Plans bring fears for town centre Continued from page one


consequential effect on tenant demands. “The commercial objectives of one re-


tailer should not override the interests of the entire town centre, especially if the con- sequences are potentially significantly greater than the quantifiable impact of that one store alone.” The council has successfully negotiated


to raise Next’s Section 106 mitigation con- tributions to £140,000. This was the second increase after an initial £50,000 agreement was boosted to £100,000. The Town Team will receive £40,000 of this money over two years for projects to improve the viability of the town centre. The remainder will go to public realm improvements. “The extent of the Section 106 agreed


with the applicant will not in any way counteract the lack of confidence in the fu- ture of Maidstone,” addedMr Holland. “Although public realm improvements


are always welcome, the true vibrancy and attraction to retailers of the town centre comes from sustainable thriving activity.” The £140,000 agreement falls some way


short of the £1.34m secured by Wycombe District Council from Next for an almost identical out-of-town superstore. This higher payment, which will go to-


wards extending a park and ride system and a new bus service to the town centre, was se- cured becauseWycombe District Council has a community infrastructure levy policy in its local plan.Maidstone Council does not. Next said it was willing to enter into an


A walk on the wild side at Kings Hill


WILD flower “meadows”, inspired by planting at Lon- don’s OlympicPark,havebeenbrighteningupthe land- scape at Kings Hill and attracting lots of comments. Known as “pictorial meadows” and increasingly fashionable, the flowersweregrownfrom special seed mixes containing bothnativeandornamental species, including fairy toad flax, field and Californian poppies, corn marigolds, black-eyed Susan, cornflowers and cosmos. The flowers, whichare richinnectar to attractbees,


butterflies and other wildlife, were planted alongside high footfall paths and roads. Kings Hill resident JohnKeys said: “It isapleasure to


passby and see bees andbutterflies hoveringand set- tling on the plants.” The meadows were commissioned by Kings Hill de- veloper Liberty Property Trust UK and planted by its


landscapecontractors, Tonbridge-based Coblands. The idea has been so popular that even more wild flowers are planned for next year.


obligation with planners to keep open its Fremlin Walk store, or an alternative store within the town centre, for aminimum five- year period. While this was welcomed, it was considered unenforceable. Speaking as a substitute planning com- mittee member, council leader Cllr Chris Garland said: “The Town Team is very ef- fective and to give them financial assistance to carry out work will boost the town cen- tre.


“We have shown how beneficial public


realm improvements can be to the town centre.” The committee accepted the Section 106 agreement thanks to seven votes in favour compared to four against and two absten- tions.


Pet shop plan PLANS to refurbish a former thatched farm shop building next to Pinions pet supplies store at London Road, Ditton, have been given the go-ahead. John Wright, who owns Pin-


ions, sought permission from Tonbridge andMalling Council for minor demolition and re- building to the back of the dis- tinctive timber building last used as a shop in the 1990s. Approval was granted, sub-


ject to it being used as an out- building to the main house at number 429 and not as a sepa- rate dwelling or for commercial purposes.


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