News


downsmail.co.uk Supermarket decision reversed


ALEGAL battle is brewing after a plan for a supermarket at Springfield Park was refused. Developer Augur Buchler Part-


The earlier meeting had asked of-


ners wants to build the Morrisons supermarket, plus a number of smaller retail units and a doctor’s surgery on the site, off Royal Engi- neers Road next to Ringlestone – on land earmarked by Maidstone Council officers for housing in the draft local plan. The first time the applicationwas discussed, Cllr Richard Ash broke ranks with the Conservatives and voted with the Lib Dem opposition group in favour of the application. However, at a later meeting,


where detailed conditions and legal agreements were due to be agreed, Cllr Ash could not attend and sub- stitute Cllr Derek Butler voted ac- cording to his party line. This allowed the “in principle”


vote in favour of the mixed use plan- ning application to be overturned. Nowthe developer is to seek a ju-


dicial review of the council’s con- duct – while submitting a revised planning application.


Land saved


from building AFTER lengthy negotiations, the land known as Little Switzerland in Tovil has been secured by the Val- ley Conservation Society. The land, which will become a


green open space, has been bought with donations from Maidstone Lions Club, neighbours, and Tovil Parish Council The land will link the conserva-


tion society’s two mill ponds with the new Hayle Park Nature Re- serve, safeguarding about 33 acres from development. The society’s longer-term vision


is to rebuild the historic mill on the site, which it already owns. More immediately, it plans to im-


prove opportunities for biodiver- sity, and encourage locals to get involved and to use the area.


Two years of fitness


TOVIL-based Heavenly Fitness staff and members are pictured celebrat- ing the second birthday of the stu- dio which now has 200 people a week attending classes. Owner Jane Salida says the anti-


gravity studio specialises in alterna- tive fitness, such as hot yoga, ashtanga yoga, HIIT (high intensity interval training), aerial hoop and pole fitness as well as more tradi- tional classes such as Pilates and ballet.


32 Maidstone Town June 2014


ficers to report back with contrac- tual heads of terms and detailed conditions, whichwould then allow it to be approved. Instead, officers presented letters


from Solum Regeneration, which has been marketing the site at Maid- stone East; Asda, which says it would like to open a store at Maid- stone East; the owner of the Peugeot garage at Len House and Capital & Regional, on behalf of the Mall Che- quers – all voicing strong objections to the Springfield proposal. Ringlestone resident Barry Curtis


spoke against the application, claim- ing another supermarket was un- necessary, but Mrs Butler from the Ringlestone Community Associa- tion said she spoke on behalf of many residents who would find a supermarket greatly preferable to 950 new houses on their doorstep, with the resulting extra traffic they would generate. Ward Cllr Tony Harwood said:


“The principle has been fully dis- cussed and democratically agreed – and there has been no material change since that meeting. If we go against the earlier vote, we are legally on shaky ground. “The housing is a draft allocation


in a draft local plan which has caused a huge amount of contro- versy – there is no guarantee it will happen.” The land at Springfield has lain


empty since KCC moved out of its offices in 2001. In 2007, planning permission was granted for 192 flats, retail units and community hall, but building never took place. A spokesman for Dentons solici-


tors, representing the developer, warned: “Our view is that the April resolution…was a decision in prin- ciple to grant planning permission, subject to the satisfactory planning obligations and planning conditions being agreed.” She said that she believed a rejec- tion of the April resolution – with-


out good planning reason – would leave the council open to a success- ful costs claim on appeal. The council believes retail use in Springfield would pose a threat to alternative town centre supermarket sites, such as the land at Maidstone East railway station. Planning committee chairman


Cllr Denis Collins said hewas confi- dent the council’s decision would stand up to scrutiny at an inquiry and said: “Our legal team has sought legal advice and I amhappy with the decision. Our priority has to be Maidstone East, which is a huge area of disused land in need of development. This scheme would put paid to that.” Cllr Ashwas unable to attend the meeting because of a prior engage- ment and Cllr Collins said he had refused to accept the council leader Chris Garland as a substitute, opt- ing instead for Cllr Butler who had been present at the first meeting and whowas au fait with the case.


KCCpresents award to golden girl Lizzy


OLYMPIC gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold has been presented with an award by the chairman of KCC. The Kent Invicta Award recognises


residents of Kent who have achieved excellence in their chosen field or who have provided an exceptional service to the county. As part of the award Lizzywas pre-


sented with a cheque for £5,000 to give to a charity of her choice. She has decided to share the money be- tween the mental health charity Mind, and Slideaway, a bereave- ment support service based in Kent. Lizzy is a Kent girl whowent to pri-


mary school in Otford beforemoving on to Maidstone Grammar School for Girls where she became head girl. She won the 2013-14 Skeleton World Cup before going on to take


the gold medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She received the Invicta Award from outgoing KCC chairman Eric


Gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold receives the Kent Invicta Award from KCC chairman Eric Hotson


Hotson who said: “I, like so many Kent residents, was glued to the tel- evision during the Winter Olympics to watch Lizzy’s progress.”


Caravan show A WIDE range of new and used motor homes, caravans and out- door leisure accessories will be on show at the Kent Showground, Detling, on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. The UK Summer Motorhome


and Caravan Show will feature trade stands aimed at experienced owners and first-time buyers. Day tickets are £7 on the gates or £5 in advance from www.motorhome- andcaravanshows.co.uk, and ac- companied under 14s go free. Gates open at 9am and parking is free. Campers will also be staying at


the event and enjoying evening en- tertainment.


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