South June 2014

News Fun of the fair

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

Garden change

COUNCILLOR Annabelle Black- more was given planning permis- sion for a retrospective change of use from agricultural to garden land at her home in Poplar Tree, Milebush Lane, Marden. Maidstone Council’s planning committee also gave consent for Cllr Blackmore, who represents Marden, to build a single storey garage.

Garage scheme

PLANNING consent was granted to convert a garage into living ac- commodation at 3 Courtlands Close, Teston. Teston Parish Council had park-

ing concerns, but Maidstone Coun- cil’s planning committee agreed to accept the proposal.

Formore local news www.downsmail.co.uk

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 therewas a need for an agent to market large commercial prem- ises in this way, 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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