News
downsmail.co.uk J8 plan ‘will protect woodland’ ADEVELOPER has pledged to protect a section of the M20 corridor from industrial sprawl.
A spokesman for Roxhill Devel- opments, which has submitted a planning application to create an in- dustrial/business park at Woodcut Farm, near junction 8, says it will sign a legal agreement protecting Bearsted from any “domino devel- opment effect” from its application. He said Roxhill had listened to
local fears at two public consulta- tions and would amend its plan to reflect concerns on land north of the A20.
The amended plan will include a proposed legal agreement to ensure the field to the north of Woodcut Farm across Crismill Lane can only be used for agriculture or horticul- ture, he said.
Dance studio
plans to move LENHAM Dance Studio is plan- ning to move to Sutton Valence. The studio, which was told by landlord Ramac that itwould have to leave its base in Faversham Road as part of the proposal for a Co-op store in Lenham, has applied to move into a former bathroom retail unit in the Warmlake Business Es- tate, Maidstone Road. The premises will operate as
Warmlake Dance Academy, with four directors, two being Anthony and Karen Day, former UK Latin and ballroom dance champions who run the Lenham Dance Studio. The other two are Lorraine and
John Mason, who live inWarmlake House, south of the site. Lorraine makes dancewear under the label LMD Designs and plans to sell it from these premises. The school would open from 9am-10pm weekdays, with exams and medal tests occasionally at weekends. The shop would open from 9am-5pm weekdays, and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Maidstone Council will decide the proposal.
Year 7 pupils from Cornwallis Academy with their careers fair bags
Pupils focus on career skills
PUPILS at Cornwallis Academy took part in a careers-themed focus day. A series of workshops and activities were arranged, and more
than 30 organisations attended the academy’s first careers fair, where pupils could meet employers, work-related organisations, colleges and universities. Former Cornwallis students returned to the school to share their
career stories. They included head falconer at Leeds Castle Mark Brattle, and paramedics Stuart Abbott and Phillip Parrish.
Magistrates ban drink-driver
ROBERT Sedge (27), of Melrose Close, Maidstone,was disqualified from driving for 18 months by Mid Kent Magistrates and fined £400. He admitted drink driving after
an incident in Lower Road, Teston. When stopped, he gave a breath
Neighbours lend a hand
GOOD neighbours from a voluntary group in Loose have been helping a pensionermopup her flooded base- ment. Volunteers from the Loose Neighbours Group have been hard at work in the below-stairs kitchen in Church Street. Chris Lack, from the group, which
was set up by neighbours to help the elderly and unwell in the area, said: “This is one request for help that we weren’t expecting. “The water is coming up through
the floor and we’re cleaning it up on a rota.”
24 Maidstone South April 2014 The group has also been helping
others with supermarket trips, picking up prescriptions and lifts to the doctors. Volunteers are DBS (previously
CRB) checked and have the support of the parish council, community warden and other voluntary organisations. The scheme’s running costs are
being met with grants from the Loose Amenities Association and KCC, through the area’s county councillor. Loose residents needing occasional or emergency help should call 07909812139.
test of 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Sedge must also pay £85 costs
and a £40 victim surcharge. The ban could be reduced by 135 days if he attends a government-ap- proved driving course.
Roxhill also proposes that a five- hectare piece of wood, next to Crismill Lane, is passed into the control of a separate independent trust. The spokesman added: “We ap- preciate the concerns raised by lo-
cals and see these two specific changes to our plans as providing the belt and braces being sought to protect this area.” The amended outline plan – spanning 28 hectares of land that formed part of the 112-hectare KIG
Residents’ views ‘are being disregarded’
DOWNSWOOD’S residents and representatives complain that their views on the proposal are being “totally disregarded” by Roxhill. Parish council chair Roz Cheesman says neither the clerk nor councillors
received notification of a public exhibition held by Roxhill at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. She said she only got to hear about it through an email from Hollingbourne Parish Council. “The ward member for Otham and Downswood, Cllr Gordon Newton, has also confirmed he did not receive any information either,” she added.
proposal that was turned down in August 2010 – also includes the ad- dition of a filter lane on the A20 for traffic turning left into Willington Street. The spokesman said: “It is ac- cepted that the more traffic that goes through on a green phase at traffic lights reduces hold-ups for drivers. This is a pinch point and the feeder road will help.” About 75% of the built-up area
would be for industrial, storage and distribution purposes. The rest would be offices and research and development units. The site would be accessed by a dedicated right turn on the A20 between Musket Lane and theWoodcut Farm track.
Bluebell walk
JOIN the Heart of Kent Hospice for its 27th Bluebell Walk – a six-mile circular route through the heart of Kent’s beautiful countryside when the bluebells should be at their best. The walk on May 4 starts at Har- rietsham village hall and entry costs £10 per adult, £3 per child or £25 for a family of two adults and three children.Aploughman’s lunch is in- cluded. There will also be cake, craft and fruit stalls. Parking is free. Walkers can register at
www.hokh.org, by emailing
fundraising@hokh.co.uk or calling 01622 790195. Registrations will be accepted on the day, and walkers can sign in from 9am.
Mystery day
THE History and Mystery Day at All Saints’ Church, Ulcombe, will take place on Saturday, April 26. There will be two performances
of the mystery play (11.30am- 12.30pm and 3pm-4pm), concert (12.30pm-1pm and 4pm-4.30pm) as well as talks on church music (11am-11.30am and 2.30pm-3pm). There will also be bell-ringing sessions and refreshments. The church needs £80,000 for repairs.
Solar panels bid
APROPOSAL has been lodged for solar panels on land at Wanshurst Green Farm, Battle Lane, Marden. The installation would generate
250kw of power for the farm with any surplus going to the national grid. Maidstone Council will deter- mine the planning application.
Village car park A volunteer mops up in the kitchen
IN last month’s Downs Mail,we re- ported that East Farleigh Parish Council had borrowed more than £32,000 to surface the village hall car park. This should have read: “the village car park”.
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