Centre of sporting excellence planned By Dennis Fowle
PLANS to build a new pavilion at TheMote and improve other ground facilities to cre- ate a centre of sporting excellence are at last moving forward. The £4m project is the result of more than
two years’ planning by The Mote Cricket Club in consultation with Maidstone Rugby Club – strongly encouraged by Maidstone Council. The two clubs now work together on site management and financing through the new Mote Sports Federation. Kent County Cricket Club says it would
like to see a return of the popular cricket festival. It quit Maidstone in 2005 after a points deduction due to a wet wicket and because ground facilities were inadequate. The pavilion will have six full-size chang-
ing rooms each with showers. There will be a large sports bar opening on to Mote Lawn, toilets and a first-aid room. The top floor, reached by both stairs and a lift, will offer so- cial activities and lettings. The kitchen will
Green flag for parks
THREEof Maidstone’smostpopular parkshavebeen awarded prestigious Green Flags. Mote Park has won the award for the first time
whileWhatman Park and Clare Park have retained the awards for four and six years respectively. Maidstone council’s cabinet member for commu-
nity and leisure services, Cllr John Wilson, took a Green Flag toMotePark, where hemetandthanked some of the volunteerswho helped win the award. He said: “We are fortunate to have so many loyal
andhardworking staffandvolunteers. Iamdelighted that their efforts have again been rewarded.”
Cllr John Wilson, and Maidstone Council’s parks and leisure manager, Jason Taylor, with staff and volunteers at Mote Park who helped win the flag
be able to cater for up to 200 people. The pavilion forecourt will be enlarged
and about 200 parking places are planned. Other improvements proposed include
new cricket nets, a match-day stand and ter- racing for rugby and a small pavilion/groundsman’s store for the lower cricket pitch. Rugby is investigating creat- ing an artificial pitch on the middle level. The money will come from a residential development on four acres of the 24-acre site, subject to planning permission. The plan is for about 26 houses on part of upper field rugby and six (including a grounds- man’s house) offWillowWay. A planning application will be made this autumn and work could start after the next rugby season for completion in 12-15 months. There will still be five sports pitches (two cricket and three rugby). The smaller top rugby pitch will run north- south instead of east-west, with homes built to thewest. Landscaping is planned to pre-
serve the views from the main cricket square and the upper rugby pitch. The rugby club plans to move first team matches to the lower field and create a viewing area on the bank and in the new stand, but it could follow top UK clubs and play big games on the artificial surface. The development proposal was supported
in a vote by The Mote CC members at a lively special meeting in July. It has the backing of the executive of the rugby club. “After many years trying to develop suit-
able facilities, we see this new initiative as a significant step forward for the club,” said Maidstone rugby development chairman, Trevor Langley. Dennis Fowle, chairman of the cricket de- velopment committee, said: “This was an exciting proposal to put before members of the 157-year-old cricket club. The sports can both enjoy wonderful new facilities and use them to create an income, which will sustain both the clubs and the site.”
Pub conversions TOVIL parish councillor Derek Mortimer reported that building work at the Rose Inn site was likely to be completed by November. The Victory Inn develop-
ment is scheduled to finish in March 2014. Planning permission has
been granted for new homestoreplaceboth pubs.
"A less complicated & more supportive approach to letting your property"
We are an experienced Lettings Agency covering Canterbury, Maidstone, Kings Hill, West Malling and the surrounding areas.
Landlords : Fixed Price Fees Rent Collection : £50 PCM Full Management : £70 PCM
We will advise you on the package that suits your needs and if necessary, we will tailor it to meet your requirements.
Contact our letting team today 01622 804816
info@redlet.co.uk www.redlet.co.uk Milwood House, 36b Albion House, Maidstone, ME14 5DZ
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Town 23
• Free Market Appraisal • Accompanied Viewings • Robust Referencing • Viewing Feedback • Fixed Low Price • Regular Updates
• Personal Professional Service
• Tenants Waiting
NO VAT
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48