East June 2014

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News

Call to refuse shopping plan

COUNCILLORS will be urged to refuse the controversial plan to re- develop Newnham Court shop- ping village when it comes up at planning committee this month. Land Securities – the company

which developed FremlinWalk 10 years ago – wants to revamp and relocate the Notcutts garden centre, while adding a Waitrose, Deben- hams and 17 retail units, to create a shopping village capable of turning over £94m a year. But opponents say such large-

scale development will cripple the town centre and be the death-knell to a plan to revamp The Mall (for- merly the Chequers Centre). Maidstone Council’s planning committee is due to debate the issue on June 12 and, as the Downs Mail went to press, it was under- stand officerswere recommending refusal of the scheme. The project, which Land Securi-

ties say would create more than 1,000 jobs, has the backing of local hotels and businesses aswell as the Kent Invicta Chamber of Com- merce. But Maidstone Town Centre Management is so enraged that it has produced its own newsletter and leaflets as part of its campaign “Say No to Newnham Court”. Town centre manager Bill Moss remembers the number of empty retail units that emerged in Maid- stone as shops moved into Fremlin Walk, and fears the town centre

will once more suffer a blight. Mr Moss said: “We are not against new development, but there are suitable sites in the town centre which should be considered first.” The TCMwould like to see Land Securities turn its attention to the site at Maidstone East railway sta- tion, a brownfield site which in- cludes the former Royal Mail sorting office, but the company says the alternative is not large enough. Land Securities owns 19 shop-

ping centres and 16 retail parks in the UK, includingWestwood Cross in Broadstairs and Lakeside retail park in Thurrock. Development director Chris

Ward said he did not think the town centre would suffer unduly as the site would appeal to shop- pers from out of the area who find the site, just off J7 of the M20, easier to access and park. He said: “It will bring additional spending into Maidstone that would otherwise go elsewhere.” The council had been due to de-

bate the issue in February, but it was put back to June to allow time for further officer reports. When the nearby Next store was

given consent last year, the ruling Conservatives voted against officer advice. However, with 11 new members on the council, following last month’s election, which way the vote will go is anyone’s guess.

It’s time for a newmayor

CLLR Sasha Luck has taken over asMayor of Tonbridge and Malling from Cllr Howard Rogers, after being handed the chain of office at the coun- cil’s annual meeting. The mother-of-two, from Harrietsham, was

born in 1943 and qualified as a hairdresser after leaving Gads Hill School, Higham. She ran a salon in Rochester for eight years before her interest in antique clocks led her to open The Old Clock Schop in High Street,West Malling First elected to the borough council in 2003,

she represents the ward of West Malling and Leybourne. Her chosen charities during her year of office

are The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institu- tion, which helps farmers and their families in time of need, and Emelia’s Little Heart, which helps to preserve the emo- tional wellbeing of children in hospital. The deputy mayor is Cllr Owen Baldock, who represents Castle ward.

U3A moves meeting to larger hall

MAIDSTONE U3A(University of the Third Age) is moving its monthly meetings to the Salvation Army Hall, in Union Street, from July 21. The move means more people will be able to enjoy the talk by Molly

Poulter on that day, entitled Memsahibs in India. Non-members arewel- come. For more information, including membership details, call 01622 734298 or visitwww.u3asites.org.uk/Maidstone. U3Ainterest groups that meet at the Maidstone Community Support Centre will continue to do so.

CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service

ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance

Dear Debbie,

I have been caring for my sister who has learning disabilities for the past 3 years. Much though I love her, things can get on top of me sometimes and then I need a break. I would really like to get away for a week with my husband and children but am worried about leaving my sister. I’m a bit anxious about residential care so I was wondering if “home care” could help? Kind Regards,

Alexandra P Dear Alexandra,

Round the clock –or even just frequent and regular - care work can be exhausting, so it is not at all surprising that you feel that you need a break every now and then.

Many home care agencies will offer a respite service that can be anything from 15 minute visits to check on well-being, right through to 24hr live in care. A well- resourced agency should be able to profile a short list of suitable Care Workers to match your sister’s interests and then introduce potential Care Workers to your sister to ensure she is involved in the creation of her care package and to make sure she is comfortable with the particular Care Worker selected.

A few “trial run visits” beforehand during which you are initially present can build confidence that things will work when the time for your break arrives – which means that you will be able to relax properly and get the full benefit.

Home care works really well for respite breaks – but it takes a little planning!

Kind Regards, Debbie Moulton, Care Manager, Bluebird Care

How Bluebird Care can help with you or your loved ones:

• Help with getting up or going to bed

• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care

• Washing or Ironing • Shopping

• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care

• Trips to see friends or relatives

MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530 maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone East June 2014

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If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk

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