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


Homes plan


A PLANNING application has been submitted to build 66 homes at The Old Goods Yard, Headcorn Road, Lenham. The proposal by Darren and


Barry Russellwould see the demo- lition of buildings associated with Len Valley Roofing, as well as a house, Amberly. The land has had industrial use


for more than 100 years but a sup- porting statement said: “Lorries and other vehicles have to come through Lenham Square. “The obvious answer is for the applicants’ business to relocate to a more accessible and appropriate lo- cation, and for this site to be rede- veloped for residential purposes.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the proposal.


Trees must stay A PROPOSAL to remove two pro- tected ash trees in the garden of 5 Podkin Wood, Walderslade, has been refused. An application form said the


trees “tower above” the house as well as 4 PodkinWood. Maidstone Council’s decision notice said there was no evidence of disease in the trees, and removing themwould be detrimental to the area.


34 Maidstone East August 2014 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


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.”


Hayley triumphs in castle triathlon


MAIDSTONE Harriers Tri Club picked up the ladies’ title in the first sprint triathlon at Leeds Castle. The event, which involved swim-


ming the moat, a 5km run around the castle and cycling 20km through the grounds, attracted 300 triath- letes. The first woman over the line in


1hr 27 was Maidstone Harriers Tri Club member Hayley Trevelyan – three minutes ahead of her nearest rival and 19th overall. Hayley said: “It was an amazing event to participate in and the mar-


shals and crowd were fantastic. “It felt quite surreal when I


crossed the finish line and it was an- nounced that I’d won.” The weekend’s action, involving


18 Maidstone Harriers, included Sunday’s Leeds Castle Olympic dis- tance race, the first event of this year’s Mid Kent Tri League. The club’s press officer, Maja


Cizmic, said: “The new league aims to boost friendly inter-club competi- tion and promote participation within the burgeoning triathlon scene in Kent.”


Hayley Trevelyan Quality mark for day nursery Thief in court


A MAIDSTONE nursery has been awarded the Kent Quality Mark. The KCC quality assurance scheme aims to encourage nurseries and pre-schools to raise standards. Kids Unlimited, in Ashford Road,


was one of 14 Kent schools awarded the mark earlier this month. Roger Gough, KCC cabinet mem-


ber for education, said: “We would encourage all nurseries and pre- schools in the county to aim for this award.” Each member of staff in the nurs- ery or pre-school is involved in the


scheme and has to consider all ele- ments of how the organisation is run and the impact of any sug- gested improvements to working practices on the child. Kids Unlimited submitted re-


search project “supporting transi- tion” to obtain the award. In Kent, 91% of early years and childcare providers are judged by Ofsted to be good or outstanding and there is a high correlation be- tween nurseries and pre-schools who take part in the scheme and those who secure this Ofsted rating.


JOHN Sweeney (30), ofWillington Street, Maidstone, received a sus- pended prison sentence after two shoplifting offences in the town. He admitted stealing deodorants


and coffee from a shop in Northumberland Road on April 25 and was convicted of the theft of items worth £164.99 from a super- market in Romney Place on April 29. Mid Kent Magistrates sentenced him to 30 days in jail, suspended for 12 months. He must pay £60 compensation and an £80 victim surcharge.


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