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News Schools could


join forces Continued from page one


consultation on the proposals and two public meetings have already taken place for parents, prospective parents and other interested par- ties.


The views received will go before


Kent’s education committee and, if the proposal is agreed, there will be a further period of public consulta- tion beforeKCCdecides whether to proceed. If so, the matter will be referred


to the schools’ adjudicator for a de- cision. Mrs Guthrie is already acting


head of Madginford Park Junior School, following the resignation of the previous head, David Day. The governors of both schools are understood to be in agreement with a merger. OFSTED inspectors found Madg-


inford Park Junior School – once an outstanding school – inadequate in all areas. The damning report claimed


pupilswere making poor progress, particularly in writing and maths, and that leadership and manage- ment were lacking. Children’s be- haviour and safety required improvement. The governing bodywas taken to


task for not holding the school to account. However, the report said chil-


dren were friendly and welcoming and attendancewas above average. KCC identified the school as a


cause for concern last year and has since increased its level of support. However, this has proved insuffi- cient and more sustained support is required to get the school back on track, said the report.


Nursery idea


A DAY nursery at 83 St Luke’s Road, Maidstone,wants to expand. Busy Bees, which operates from


the ground floor under the name Toad Hall, has applied for day care space in a storage area on the first floor to accommodate 21 extra chil- dren, to make a maximum of 51. A new pick-up and drop-off


point would be provided through the demolition of a single storey ex- tension. Maidstone Council will determine the application.


Solar farm CCTV


AREQUEST has been made to put up a CCTV camera to serve the new solar park in Lenham. Permission has already been granted for 14.58-hectare solar farm covering six agricultural fields at East Lenham Farm. Applicant KS SPV7wants to pro-


tect the 29 solar towers by remotely monitored cameras. Maidstone Council will decide the application.


8 Maidstone East February 2014


downsmail.co.uk


Call for safety promise before road re-opens


VILLAGERS are asking KCC for proof that the road running through Leeds is sound before it is re-opened to traffic.


The parish council wants the high-


ways authority to provide an assur- ance that the entire length of the B2163 is “geologically and technically surveyed” to prevent a recurrence of the road collapse that has kept it shut since November. KCC Cllr Gary Cooke predicts the


road will now not re-open until May, and only when KCC is 100% con- vinced of its safety. The massive void that appeared be-


neathUpper Street, just below the for- mer Ten Bells pub, has swallowed tonnes of concrete and 120 tonnes of road stone. Specialist drilling rigs are working to inject more concrete to sta-


bilise the road, pavement and sur- rounding properties. Temporary sewage, gas, electricity and water pipes will need to be re-laid before the road can be re-surfaced. But the parish council fears the


road, which suffered a similar col- lapse eight years ago, is no longer fit for purpose. It wrote in a letter to KCC: “We require the KCC not to open the road until such written as- surances are given to residents.” It alsowants theweight limit on the


road reduced from 17 to 7.5 tonnes and signs at both ends of the village – an issue being pursued byCllrCooke. He said: “We need these restrictions


to be enforced and the parish council is looking to have its own dedicated special constable to do this, which I think is a great idea. “Once the road is open, we will continue to work together to bring traffic speeds down, particularly dur- ing school times.” A spokesman for KCC said there


was no evidence that lorries were re- sponsible for causing the problem, and a commitment had been given to survey the road before it opens. He said itwas impossible to predict


how large the bill for the repairs would be and the extent of any liabil- ity implications.


Group raises money to help day centre


FUNDS raised by Bearsted’s active retired residents will help elderly peo- ple who use a village day centre. The Dorothy Goodman centre in


Egremont Road, Madginford, offers day care, entertainment, gardening and other therapies to people suf- fering from Alzheimer’s and demen- tia.


The Bearsted Active Retirement Association (BeARA), which meets monthly at the Grove Green centre, raised more than £1,200 in 2013 from activities and raffles and pre- sented a cheque to centremanager Louise Macpherson. There are around 180 members of


BARA, which arranges trips out and talks fromguest speakers. For further information contact David Finch on 01622 738965. Services at the Dorothy Goodman


From left, BeARA chairman David Finch presents a cheque to Louisa Macpherson, with raffle organisers MarianWorsdell and Mary Bowen


centre, which is part of Age UK, are available to all residents in Maid- stone borough aged over 65. For fur- ther information contact Age UK Maidstone on 01622 753618.


Farm in finals of food contest Homes refused


A LIVESTOCK farm in Stockbury is through to the south east finals in a competition to find the country’s food champions. MB Farms, at Parsonage Farm,


has been nominated by customers for its quality home-reared meat in the coveted Countryside Alliance awards competition – nicknamed the Rural Oscars. South East regional director and


judge, Michelle Nudds, said: “MB Farms is a great example of what we are celebrating. “This is a family business that promotes local, seasonal produce with traceable, high-quality meat.”


A PROPOSAL to erect two de- tached six-bed houses on grazing land in Ashford Road, near Hollingbourne has been refused. Maidstone Council’s decision no-


Nick Brown ofMB Farms Michelle will be visiting the fi-


nalists in the comingweeks. The south east winner will go through to the British final at the Houses of Parliament on April 30.


Holiday lets plan back on the agenda


ANOTHER attempt has been made to build two new holiday lets at the Who’d a Thought It pub in Headcorn Road, Grafty Green. In January 2013, Maidstone Council refused an original proposal saying


itwas too large in scale. Applicant Joan Mallett has resubmitted a smaller proposal that will be determined by the council.


tice said Mr D Buckley’s scheme was poorly designed, may have had a poor impact on biodiversity, would have led to a reliance on car use and was likely to provide a noisy living environment – close to the A20 and M20 – for the future occupiers.


Takeaway plan


ANEW hot food takeaway may be established at 4 Cumberland Av- enue, Shepway. The building is currently being


used by Step One, a hairdressing salon, but is due to close soon due to retirement. The new business’ operating hours, subject to plan- ning consent, would be 10am to 11pm Mondays to Saturdays, 11am to 10pm Sundays.


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