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Call for review aer supermarket refused


DEVELOPERS hoping to put a supermarket at Springfield Park, Maid-


stone, are gearing up for a legal battle, after the application was refused. Augur Buchler Partners want to build the Morrison’s supermarket, plus a number of smaller retail units and a doctor’s surgery on the site, off Royal Engineers Road next to Ringlestone, but council chiefs have earmarked the land for hous- ing in the draft local plan. They say retail use is outside the national planning policy frame- work and poses a threat to alterna- tive town centre sites, such as the land at Maidstone East railway sta- tion.


account some of the residents’ con- cerns.


Now the developer is to seek a ju- dicial review of the council’s con- duct – while submitting a revised planning application, taking into


The first time the application was discussed, senior Tory member Richard Ash broke ranks with the ruling Conservatives and voted with the Lib Dem opposition group in favour of the application. However, at the subsequent meeting, where detailed conditions and legal agreements were due to be agreed, Cllr Ash could not attent and substitute Cllr Derek Butler, voted according to his party line. This allowed the previous “in principle” vote in favour of the mixed-use planning application to be over-turned.


St James is great!


DELIGHTED pupils at St James the Great Acad- emy, East Malling, are celebrating after the school was graded “good” by Ofsted. Principal Sylvia Crockett, who has led the school through many changes during the last nine years, said: “The past nine years have been an exciting journey, both personally and for the school and I am delighted that all the hard work and perseverance by staff, pupils and governors has now been rewarded in this “good” judgement.”


32 School governor’s suspension shock


THE chairman of governors at an Aylesford school has spoken out about her shock at being sus- pended. Linda Sharpe, who had been on


the board of governors at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Primary School in Mount Pleasant for 10 years and its chairman for seven, has been sus- pended for 11 months. The decision in July last year fol-


lowed the dismissal of headteacher Simon Temple and the resignation of five teachers. The upheaval came after Ofsted found requested im-


provements had not been made. Mrs Sharpe (pictured), who lives


inAylesford, told Downs Mail that following her first suspension for six months, she was suspended again in January, but has still not been told why. The county


council confirmed her suspension this week. Kevin Shovelton, direc- tor of education planning and ac- cess at Kent County Council, said:


“The governing body of St Peter's school in Aylesford has twice agreed to suspend Linda Sharpe as a governor. Linda was at both meetings. “An investigation is currently un-


derway, the governing body will consider the evidence and make a decision about Linda's position in due course.” She said she was devastated by


the move, which has led her to re- luctantly file an official complaint with the Department of Ed- ucation.


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The Big Ye llow Building, St Peters St, Maidstone 01622 691 291 www.lincolnfur niture.co.uk Malling Mail Inside this edition:


Plans have been agreed to restore Clare Lake at East Malling and a big day out is in store at Picnic in the Park. For details see the four- page supplement by Malling Ac- tion Partnership, which supports people, businesses and events in the 11 parishes in the Malling area.


Ringlestone resident Barry Curtis spoke against 8


The earlier meeting had asked of- ficers to report back with contrac- tual heads of terms and detailed conditions, which would then allow it to be approved.


Instead, officers presented letters from Solum Regeneration, who have been marketing the site at Maidstone East; Asda, which says it would like to open a store at Maidstone East; the owners of the Peugeot garage at Len House and Capital & Regional, on behalf of the Mall Chequers – all voicing strong objections to the Springfield pro- posal.


May 2014 No. 205 News Health services risk


There is concern for the future of Maidstone Hospital after the Government says it could close “failing” hospitals.


3 Cat-astrophe


The RSPCA centre in Leybourne is struggling to cope with unwanted cats.


‘Too many homes’


Kings Hill residents air their views on latest plan after phase 3 is re- duced by a third to deliver 635 houses. 14


Comment Obituaries


30 24


Crime Reports 33


Police were appealing for information after a number of crates of wine were stolen from a parked lorry


Parish Councils 42-43


Awards were handed to outstanding villagers in Ditton; residents in Snodland will be offered shed alarms to combat thefts; allotment holders in Trottiscliffe were asked to be considerate about bonfires; children in Wateringbury were polite about the temporary closure of the playing field.


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