News
downsmail.co.uk Call to refuse shopping plan
COUNCILLORS will be urged to refuse the controversial plan to re- developNewnhamCourt shopping village when it comes before the borough’s planning committee this month. Land Securities – the company
which developed Fremlin Walk 10 years ago –wants to revamp and re- locate 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.
Pets on show
PETS can win prizes at St Mar- garet’s School summer fair in Col- lier Street on Saturday, June 21. As well as the pet show, the day
also offers a bouncy castle, stalls, a bar, barbecue and tea tent. While the majority of exhibits are generally dogs, there are classes for cats, rabbits, rodents – anything that fits into the pets category. The fair opens at noon, with reg- istration from 1pm and the pet show from 2pm to 4pm.
Maidstone Council’s planning committee is due to debate the issue on June 12 and, as the Downs Mail went to press, itwas understood of- ficerswere recommending refusal of the scheme. The £85m project, which Land Se- curities sayswould create 1,500 jobs, has the backing of local hotels and businesses aswell as the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. But MaidstoneTownCentre Man- agement is so enraged that it pro- duced its own newsletter and leaflets as part of its campaign, “Say No to Newnham Court”. Towncentre manager Bill Moss re- members the number of empty retail
units that emerged in Maidstone as shops moved into Fremlin Walk, and fears the town centre will once more suffer. MrMoss said:“We are not against
newdevelopment, but there are suit- able sites in the town centre which should be considered first.” The TCM would like to see Land Securities turn its attention to the site at Maidstone East railway station – a brownfield site which includes the former Royal Mail sorting office —but the company says the alterna- tive is not large enough. ALand Securities spokesman said:
“The transformation of Newnham Court will complement the recent in-
vestment in the KIMS medical facil- ity at junction 7 of the
M20.Together they will complete the vision for a major improvement in the area." If planning consent is given,work
will begin this autumn, with the aim of completion by Christmas 2016. Development director ChrisWard
said: “It will bring additional spend- ing into Maidstone that would oth- erwise go elsewhere.” Of people who visited the public consultation on the scheme, 73% were in favour, he said. The company was also prepared
to enforce a 'no poaching' clause to prevent retailers leaving the town centre for Newnham Court.
Awhale of a time!
JUNIOR thespians at Sutton Valence Preparatory School threw themselves into the action in Jonah and the Whale. Pupils in year two sang, danced and played instruments
in the musical performance. Rhys Harmer was a dynamic Captain while Kristian
Whitebridge enjoyed his role as God, commanding the stage at every appearance. Henry Ellis sang a beautiful solo in the role of Jonah. The script was written for the occasion by year two
teachers Alex Theobald and Lucy Field. Head of Pre-Prep Phillipa McCarmick said: “All children delivered their lines clearly and confidently.”
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Maidstone South June 2014 17
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