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Vote puts Mote scheme on hold


A CHANGE of mind by Maidstone Rugby Club means the development of new facilities at The Mote could be delayed by up to two years. Site owners, The Mote Cricket


Club, worked closely with the rugby club’s executive for two years on a £4m scheme that included a pavilion with six en-suite changing rooms and substantial social facilities, sports highways access, up to 200 parking places, internal road and sports im- provements for both clubs. The scheme involved selling the


upper rugby pitch for a residential development of 26 homes and the rugby club having a smaller pitch to the east of the development. Any rugby overflow would be accommo- dated inMote Park through an agree- ment with Maidstone Council. But after a rugby club information meeting, key members of the execu- tive were replaced and the proposal for rugby to relinquish the last two years of its lease on the upper pitch was defeated at a meeting of the club membership by 121 votes to two. There was disappointment in the


cricket club, which voted at its July special meeting for the development


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20 Maidstone Town February 2014


to go ahead. Cricket has already indi- cated to rugby that its lease on the upper ground will not be renewed in May 2016 and has startedwork to try to ensure the development can be completed in 2016/17. “We have no wish to evict rugby in 2016 and will offer them a commercial lease with two good-sized pitches at The Mote and use of much-improved facilities,” said cricket chairman Glen Aukett. “We have many responsibilities be-


yond rugby. These are to our own members and cricket, the increasing number of other sports on site and to the Maidstone community. “We are also guardians of the much cherished Mote site, with inadequate facilities which have already cost our town the Kent cricket festival. “We had hoped to achieve all this in


a close business partnership with rugby. The development decisions will now bemade just by cricket – but we plan to offer all sports member- ship of the Mote Sports Federation.” Jon Sargent, rugby club chairman,


said: “The proposal would be at the expense of three acres of playing fields, which rugby club members clearly feel are more important.”


LOCAL people have responded well to a Downs Mail appeal for food, clothes and donations to help the Maidstone Churches’ Winter Shelter campaign. MP Helen Grant helped launch the


appeal, along with Major Grayson Williams from the Salvation Army, with whom she is pictured. The eight-week project saw the homeless being cared for in different churches,manned by churchmembers and other volunteers. It meant rough sleepers were able


to benefit fromhospitality, a hot meal, and overnight shelter. With further support from council-


lors and partner agencies, such as Porchlight and the Salvation Army, the campaign has also been able to offer help in finding more sustainable hous-


ing and reconnecting homeless people with the appropriate support services. Helen Grant said: “I sincerely hope


that this initiative not only raises awareness of a serious issue, but helps efforts to find a sustainable solution.”


Sports boost for Valley Park


ANEW floodlit 3G sports pitch and six new hard-surfaced tennis courts have been given the go-ahead for Valley Park Community School. Planning permission was granted


to build the new facilities, as well as upgrading and extending the exist- ing pedestrian access from the main school site together with the refur- bishment of existing tennis courts and associated fencing. Maidstone Council says the devel-


opment is subject to a community use agreement. The Valley Invicta Academy Trust


has also submited a planning appli- cation to build a 12-court sports hall. The first phase, measuring 1,987sqm would be for a six-court hall with changing rooms, entrance, and admin areas. The second phase, measuring 3,393sqm, would consist of an additional six courts and more sports activity areas.


downsmail.co.uk Shelter scheme a success


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