Supported flats
plan rejected A PLAN to introduce 18 sup- ported accommodation units and four office units to Ashford Road, Maidstone has been turned down. Applicant Simon Ross wanted
to replace an extension and pro- vide eight flats (six one-bed- room, and two two-bedroom) and offices at disused Lenworth House. TheGeorgian building at the junction of Wat Tyler Way was formerly a home for vulner- able people. The scheme also included the erection of a building to create 10 one-bed flats over four floors, with warden’s accommodation. A supporting statement said:
“The charity MCCH intends to operate the building as a step- ping stone to help integrate people with difficulties back into society.” However, Maidstone Council refused the plan, saying: “The proposed development, by way of its bulk, height, siting, over- all visual appearance, poor quality of design, over domi- nance of the original building and the cramped nature of the development within the site, would result in harm to the character and setting of the non-designated heritage asset.” The applicant, Simon Ross,
had argued that a contemporary design had been chosen to give the building a new lease of life.
Parish fury over police inaction
KENT Police has been taken to task over its “to- tally unacceptable” response to youth problems in Kingswood. The police were first informed about problems
with youngsters by Broomfield and Kingswood Parish Council after it received dozens of com- plaints from villagers. But according to the parish council: “Residents
were either told the ‘police are too busy’ or ‘you will have to wait until your PCSO returns from leave’. Not once has a police officer attended the village.” Unhappy with the response to its concerns, the council referred the matter to police commis- sioner Ann Barnes, but this only appears to have
caused further frustration. The parish council was told by the police com- missioner that she had referred councillors’ con- cerns “back to the police”, who subsequently responded, saying: “Your correspondence has been recorded under reference **** and has been passed to Insp Martin for her to action on return from annual leave next week”. Councillors say the police response to the issue
is “totally unacceptable” and will write again to Ann Barnes. A council spokesman said: “The initial inci-
dents reported are now over five weeks old, and anti-social behaviour should be dealt with at the very earliest opportunity.”
Scouts converge on Jamboree
MOREthan 6,500 Scouts and Guides from 30 countries met at theKent Event Centre, Detling, for the Kent International Jamboree 2013. Theweek-longevent
welcomed Scouts and Guides aged 10 to 18, representing 270 dif- ferent groups from across the globe. There were more
than 100 activities, from climbing to curl- ing, archery to micro- light-flying
and
wood-turning to wog- gleworkshops, aswell asaninternational café,aradio station,acinema,anexhibition of Scout- ing history and dance and performance facilities. Chief Scout Bear Grylls and comedian and former Scout David Wal-
A group of Scouts from MaidstoneWest enjoyed the International Jamboree
liams flewinby helicopteronthe finalday tojoin thethousandsofScouts and Guides who attended one of the largest gatherings of its kind.
Driver took car AN18-year-old from Maidstone caught driving a car in Bearsted without the owner’s consent has been banned from the road for nearly two years. Magistrates disqualified Dar-
ryl Emptage, from York Road, from driving for 20 months after hearing he took the Kia Picanto from the town without the owner’s permission on June 28 and drove along the A20 with- out the necessary licence or in- surance. The same day he also failed to give a specimen of breath for analysis. Emptage, who admitted the offences, was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and pay £60 to the victim and £85 costs.
FREE Hearing Screenings available NOW at the Maidstone Hearing Centre
What to expect from Maidstone Hearing Health Centre
• State-of-the-art facilities • Complimentary hearing health check. • Full range of hearing aid accessories available - including landline & mobile phones, batteries and much more…
For a FREE Hearing Screening come in and see us or call now on:
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Come and meet our Hearing Aid Audiologist Sheila Barrett. Sheila has been with Hidden Hearing for 10 years in July and has been based at Maidstone since the branch opened in February 2009.
“I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and being able to provide a service which can enrich and sometimes even transform people’s quality of life at home, at work and in social activities through easier, clearer hearing. There have been some ‘wow’ moments which I shall never forget.”
Sheila is also qualified as a speech therapist and as a teacher of English to speakers of other languages.
31 Pudding Lane,
Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PA
www.hiddenhearing.co.uk
14 East You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
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