News


downsmail.co.uk Green light for Powerhub


THE stage is set for Powerhub, an important Maidstone landmark, to be turned into a supermarket and housing.


A planning inspector has given


the go-ahead for the Powerhub, a Grade II listed building in St Peter Street, to become a retail store – despite vociferous local opposition. West Farleigh based Baltic Wharf (Maidstone) Ltd had been refused permission to convert the former business estate into a mix of busi- ness, retail and leisure, including a big-name foodstore at ground level, with offices for professional and financial services above, a restaurant and parking for almost 400 vehicles. Maidstone Council’s planning committee said the scheme was contrary to its policy on town cen- tre improvements. It was felt other sites, such as Maidstone East,were “sequentially preferable” for a new supermarket. Council leader Annabelle Black-


more said the inspector’s landmark decision could adversely affect in- terest in Maidstone East, although as itwas only a speculative scheme, the timeframe for delivery would need to be assessed. She said: “Maidstone East and


the sorting office is a regeneration scheme but this appeal decision has the potential to affect the delivery of a supermarket at that particular location. If the decision stands then


Traffic concerns


ONE resident who will be affected by the new supermarket is Green party member Stuart Jeffery, who lives in Buckland Road. He said: “I cannot understand


Maidstone’s Powerhub building is to be redeveloped


we would have to revisit our retail policy.”


Planning inspector John Gray reported: “There is agreement be- tween the appellants and the bor- ough council that there is no viable use for the listed Powerhub building on its own. “The council also agrees that,


were there a foodstore operator in place, the proposed development would be viable.” He also autho- rised the demolition of neighbour- ing Raglan House and certain parts of the Powerhub itself. One of the borough’s few re- maining examples of art deco architecture, the Powerhub has been likened to Battersea power station – coincidentally also under-


going a rebirth – and was home to the Tilling Stevens motor manufac- turer for many years. Designed by Wallis, Gilbert and


Partners, the foremost factory ar- chitects of the inter-war period, the Powerhub is one of the few build- ings of its kind to have survived unaltered. During World War II, it was a munitions factory. More re- cently, it has housed a business cen- tre, kitchen company, dance studio – and was the one-time base of fashion designer Karen Millen. The inspector’s decision has caused its supporters to call for an early meeting between the would- be developers, Maidstone Council and Kent Highway Services. Aprotected horse chestnut tree at


Mayor proclaimed at civic day


THE new mayor of Maidstone is Conservative Cllr Richard Thick, from Headcorn. Cllr Thickwas conferred with the honour in a celebration at Maid- stone Town Hall at the start of a new civic day – the first of its kind in the borough. Congratulatory speeches were


followed by a parade through the town to a civic service at All Saints’ Church. Cllr Thick has been a member of Maidstone Council since 1998 and has served on various committees, including planning. He is also


New mayor Richard Thick with his wife on civic day.


Picture: Andy Archer


involved in volunteer work in Headcorn. The mayor started singing in a


church choir at the age of six and now sings with the Tongswood Chamber Choir, based at St Ronan’s School in Hawkhurst, and is a member of Headcorn church choir. He formerly sang with Sutton


Valence Choral Society along with his wife of 39 years Rosanne, who still does. The deputy mayor is Cllr Daniel Moriarty, the Independent member for ParkWood. This year’s mayoral charities are


the Urban Blue Bus, Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Mencap.


how KCC did not object to a plan which will increase traffic by 54% in a known area of congestion, which would see the removal of the only cycle lane across the river and that would see the pavement which is used by thousands of chil- dren to access schools, cut in half.”


the junction of London Road and Buckland Hill will be grounded as part of associated highway works. A letter from a resident in sup-


port of the TPO, issued in October last year, says the tree is a “beauti- ful mature specimen that is a local landmark and enhances the street scene. Its loss would be very detri- mental to the character of the area”. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “The proposed widening of the junction of Buckland Hill with London Road and the widening of the car- riageway on the ‘new’ down- stream bridge, will be at the expense of pedestrians and cy- clists.”


Pavilion work


BARMING village pavilion is to be re-built, after six years of planning. Work on the exterior of the build-


ing in Church Lane, which has been deemed unfit for purpose, starts soon and should be com- pleted by the autumn. The building is said to be in a


sorry state has a leaking roof. The project will cost £70,000, with £50,000 from Maidstone Council, KCC grants and fundraising. The rest will be provided by a loan taken out by the parish council. The parish council says the new facilitieswould eventually provide income to keep precepts down.


School praised for geing itself back on track


A GOVERNMENT inspector has agreed a Maidstone school with “seriousweaknesses” is now back on track, with a positive plan to improve standards. The appointment of a new head


at Molehill Copse in April, a spe- cial educational needs co-ordina- tor and a new governor are just some of the steps taken to address Ofsted’s concerns. Government inspector Amanda


28 Maidstone Town August 2014


Gard noted the determination to improve standards at the school, reserving her criticism for The Academy Enterprise Trust, whose action plan for the Hereford Road school she described as muddled. “The Academy Enterprise


Trust’s statement of action in- cludes all the areas for improve- ment from the school’s inspection. However, the organisation of the plan is muddled,” Ms Gard said.


“It does not set out well enough who will lead the actions, what is hoped to be achieved, how progress towards goals will be checked and how this will be done. .” The inspector praised the school’s own action plan, the head’s ambitious approach to rais- ing standards and its new special educational needs team, which knew what was needed to raise


standards. The inspector added: “The school’s action plan identifies the key areas towork on and makes it clear who is responsible, what they need to do and the timeframe for action.” Her comments will be sent to the Secretary of State for Education, the chair of the management board and the director of chil- dren’sservices for Kent.


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