid- stone campus, won his place after a series of auditions. Sports science programme manager Vickie Sampson said: “This


is a fantastic opportunity for Pat. He is a gifted dancer and I know he will work incredibly hard to ensure he performs at his best dur- ing the ceremony.” About one billion people – 15% of theworld’s population – tuned in to watch the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony in 2008.


Concern as conversion is agreed


CONCERNS over the character of Somerfield Road were voiced over an application to convert a large home into six flats. Maidstone Council’s planning committee granted permission for the conversion of Pine Lodge, which has 13 bedrooms, five reception rooms, two kitchens and four bathrooms. Cllr James Ross, member for Bridge ward, said: “This area is like a little village in the ward. This is the type of property we see in Somerfield Road that we


are in danger of losing. There is no shortage of flats in Maid- stone, Bridge ward or Buckland Hill, but the unique atmosphere of large houses with gardens in this part of Somerfield Road is being lost.” However, committee member


Cllr Clive English said: “There are no changes to the external character of the building, so it is hard to argue that there is any impact on the location in phys- ical terms.” The application was accepted unanimously.


Beauty salon owner laments plan for garage He also shared concernswith


the North Loose Residents As- sociation and borough Cllr Ian Chittenden over road safety. Mr Kitchin added: “When I


look out of my shop window I see people arguing, beeping their horns and see children running between cars. “The traffic congestion is ter-


rible and this will make it twice as bad.” While members of the plan-


ning committee sympathised with the situation, there were no grounds for them to refuse the advertisement consent ap- plication.


mail and an open newspaper dated October 11 on the table. Mr Wilkins’ body was discov- ered on October 31. The flat was tidy and very se-


cure and there were no signs of forced entry. Patricia Harding, coroner for Mid-Kent and Maidstone, said it was impossible to identify the cause of death because of the ac- celerated decomposition of the body and difficult to estimate the actual date of Mr Wilkins’ death. She recorded an open verdict.


Grant bid for


‘gym’ in park THE group Friends of South Park is working with local councillors to prepare a bid for cash from Sport England. Sport England has a dedi-


cated “Olympic Legacy” fund, to mark Britain’s Olympic year, and residents hope they can be persuaded to contribute to- wards the costs of creating a multi-use games area, which will include adult exercise equipment, in South Park. Cllr Denise Joy said: “If we


succeedwiththisbid,itwill provide fantastic new additions to the facilities.” The “Places People Play” pro- gramme is a £135m National Lottery programme being deliv- ered by Sport England, in part- nership with the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the British Paralympic As- sociation (BPA) with the back- ing of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the London 2012 Inspire mark. Sport England is focused on helping communities create a sporting habit for life, by pro- viding more opportunities for young people to play sport, nurture and develop talent, provide the right facilities in the right places, support local authorities and unlock funding.


Rose Inn plan ANOTHER application has been made to redevelop the Rose Inn pub in Farleigh Hill, Tovil. In April last year, permission


was granted for five two-bed- room terraces and three two- bedroom flats – a reduction on a previous consent for 11 two-bed flats and three two-bed houses. Now, Chartway Group Ltd


has applied to build 14 homes – two two-bedroom houses, 10 two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats. The scheme, which includes 12 parking spaces and 24 cycle spaces, would be 100% afford- able housing. The applicant claims the pro-


posal would reduce the density of the most recent application.


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