Residents say no to store plans
AGROUP of Loose residents are gearing up for a fight after de- velopers put in an application for a Sainsbury supermarket on the site of the old ambulance station.
Councillors unanimously re-
fused an application for hous- ing and a convenience store on the Loose Road site, after hear- ing how residents feared it would cause more traffic con- gestion. But now they are being asked
to look at a revised scheme, which proposes just one house less – but the convenience store remains. The North Loose Residents Association is opposing any re- tail development on the site and says the area is adequately served by the Boughton Parade shops and bank. Chairman Joan Simkins said:
“Why do we need a second ATM when we already have one? And why insist on build- ing a convenience store when we have one of those too?” Boughton Parade shops also include a newsagent, takeaway and a pharmacy, all of which expect to see an adverse effect on their trade – but their main issue is the extra traffic which will be generated on an already-
Stones’ pitch ‘one of the
best in world’ RIGOROUS testing has con- firmed that the Gallagher Sta- dium in James Whatman Way, Maidstone, has one of the best pitches in world football. The state-of-the-art artificial
turf pitch has maintained its FIFA two star rating – the high- est possible grade. The testers use natural grass in top condi- tion as the benchmark, and check durability, weather re- sistance and how the ball plays. Maidstone United co-owner Oliver Ash, said: “This is fan- tastic news and shows that with the right maintenance these high quality pitches can do 50-plus hours a week while maintaining impeccable stan- dards. “Our 3G business model is
now being copied by several clubs around the country and I hope our experience will gal- vanise others to follow our ex- ample and take a major step to securing their club’s financial position.” Maidstone United was the
first football club in Britain to develop a purpose built sta- dium using a 3G pitch. “The surface is used by the
club’s first team, their many community teams, as well as other local clubs, businesses, community groups and schools. Around 1,000 people per week play on the pitch.
duplicate. Why take away es- tablished business livelihoods? “Convenience stores encour-
Residents protest outside Boughton Parade shops
overstretched section of road. Carole Gandy said: “We know
from past experience that peo- ple using the ATM just park anywhere they like and ignore the road markings. Although there are parking spaces pro- posed for the convenience store, it will make no difference.” A recent traffic survey carried
out by the NLRA found more than 17,000 vehicles using the Loose Road in a 12-hour period. KCC admits the Wheatsheaf junction is at capacity. “What will another 3-400 houses and two schools on Boughton Lane do to the equa- tion – let alone a shop that no- body wants?” demanded Loose Road resident Alan Moore. Sean Carter, chair of NLRA’s
planning group, said: “This is all about localism – and a bill that clearly isn’t working here. We have a vibrant parade of shops and don’t need – and don’twant–aSainsbury con- venience store. Why won’t the council listen to us?” The latest application, from Oliver JamesHomes, is for eight houses and a Sainsbury’s Local store, providing 278sqm of re- tail space. Although the council’s plan-
ning committee refused the ear- lier application, residents fear they will be persuaded to accept the revised plan. But Carole Gandy said: “There are already shops that provide the facilities that the new convenience store would
age 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 prox- imity to major traffic lights for the Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junction. “It would appear planners are ensuring that this junction will be in permanent gridlock.” Mr Carter said: “Research has shown that convenience stores generate 40% more traffic after 6pm. Also, this will mean 16 hour opening seven days a week. Who will want to live next to that?” Kent Highway Services did
not object to the earlier applica- tion on highway grounds, agree- ing that people would walk to the Sainsbury store, rather than drive to Morrison’s in Sutton Road or Tesco at Tovil. But Mr Carter said traffic lev-
els in the Loose Road had in- creased by 71% in the past 10 years.
“Nobody in the council seems
to think about the long term in- frastructure – it’s all about short term fixes,” he said. “The time has come for someone to say ‘we have had enough.’”
Cyclist shifts up a gear in the heat for charity
A MAIDSTONE cyclist with failing eyesight has taken on the busy streets of Paris and soaring tem- peratures to bring home nearly £3,000 for charity. Mark Sheepwash (42), from Clif-
fordWay, whowas diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in his 20s, leapt at the chance to join 65 cy- clists on the 326-mile London to Paris challenge at the end of July. The KCC computer team leader,
who had to give up driving two years’ ago because of his progres- sive condition, says one of the hardest aspects of the tripwas not the traffic, but the heat. He said:
“Although my peripheral vision is now prettymuch non-existent and I have tunnel-like vision, it was amazing to see the Arc de Triom- phe loom ahead of us as tourists cheered from the top and drivers tooted their horns, but the heat was something else. It was like having a hairdryer in your face!” Mark (pictured), who has raised
over £2,800 for RP Fighting Blind- ness and Kent Association for the Blind,added: “Support from friends andfamily hasbeenoverwhelming. Itwas a fantastic experience!” Youcandonate£5toKABby tex- ting EYES13 £5 to 70070.
Getting old ‘is all in the mind’ OVER-65s in Kent are refusing to get old, researchers say.AYouGov poll found that just six per cent of those aged 65-85 think of them- selves as elderly, while 61% refuse to define themselves as “old”, saying the term is simply a “mindset”. Almost half (44%) said they were happier – and more tolerant –
now than at any other time in their life, although “old-fashioned” ideas still held their generation back. The poll, commissioned by Kent personal alarm provider Invicta
Telecare, found two out of three (66%) OAPs haven’t given their future care a second thought. Over-65s account for a sixth of the population in Kent. The num- ber of over-65s is set to rise from 10 to 19 million over 40 years.
Students given a chance to shine SCHOOLS and colleges in Maidstone are invited to contact their local rotary club to enter students into the Rotary Youth Compe- titionswith the winners going forward to the Rotary District, Re- gional and National finals. The Rotary organisation organises a group of youth competi-
tions for young people, including Young Musician, Young Chef, Youth Speaks, Young Photographer, Young Writer and Technol- ogy Tournaments. For details, email
steveelms@btinternet.com
Driving ban MAIDSTONE resident Colin Lloyd pleaded guilty to drink driving at Mid Kent Magis- trates’ Court following an inci- dent in Wallis Avenue, Park Wood. Lloyd (56), of Felderland
Road, ParkWood, drove a Ford Escort and when stopped gave a breath test of 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Magistrates disqualified him
from driving for 18 months and fined him £110. He must also pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Disqualification can be re-
duced by 139 days if, by 29 July 2014, he satisfactorily com- pletes a course approved by the Secretary of State, the cost of which will not exceed £250.
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