An artist’s impression of the plans for the Powerhub building
Powerhub plan ‘set to revive riverside’
PLANS to breathe new life into land fronting the Medway in Maidstone have been unveiled to the public. Baltic Wharf (Maidstone) Ltd, which owns the former Power- hub building in St Peter Street, is hoping to attract interest from a major supermarket chain, with a view to creating retail, parking and high quality office and leisure space along the river. Earlier plans to demolish the building had to be shelved when it was given a Grade II listing by English Heritage in February last year. According to Paul Graham, of
Baltic Wharf: “This is a key site for regeneration on the west bank of the river Medway. The proposal will complete the river walkway. “It will see the regeneration of the strategic gate- way and river- side site and secure the long term future and regeneration of the listed Power- hub building (above) as a her- itage asset.” The 1.5 hectare site includes
land currently occupied by Raglan House, the FabricWare- house and Lincoln Furniture. It is divided by the railway line running from Maidstone Bar- racks to Maidstone East and in- cludes land to the north side of the railway bridge, currently used for parking.
The Powerhub, formerly the
Tilling Stevens factory, dates back to 1917. The developer in- tends to submit an outline plan- ning application soon. The aim is to provide a major
food store, with more than 300 car parking spaces at ground and first-floor level, together with a restaurant, leisure and office facilities for professional and financial services. There will be improved land- scaping and pedestrian access and the company says the schemewill result in significant new employment in the town, with an estimated 250 jobs in the retail sector and at least 100 more working in the office and leisure side.
Major road improvements would be needed, the company conceded, with the creation of a new access roundabout to the north of St Peter Street, improve- ments to the top ofBucklandHill and alterations to the gyratory system, including the possible addition of an extra lane. Any proposed alterations to
the Powerhub building will re- quire listed building consent.
Open all hours for fitness fans RESIDENTS in KingsHill could have the chance towork out at any time of the day or night if plans for a new gym are approved. A vacant office unit at 10 Kings Hill Avenue has been earmarked
for a 24-hour gym, which could be accessed with a personal PIN code outside standard opening times. Liberty Property Trust has applied for the change of use of the single-storey building, saying the gym would focus on the use of equipment at a “value for money” price and would therefore not detract from the nearby David Lloyd fitness centre. It would initially employ three full-time staff, potentially rising
to five within 12 months. Itwould be staffed between 9am and 8pm and at other times, a central monitoring station would cover the premises and ensure the safety of users. Thiswould have access to emergency services and could control doors. Between these hours, gym goers could gain entrance with a PIN code. In its application to Tonbridge andMalling Council, Liberty said
the gym would provide a flexible service “especially for those who are unable to train during standard gym hours.” There would be a low cost membership scheme while providing high-quality equipment.
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk Malling 9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40