downsmail.co.uk Locals lose Co-op fight
CAMPAIGNERS have lost the fight to prevent Co-op from com- ing to Lenham.
The company has been given planning permission by Maidstone Council to open a convenience store on the site of the former Lenham Ironmongers in Faver- sham.
Despite objections and opposi- tion from a 550-name petition, 68 residents and the parish council, the borough’s planning committee said it was powerless in policy terms to block the proposal. The National Planning Policy Framework states that a retail im- pact assessment would only be nec- essary if the proposal is for more than 2,500sqm of retail floorspace. The Co-op store measures 381sqm. Lenham proudly boasts a butcher, baker, grocer, florist, li- brary, convenience store and two pubs in its thriving village square. Gez Clark, the town crier of Lenham, told the committee: “If this application is granted Lenham could lose six or more shops, equat- ing to 25-30 jobs. “A general store of this type
would never give the quality of service we have come to take for granted from the current shops, and if this store is given the go-
“I can’t imagine Lenham residents do the bulk of their shop- ping in the village and I would have thought they would welcome a conven- ience store so they don’t have to get into their cars.”
Artist impression of new Co-op in Faversham Road
ahead and opens, and the inde- pendent shops close, the effect on Lenham would not be reversible; the village of Lenham would be forever lost through a lack of in- sight of a few borough councillors. “Lenham is one of, if not the last remaining thriving independent village in Kent, maybe in the south- east of England. If you grant per- mission you will be held responsible for the death of an his- toric community way of life.” Cllr Richard Ash, a member of the planning committee, said: “We had the argument that Headcorn would become a ghost town when it got a Sainsbury’s, but it is the gem of the Weald; I like it more than Sta- plehurst and Marden.
Cllr Stephen Payne, a member of the com- mittee, said: “This is a large multinational chain coming to a
beautiful village with independent stores but we, as a planning com- mittee, don’t have the power to stop it because it was already retail. “I hope it has the Headcorn ef- fect, where Sainsbury’s has actually helped local traders. Lenham is not going to lose its charm.” The proposal includes four two- bed flats above the store. There will be 11 parking spaces for shoppers and four for residents. An on-street parking bay will be removed to allow lorries to load and unload goods outside on Faversham Road. The bay would be moved along the road further away from the square. The proposal was accepted cour- tesy of seven votes for and five ab- stentions.
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News
Sculpture trail opens at park
A NEW sculpture trail has been unveiled at Cobtree Manor Park. Sculptor Jason Mulligan gave visitors to the park a guided tour of his three sculptures, explaining the concept behind them. His work on 'Life of a Leaf',
'Zebra Rock' and 'Seed Stack' is documented at http://thecobtrees-
culpture.blogspot.co.uk/ Maidstone Council has been working on a three-phase restora- tion and renovation of the park, in- cluding new paths and walkways as well as children’s play equip- ment. Work has also started on a visitor centre. The Carriage Museum in Mill Street has also recently opened for the summer season, with some 60 carriages on show.
Opening times are 12pm to 4pm
Wednesday to Sunday until Sun- day September 14.
Robber dies in jail
DEVON Dobson (47), formerly of John Street, Maidstone, died of can- cer while three months into a 20- month sentence for a robbery he carried out at a service station in Wateringbury. Previously his friend, Peter Tomlin, was discov- ered dead in his Maidstone flat.
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Maidstone East May 2014 29
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