News Work starts on


new bridge WORK has begun in preparation for a new bridge across the River Medway near Snodland to link the A228 to a new development of 1,000 homes on the opposite bank. Trenport Ltd gained planning ap-


proval in 2006 for Peters Village on the site of a disused cement works and quarry near Wouldham, but construction was delayed by the economic downturn. It is now due for completion around 2022 The bridge, which will join the


A228 at an existing roundabout be- tween Snodland and Halling, must be completed before more than 150 homes are built.Work on the road and rail crossing will begin in Au- gust and is expected to take a year, while construction of the first homes will start in 2015 after im- provements to surrounding roads.


Fun of the fair MAIDSTONE Mencap members are holding a grand summer fair at Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, School Lane (offWillington Street), on Sat- urday, June 14, starting at 1pm. There will be arena events, side shows, a real ale tent and barbecue, children’s games and big prize raf- fles. Contact Margaret Leeds on 07903 196333.


downsmail.co.uk


Call for restrictions on ‘untidy’ For Sale signs


ESTATE agents in Maidstone could be asked to get planning permission before erecting For Sale and To Let signs in gardens. LibDemplanning spokesman Cllr


Tony Harwood wants the borough council to adopt a policy similar to that implemented by councils such as Hastings and Newcastle to reduce street clutter. Cllr Harwood would like to see


policy DM7, which governs shop front signage, extended as part of the emerging local plan, to incorporate estate agent signs, many of which are left standing long after proper- ties exchange hands. Cllr Harwood said: “The prepon- derance of For Sale and To Let signs provide an opportunity for free mar- keting at the expense of the aesthet- ics of the local street scene, and often remain in situ for periodswell in ex- cess of the 14 day limit enshrined within the relevant code of practice.” The approach is supported by the National Planning Policy Frame- work and Cllr Harwood said the town centre is particularly affected, with its large numbers of flats and bedsits. He said that large numbers


Cllr Tony Harwood with signs at Buckland Hill


of signs not only detract from the quality of the street scene, but give an “often unwarranted air of tran- sience and even decline”. He said the problem was equally


bad in villages and conservation areas, which could be blighted by untidy and multiple signs. He said: “By ensuring that plan-


ning permission is required and that a high bar is set to better regulate and reduce this untidy form of free advertising, the quality of Maidstone borough’s residential and commer- cial districts could be enhanced sig- nificantly.” MurrayWills, managing director


of Page &Wells, admitted some es- tate agents flouted the rules, but


said: “There are laws which govern estate agents’ boards and it is down to the local council to enforce them. If the council has a problem, it has the tools to do something about it.” Cllr Harwood said he believed


most housebuyers found properties directly through estate agents or on the internet, but Mr Wills argued that the boards generated enquiries. He said:“We get phone calls within hours of a board going up.” CllrHarwood said: “This is an un- regulated, messy form of marketing which we would be better off with- out. If there was a need to for an agent to market large commercial premises in thisway, the permission would give agents clear guidance on what kind of signage, its position and its duration. At present, there is no regulation.”


Do you think Maidstone has too much street clutter? Where are the town’s worst


eyesores? Email the editor on stephen@downsmail.co.uk


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6 Maidstone Town June 2014


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