LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Opposition to store plan Dear Sir – I amresponding to the letter from Cllr Mike Hogg in recent editions of the Downs Mail, in relation to the application for a local Sainsbury store on the Loose Am- bulance Station site. For good reasons, neither Cllr Derek Mor-


timer nor I could attend the planning com- mittee which considered the above applications, although we would both have opposed it strongly. Derek had alreadywrit- ten a letter of objection to officers, which was included in detail in the papers put be- fore the committee. I was on holiday when the agenda for that meeting was published, and on my return spent a week in hospital. Derek had actually registered to speak, but the day before was called away to deal with a family emergency. My main concern regarding this applica-


tion was the further effect on the heavily congested Loose Road, and the effect on the already congested traffic lights at the junc- tion of the Loose Road and Cripple Street. Unfortunately, KCC’s highway officers failed to support any objection on highway grounds, which would have made a rejec- tion on these grounds impossible. I believe Derek and I have a good long-


term record of fighting for our ward, espe- cially in relation to planning issues. The application for a building waste recycling plant on the SBS site in Tovil where we worked closely with residents, the Tovil Parish Council, North Loose Residents As- sociation and Valley Conservation, resulted in the application being rejected by a gov- ernment planning inspector on appeal. Likewise, working with the North Loose Residents Association, an application for housing on the Papermakers Arms site in the Loose Road was again turned down on appeal by an inspector. The difference with planning compared


to other committees is that it is supposed to be totally non-political, operates under a strict code of conduct, and can only con- sider applications in relation to a set of strict planning criteria. Finally, what Mr Hogg also fails to point


out is that while opposing the application on the committee, he totally failed to pro- pose one good reason in acceptable plan- ning terms as to why the application should be rejected. In fact, all the other Conserva- tive members of the group voted for ap- proval. Cllr Ian Chittenden, borough councillor for SouthWard, county councillor for Maidstone North East


Homes plan just greed Dear Sir – Iwrite to you about the Croudace outline planning application being consid- ered by both Maidstone Borough and Ton- bridge & Malling Councils for the building of 500 new homes, a primary school and community centre on greenfield land and ancient woodland east of Hermitage Lane. The density of this ambitious develop-


ment has slowly been increased to unsus- tainable proportions. In 2000 the site was designated for 380 dwellings. It was in- creased again in 2012 by an application to build 415 new homes. Today we see that once again the density


has increased by the application to build 500 new homes, using ancient woodland. There is no justification to increase the density of this project, simply to satisfy the greed of the developer. If Maidstone Coun- cil wishes to address the shortfall in their housing supply, they should look to the


46 Town


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many brownfield sites that are still avail- able.


Angela Poletti, Corben Close, Allington


Homes development flawed Dear Sir – Although their stance on plan- ning policy is, frankly, unclear, the pres- sures on Maidstone council to meet targets for new housing is very real. Also, the issue of affordability of homes


for younger people is only going to be solved by adding capacity. However, the additional capacity has to be introduced in ways which work for the wider community, and the current Croudace development plans are flawed. The ability of Hermitage Lane and the


wider west Maidstone area to absorb traffic from 500 new dwellings is hugely underes- timated. Also, the overall plot includes a pocket called Hospital Field which, as pro- posed, can only be accessed by driving a road through the much valued Bluebell Woods. Amuch better use of Hospital Field would be to exclude it from themain appli- cation; use it for hospital purposes (addi- tional car parking or low-cost accommodation for hospital workers); and have access only via the existing hospital road – which means that the Bluebell Woods need not be disturbed. The Croudace proposal can work, but it


needs fewer dwellings and a re-think on how the plot is used. Tom & Tina Drennan, Denning Close, Maidstone


Shopping village welcome I couldn’t agree more with every word of StephenWilliams’ letter in the Downs Mail in November, regarding plans for the new shopping village at J7 of theM20. Why would Iwant to sit in traffic, driving


round Maidstone town centre trying to find somewhere to park? When I do, I often find a traffic warden stalking me to the ticket machine. Parking is expensive, and the town is scruffy and dirty. I avoid Maidstone centre and go to Hempstead Valley, where parking is ample and free. Shopping there is a pleas- ant experience, unlike shopping in Maid- stone where I feel stressed and cannot wait to get out and get home. Gloria Johnson, by email


County town a disgrace Dear Sir – I think it’s about timeMaidstone was made to look like a county town, not the way it looks now. Stephen Williams’ letter in last month’s Downs Mail is right – the town is a disgrace. I’m ashamed whenmy relations visit Maid- stone. They come from Nottingham and Grimsby, and both places are much nicer than Maidstone. My friend from Canada visited a month


ago and she thought the Granada was an ab- solute disgrace to the town. P Jones, Vinters Park


Sporting excellence aim Dear Sir - It is a shame more inner city green space is to be given to housing at The Mote. Why does the cricket club not develop a


centre of excellence for sport instead of just thinking how cricket can benefit? There should be a development inclusive of all the clubs and people it may affect and also in- clude the people of Maidstone. They could also look to other sports. The


aim could be a wonderful legacy for future generations of sports people of our area. Phillip Crane, Boughton Monchelsea


Comment by Dennis Fowle, chairman of Mote CC development committee: The pub- lished aim of The Mote CC is to create a centre of sporting excellence by replacing the faded facilities to benefit all existing sports. Table tennis, keep-fit, running and petanque are among sports showing early desire to join in. Kent Cricket Club says it wants to return.


And the club also says the Maidstone com- munity will be encouraged to use the site and especially excellent social facilities planned for the new pavilion first floor.


Resignation was a shame Dear Sir–Iwas sorrytoreadyourreport that Cllr Fran Wilson, leader of the Liberal Democrats was planning to give up her group leadership and resign early as a coun- cillor. She iswell respected and has used her en-


ergies and arguments to improve the lot of local residents. Whilst as a Conservative, I don’t always agree with her views, they are always closely argued and honestly ex- pressed. Since the Lib Dems selected their prospective parliamentary candidate, Jasper Gerard, serious splits have opened within their party. Gerard’s divisive manner and interference have upset the more politically maturemembers, who are concerned to pro- mote the best interests of the borough. This seems set to continue. FranWilson has now been given a vote of confidence by members of her group and her experience would have been missed by her party and the council. Cllr BrianMoss, cabinet member for corporate services, Maidstone Council


Lib Dems boost recovery Dear Sir – Having knocked on thousands of doors in the constituency, I am well aware how the recession has shattered lives. That is why I am so heartened by signs that the local economy is mending. Unemployment is down to 2% in Maid-


stone, and fresh GDP figures show the coali- tion Government has made the right calls to put us back on track. There is plenty of work left to do. But make no mistake, this recoverywould


not be happening without the Lib Dems. The Conservatives would not have given us a fair recovery. More than 1,600 apprenticeships for our borough and a £700 cut for taxpayers would not have happened with the Tories alone at the tiller. The Lib Dems will continue to make sure nobody is left behind. People said we wouldn’t have the stomach for the fight, they said we couldn’t take big decisions; they were wrong. Because of that I am proud to say we are delivering a stronger economy and a fairer society.


Jasper Gerard, Liberal Democrat


parliamentary campaigner,Maidstone and theWeald


Homeless offered shelter Dear Editor – Your readers will understand how painful it is for me to read in the Octo- ber edition of Downs Mail about “the des- perate plight of people in Maidstone forced to sleep rough in freezing conditions”. This is not true – everyone has been of-


fered shelter in cold weather andMaidstone Christian Care has managed the process with Porchlight. This is only possible as a result of the gen- erosity of the people of Maidstone, their


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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