News


downsmail.co.uk Playgrounds in closure threat


RESIDENTS are being urged to write to Maidstone Council in protest at a plan to close 20 play areas throughout the borough. Play areas under threat are in


Woolley Road (Senacre),Westmor- land Close (Shepway), Reinden Grove (Downswood), Somerset Road (Shepway), Bedgebury Close (Vinters Park), Roseholme (Fant), Fountain Park (Armstrong Road, Maidstone), James Street (Maid- stone), Shaw Close (Maidstone)


Weddings off at Abbey


A PROPOSAL to turn part of Box- ley Abbey into a venue for wed- dings and functions has been withdrawn. James Best-Shaw wanted to host


two events perweek at the Grade I listed barn. English Heritage and Maidstone Council’s conservation officer said the proposal lacked de- tail, while Boxley Parish Council raised concerns about the effect on the country lanes around the abbey in Boarley Lane, Sandling Conservation organisation The Georgian Group had raised an ob- jection.


and Freshland Road (Maidstone). In Grove Green, four areas are pro- posed for closure: Peverel Drive, Crownfields, Shepherds Gate Drive and Franklin Drive, along with three in Allington: Juniper Close, Riverhead Close and Keswick Drive. The remainder are at Whitebeam


Drive (Coxheath), Fairhurst Drive (East Farleigh) and Cockpits (Mar- den).


Stuart Jeffery, campaigner for


Greens in Fant ward, said: “Rose- holme is full of young families that need places such as the play area for their kids. “Maidstone has a real problem


with the health of our children and restricting their access to play areas will make this problemworse.” Maidstone Council’s cabinet member for community and leisure services, Cllr John Wilson, said: “We are consulting on a new play areas strategy that will see an un-


precedented £1.75 million invested in play areas across the borough to make sure the majority of people live only a short walk from one of 85 good play areas. “To achieve this, 20 play areas


will be offered to the community to manage. “If they do not wish to, the play equipment will be removed and the area kept as open space for resi- dents to enjoy.We will ensure there is a good alternative close by.”


Rare newts make their home in woods


MORE than 100 of the country’s most protected amphibians have made their home in Horish Woods, near Detling. South EastWater’s ecologists car-


ried out environmental surveys be- fore installing a £330,000 water main in the ancient woodland and over a three-month period more than 3,500 newts were found along a short section of the pipeline route. These included 148 great crested newts, which are a protected species. Mandy Apps, environmental clerk at South EastWater, said: “With the


habitat split by the M20 and rail link, combined with motorway run- off which drains into the only pond on site, it’s been a surprise to find so many living here. “In fact, this area has been the


most prolific site we have ever had for newts.” The new 250m pipeline, pictured


left, will replace an old water main to improve the flow of water be- tween a borehole near Harple Lane and the water treatment works in Detling. Construction began in No- vember 2013 and is due to be com- plete later in the spring.


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