Stoves by Edmed


MP’s home plans face opposition


LOCAL MP Helen Grant (pic- tured) is facing local opposition as she attempts to sell her home in Surrey. Residents in Kingswood, near Reigate, are unhappy at a se- ries of planning proposals onthe site of her £2m home, which hasbeenonthe market for the past 18 months. The five-bedroom detached house, now listed as “under offer”, has been the subject of three planning applications. In November 2011, an applica-


tion from Safran Land Ltd to de- molish the house and replace it with ‘three bespoke family dwellings’ was withdrawn fol- lowing objections from neigh- bours. However, the developer has now lodged a second appli- cation for the demolition of the house and building of three new houses on site.Thiswill be deter- mined by Redhill and Bansted Borough Council.


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EDMED STOVES - COAL - CHIMNEY SWEEPING 18 East In the meantime, an application


has been lodged to demolish the house and replace it with a de- tached house and seven apart- ments. This application was refused last summer, but is now the subject of an appeal. It is thought the Maidstone and


WealdMP plans to sell her prop- erty and move into her con- stituency and that the planning permissions would make her home more attractive to buyers. Neighbour Andy Hicks said:


“The erection of three houses in place of one is not in keeping with the area. The developers ap- pear to be taking advantage of the planning authorities and local residents by bombarding both with applications in the hope that they will give up.” Resident Justus van der Spuy


said he and his neighbours were beginning to suffer “planning ap- plication fatigue” while Rose- mary Satchell, whose home overlooks the Grants, said the ap- plications contained several mis- leading statements and should be thrown out.


A Christmas trip of a lifetime BEARSTED’S Elizabeth Hext will never forget this Christmas trip (pictured right). The wife of Maidstone’s former head of police,


Ch Supt Roger Hext, she is pictured being hoisted from a cruise ship to a helicopter over the At- lantic.


Elizabeth was left with an open leg wound on Christmas morning after she tripped over a sunbed on deck. An emergency helicopter had al- ready been called for another passenger and it was decided Eliz- abeth should join him on the three-and-a-half hour flight of a four-and-a-half hour journey to a hospital in Gran Canaria. “It was a terrifying experience,” said Roger. “The helicopter


could not land on board and Elizabeth had to be hoisted in a strong wind which blew her about.” Roger did not see Elizabeth again until New Year’s Day when


the ship made a scheduled stop at Gran Canaria, where she re- boarded for the journey home. “Elizabeth was remarkably brave,” said Roger,who retired from


the police about 18 years ago. “She has had to protect the leg care- fully until the wound completely heals. One of her biggest worries was that her expensive spectacles would fall off in to the sea!”


Sunday football extension plan APLANNING application has been submitted to extend the Sun- day playing hours of the football pitches in Honey Lane, Otham. A condition dating back to 1994 restricts use to the hours be-


tween 10am and 2pm, butAlbert McNaughton has requested that the facility is used until 5pm. He said: “The use of the ground has not created any unsocial behaviour, traffic problems or excessive noise levels. Sunday sports activities are now the norm for all of the family, unlike in 1994.


“Girls and ladies and special needs people require in themain


a PMstart time. They need sole use of facilities and, with special needs, more time to arrive and get ready.” Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.


Man in court after bomb hoax DAVID Williams (48), of Knaves Acre, Headcorn, has appeared in court, charged with blackmail, in connection with a bomb hoax at Morrisons supermarket in Sutton Road,Maidstone. He was remanded on bail until March 28 during a brief preliminary hearing at Maidstone Crown Court. His bail conditions include a tagged curfew from 6pm to 6am and not going near the store. The supermarket was closed for several hours on December 10 after reports that an explosive device had been left in the shop.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


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