A LOCAL MP has urged the Government to get tough over charity bag scams, claiming that half of all doorstep collections are il- licit. Tracey Crouch, who represents Chatham


MP demands tough action over charity bag scammers Speaking in the Commons, she said she


so organisers were able to alert the police and trading standards to the activity. It is thought the culprits were selling the do- nated clothes for profit in eastern Europe. Miss Crouch said: “Sadly, this has grown


and Aylesford, said the current level of de- terrents was “laughable” and that the au- thorities took “a half-hearted approach” to bringing the criminals to justice. She initiated a debate in the House of Commons after fake Breakthrough Breast Cancer leaflets and collection bags were posted through doors in her consitituency. The charity does not collect door to door,


A 405-NAME petition has been handed to Maidstone Council in protest at the proposed de- velopment of 350 homes in greenfield land on the edge of Fant. Last year, Maidstone Council employed planning consultants to produce the Strategic Hous- ing Land Availability Assess- ment (SHLAA), establishing potential plots for new housing till 2026. Although the document, which earmarked available land for 16,391 homes, caused alarm in some quarters, the council’s policy and environ- ment manager Michael Thorn- tonstressedthatmuchofthe proposed developmentwas un- likely and that the study was merely to fit in to Government policy at that time. But residents in Fant are not prepared to take chances, peti- tioning against two possible de- velopments earmarked in the study. A development of up to 300


Earls’ plan for roof terrace is


turned down TOWN centre pub Earls has been told it cannot establish a flat roof for use as a terrace. Ap- plicant Sinjay Ravel, from S R Leisure Ltd, wanted to convert the existing triangular-shaped slated pitched roof into a drink- ing area. A supporting statement said:


“It is hoped extending the ex- isting roof terrace will encour- age customers to use the area, rather than spill out onto the public pathway, which has been a concern of my client and local businesses.” However, Maidstone Coun-


cil’s planning department re- jected the plan. The decision notice said: “The proposed re- placement of the existing roof and parapet wall, for which no valid justification has been demonstrated, would result in a loss of character and the form of the existing building.” This, it said, would be detri- mental to the architectural in- terest and visual appearance of the Grade II listed building and to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”


from a small time deception to a nationwide organised scam.” She said the problems are becomingmore


acute as legislation is outdated and that the public was confused about whether a char- ity making doorstep collections really was genuine. Unless the issue was taken seriously, scam collectors would continue to defraud


genuine donations without fear of reper- cussion.


had become aware of problems in her own constituency with bogus collectors becom- ing more active. The MP called for a better licensing sys-


tem and suggested that charities should es- tablish a register of door-to-door collectors to give donors trustworthy information. Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said


the issue would be considered in a review of the Charities Act, but it was difficult to see a quick fix.


Protest at Fant greenfield housing plans


nied by a letter fromMEP Keith Taylor, who joined fellow Green Party members in Maid- stone to voice concerns at the SHLAA findings. He said: “I share the concerns


MEP Keith Taylor with local Greens next to the Gatland Lane land identified for 300 homes.


homes has been suggested for open fields – designated as an Area of Local Landscape Impor- tance (ALLI) – on the junction of Gatland Lane and Farleigh Lane. The report says that the landowner has confirmed avail- ability, adding: “There is a re- quirement for further greenfield development…there is a rea- sonable prospect that housing will be delivered on this site. It


A TRANSPORT voucher scheme for people with severe mobility problems is to be ex- tended byMaidstone Council. Up to 500 individuals, mainly elderly women, have been using the vouchers to pay for taxis as their disabilities would otherwise prevent them from boarding buses. Expenditure over the three


years 2008-11 is expected to be just over £100,000. Each eligible person gets vouchers to the value to £70 a year. Age Concern, which manages the scheme on the council's be-


is also considered that the site is economically viable.” It esti- mates that development could beginin2011/12 andbecom- pleted by 2015. A further 50 homes was sug- gested for Fant Farm, on 1.45 hectares of orchard land off Hackney Road. Again, the re- port claims that the landowner is obliging and that develop- ment could begin in 2012. The petition was accompa-


Mobility boost to be extended


half, carried out a survey which showed that the vouchers were used mostly for attending ap- pointments at doctors, dentists and hospitals, closely followed by shopping trips and visiting friends and family. A transport officer's report


said: "The scheme has clearly been of significant benefit to those physically unable to use buses. It gives them independ- ent freedom." Cabinet member Cllr Ben Sherreard agreed the scheme should be extended for a further two years, until April 2013.


of many locals who are rightly concerned about some of the areas that had been identified for large development such as Fant Farm. Before greenfield areas such as this are devel- oped, the council should look to brownfield sites first. Virgin sites like Fant Farm would need major investment to pro- vide the infrastructure a new housing estate would need. “People in Maidstone under-


stand the need for sensible housing and that more housing is needed. With social housing waiting lists at an all-time high in Maidstone, with four times more people on the list than 13 years ago, housing plans across Maidstone need to be very care- fully thought through.” Stuart Jeffery of Maidstone


Green Party said: “Local people have voiced real concerns about the long-term housing plan produced by the council. Our petition asks the council to rethink its plans and now, with the demise of the South East Plan, there is no better time for them to do this.” In the wake of the Govern-


ment’s decision to revoke the South East Plan, Maidstone Council says its housing op- tions remain open.


Garage demolition A PLAN has been submitted to replace an existing garage with a block of three two-bedroom flats in Rawdon Road, Maid- stone.


Motorbike goes up in flames in arson attack


A MOTORBIKE was set alight in an arson attack in Brenchley Road, Maidstone. Firefighters were quickly on the scene to put out the fire, which also damaged a number of wheelie bins and a tree. The picture was sent in by a reader, who said: “I


am interested in reporting the state of the neighbour- hood, which has seen instances of vandalism and street thuggery increase and become increasingly vis- ible in recent months.” Kent Police’s acting chief inspector Adam Jones claimed that there had been “no measurable rise in crime in Tovil in the past year”, but added that a re- structure of the Maidstone Neighbourhood Team would see the deployment of an additional constable in the Coombe Farm area.


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