New bid for eco-home on race circuit
ANOTHER attempt is being made to build an “eco-home” on a nationally-renowned motorcycling track near Collier Street. Owner Kevin Still no longer wants to run grasstrack racing on his circuit in Longend Lane, despite eight years ago investing in a new grandstand for a track that has played host to British, European andWorld Cham- pionships. In 2006, an event attracted 6,000 spectators. His application to convert the land into an eco-home was refused in April 2009. At the time, Maidstone Council said it was inap- propriate to allow new residential develop- ment in the open countryside. The decision notice added: “To permit the development would result in an unjustified, unsustain- able and visually intrusive form of devel- opment.” Mr Still’s new application follows the
Bullying course for
bus-push teenager A TEENAGER whose actions led to a boy falling from a school bus window has been ordered to attend a course to address his bullying tendencies. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pushed the boy, also 14, against the window, which fell out. The victim then followed, landing in Marden High Street. His attacker, who admitted common assault, was not charged with causing injuries to the boy as magistrates de- cided he could not have foreseen that the window would pop out. He was given a four-month referral order and told to pay £85 costs.
An artist’s impression of the new oast
the site could be responsible for up to 70 tonnes of atmospheric carbon emissions each year. The applicant, and site owner, is proposing to retire from the business and close the track, dismantling and recycling the site in the most sustainable way possi- ble. “A large proportion of the site will thus
same zero-carbon principle. His design statement says that current sporting events “create undoubted damage to the environ- ment, including the high carbon footprint of both competitors and spectators, some of whom have travelled long distances to take part”. “It is estimated that the present usage of
A FUND-raising target for Maidstone Mu- seum’s major extension will be missed, coun- cillors have been warned. Donations received for the East Wing proj-
return back to its natural state, with a small, highly sustainable dwelling, proposed in the corner of the site.” The oast-style home would be heated through a wood pellet stove and an air heat pump system linked to solar thermal pan- els. Other proposed features include rain- water harvesting, underfloor heating, mechanical heat recovery, low energy light fittings and grey water reed bed filtration. Maidstone Council will again decide on
the plan.
Museum fails to hit funding target The project secured £2m from the Heritage
ect have declined, and the council chiefs have been alerted that the 2010-11 target of £330,000 will not be achieved. Only £46,220 had come in during the first two quarters of the year. But Cllr Richard Ash, cabinet member for leisure and culture, refuses to be pessimistic. He said community funding officer David Terry, whose task is to raise money for such projects, has "thousands of fingers in pies". He added: "Suddenly we could get a sizeable chunk ofmoney. It could come right.We have to remain optimistic."
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Lottery Fund last year plus £400,000 from the borough council and £100,000 from Kent County Council. The redevelopment plans will create 30%
more display space in the EastWing and will help swell annual visitor numbers from 80,000 to an anticipated 120,000 by 2012. The work will also refurbish and rationalise the museum stores.
Chance to walk the estates MARDENWalking Group is hosting a circular health walk around the village’s estates on Saturday December 4. It begins at the village car park at 2pm and will be followed by mince pies.
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We are currently taking Christmas bookings
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