Evicted squatters move into bank
SQUATTERS who inhabited Maidstone’s former library in St Faith’s Street have now moved into the formerNatWest bank in Bank Street. The group, thought to number between 15 and 20,were ousted from the library by KCC. Town Centre Manager Bill
Moss said: “After being evicted from the library they ap- proached Maidstone Council for housing, but were unsuccessful. We understand they are now in the old Kentish Bank, having at- tempted to get into the Stone Court Hotel. “If you are approached for money do not give them any- thing, but if you wish to make a donation, please give it toMaid- stone Day Centre, who can help them in the best way possible.” The young people got into the library after it had lain empty foralmostayearwhenthe books were transferred to the new History and Library Centre at Springfield. Mark Cheverton, KCC’s estates manager, said: “There is a key distinction to be made between these so-called ‘lifestyle squat- ters’, who unlawfully trespass, cause great nuisance, inconven- ience and cost significant sums of money to evict – all paid for by the council-tax payers of Kent – and those genuinely homeless
rough sleepers and other vulner- able groups in need of housing. “Illegal squatting is not the answer to the problem of home- lessness. The county council takes both issues equally seri- ously. Whilst we had to take firm and immediate steps to re- gain possession of our property, we have at the same time sought to offer help to the most needy and vulnerable.” Maidstone’s Green party be- lieves KCC should have shown
more compassion by allowing the homeless to use empty space. Stuart Jeffery, from the Green
party, said: “These young people were putting an unused building to good use as a home, but thanks to the actions of the county coun- cil they have to find somewhere else to live while the building goes back to being empty.“The group are keen to live sustain- ably, growing food and working for a living. They just need a place where they can do this.
Maidstone Library has sat empty for the past year and while it might not be an ideal building, it could help them.” Mr Cheverton said that while
the situation was ongoing, KCC had worked with Maidstone Council and homeless charity Porchlight to see what support and assistance could be given. He continued: “Although the premises were empty, they will be required for KCC use in the near future.”
Town’s Russian gun is on the move
ONE of Maidstone’s “big guns” is on themove. But this time, it’s not a senior council figure or top-earn- ing business guru – but, literally, a big gun! The historic cannon, which sits
in a prime position near the junc- tion of Mill Street and the Lower High Street, is being relocated as part of the road improvement scheme. The Russian gun and its plinth
are to be shifted only slightly, to fit in with the paved road scheme, where they willbesetamongeight newtrees andilluminatedatnight. The council has applied for plan-
ning consent to carry out the works andaspokesmansaid: “The cannon and plinth are to be relo- cated to afford the monument a
more central position, commensu- rate with its importance.” The process of relocating the cannon will involve its temporary removal and careful demolition
and reconstruction of the stone plinth, using theexisting materials wherever possible. The cannonwill then be re-sited on the reinstated plinth.
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