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Sainsbury’s given the brush-off


SAINSBURY’s has been told it cannot form part of a new housing development in Loose Road,Maidstone. In March last year, Maidstone Council granted planning permission for the erec- tion of 14 new homes on the site of Maid- stone Ambulance Station, which has downsized into a community response post, due to county services amalgamating in PaddockWood. The latest scheme, from Oliver James Homes, requested a reduction in the num- ber of homes to nine, but with the addition of a Sainsbury’s Local store, which would have provided 278sqm of retail space. Despite being urged to accept the re- vamped scheme by officers, the council’s planning committee refused, claiming the new convenience store would have com- promised the design, layout and amenity space on the development. There were 71 objections to the scheme,


with respondents concerned about highway safety, lack of parking and the impact on the


Charity needs men to support


cancer patients A NEW befriending and sup- port service is looking for vol- unteers – especially men. The Macmillan Befriending


and Practical Support Service, run by Voluntary Action Maid- stone, is struggling to keep pace with the referrals coming in. Co-ordinator Jane Pantony


said: “We try to match volun- teersand thepeopleweare supporting as much aswe can.” Unfortunately, the service has


just one male volunteer to its ten female volunteers – and Macmillan would like to ex- tend the service to a much wider area ofWest Kent. Jane said: “There is a definite shortage when it comes to men volunteering. Our service aims to meet some of the ‘unmet needs’ of those of us livingwith cancer, not only the person with cancer but their family and friends too.” One of the recent referrals


was a man living with ad- vanced prostate cancer, who couldn’t get out very much. “He was a retired cabbie and


our volunteer took him to a local transport cafe, where he was able to enjoy a good chat and a full English breakfast. It made both their days.” Jane said: “We would like to


reach more people who may be isolated by cancer. To do this we need more volunteers and we wouldlovetohearfrom anyone interested in volunteer- ing to meet some of the unmet needs of people living with cancer.We have a high level of referrals that are men who would ideally like to have a chat with another man.” For more information please contact the Macmillan Be- friending and Practical Support Service at Voluntary Action Maidstone 01622 677337.


viability of the shops in nearby Boughton Parade.


Objector Carole Gandy told the commit-


tee: “There are already shops that provide the facilities that the new convenience store would duplicate. Why take away estab- lished business livelihoods? “Convenience stores encourage people to


stop their cars at the nearest point to the shop. This one is to be erected on a busy main road in close proximity to major traf- fic lights for the Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junction. “Itwould appear planners are ensuring this junction will be in permanent gridlock.” These objections were also echoed by


North Loose Residents Association and local ward borough member Cllr Derek Mortimer. Mr Atkinson, representing Sainsbury’s,


said the facility would create 25 new jobs and reduce the number of vehicle move- ments: “This is a much-needed facility for top-up shopping for the 3,000 people who


HUNDREDS of residents showed how much they love their home town when they took part in com- munity event Love Maidstone. Volunteers gathered in Jubilee Square for a midday roadshowbe- fore beingassigned to oneofmore than 20 community projects. Graffiti was removed, play- grounds repainted, green areas spruced up and gardens planted. At Treetops Academy in Park Wood, the playground was rejuve- nated and a newmural painted for the children. Teams cleaned up the grounds


of East Borough Primary School and areas of Maidstone Rugby Club playing fields, tidied the gar- dens of elderly Tovil residents, and picked up litter around the town. After all the hard work, volun-


teers returned to Jubilee Square for an evening of live entertain-


live in this part of Loose Road, south of the Wheatsheaf pub. “It is well-placed for walking and would reduce the need for traffic from this area to go further afield. So it will encourage peo- ple in the Wheatsheaf area not to go to Mor- rison’s and those around Cripple Street not to go to Tesco.” Kent Highway Services agreed with this stance, and decided not to object on high- way grounds. However, the proposal’s poor design, in- cluding the siting of the access road, and its effect on the amenity of existing and future local residents, including lack of open space and increased congestion, were rea- sons cited by the committee to unanimously vote against it. Cllr Clive English, a substitute committee member, said: “This is fine in policy terms but the problem is the delivery. Taken to- gether, the application for housing and con- venience store give poor design, because of the physical relationship between them.”


Residents show their love for Maidstone


Some of the many volunteers who took part in the Love


Maidstone community day


ment,courtesyoflocal actors, dancers and musicians, including the choir fromStMichael’sSchool. Neil Pattison, chairman of Love


Maidstone, said: “Love Maidstone wasanopportunity to bring people together to do somethinggreat for the town, but we got more than that. People picked up tools and joined in the sense of community. A fun and action packed day: defi-


New home for protected newts


LANDat BrooklynPark nearM20Junction6is ready for business after the successful translocation of great crested newts in a £100,000 operation. The newts have been moved to the majestic surroundings of Allington


Castle in an 18-month rehoming project. The protected species had been living on land designated for a new 1.9-hectare distribution centre near the Cobtree roundabout. Developer Gallagher Properties funded the operation and appointed a specialist, Canterbury-based Dr Lee Brady of Calumma Ecological Serv- ices, toensure thecreatureswere unharmed.Reptile fencingwas installed ontheBrooklynPark siteandbucketsandbottle trapswere checkedevery morning for 60 consecutive days. The site could only be signed off if there were no great crested newts discoveries for five days in a row. Ponds have been created in the grounds of Allington Castle and more than 1,500 newts and tadpoles have settled into their newsurroundings.


Ex-councillor’s demolition plan


FORMER KCC Cllr Alan Chellwants to demolish a bungalow in Pickering Street, Loose and replace it with two four-bedroom detached houses. Mr Chell, a member for Maidstone


South until May this year, wants to redevelop Chareda. Asupporting statement said: “This pre-WorldWar II bungalow is in


need of extensive refurbishment and upgrading. Alternatively there is an option to redevelop the site to provide new housing up to current energy and sustainability standards. It is the second option thatMrand Mrs Chell wish to pursue.” Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


nitely one to remember.” The event saw organisers work-


ingwith fellowvolunteergroup Cel- ebrate Maidstone and charity Restoring Hands, set up by the town’s Jubilee Church. The previous day more than 70 people took part in a charity bungee jumpatMotePark, raising cash for Love Maidstone and causes close to their hearts.


Mental health


base planned AN NHS trust is creating a base for children’s mental health services at Knightrider House in Knightrider Street, Maid- stone, bringing 65 jobs to town Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has applied to convert the listed building, which is currently offices. Spokesman Andrew Parting-


ton said: “Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust plans to establish a team base for chil- dren and young people’s mental health services in Maidstone. “The Trust was commis- sioned to provide these serv- icestofamiliesinKentand Medway from September last year, and is working hard to im- prove facilities across the area.” A supporting statement for


the planning application said: “Access to the property for staff and public users will be dra- matically improved.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Town 27


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