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Outcry at plan for 36 homes
A STRING of objections have been raised to a proposal to create 36 homes in the LooseValley. Millwood Designer Homes has lodged a planning application to build on two hectares of countryside north of Cripple Street, bordered to the east by BroadoakAveue, Buxton Close, RichmondWay and grade II- listed Bockingford Farmhouse. Immediately to the north, an out-
line application was submitted in November last year by Chailey Homes for 65 houses in Postley Road, next to TaylorWimpey’s 127- unit Hayle Park development cur- rently being developed. Several residents have left nega-
tive feedback on Maidstone Coun- cil’s website. Stuart Ashwell, from Richmond Way, wrote: “The site forms part of the picturesque en- trance to the Loose Valley, the foot- path forming a barrier between urban sprawl and the natural en- trance to the valley. Building on this land would detract from the local scenery. “The land is part of a green corri-
dor between the Hayle Farm devel- opment and Lancet Lane. To lose any part of this would encourage more development and end the nat- ural flow of the landscape.” Brenda Coleman, of Richmond
Way, wrote: “I strongly object on the grounds of further loss of green space, loss of privacy and the impact on roads, overcrowding and also the lack of improved facilities to cope with further houses, eg doctors, dentists, schools and nurseries. “This development will also fur-
ther change, for the worse the na- ture and feel of the local area.” The proposal includes the realign-
ment of Cripple Street and a new site access. Millwood says it has listened to feedback from consultation events and reduced the number of homes from 70 to 36. Its supporting state- ment says the development, which would consist of 30% affordable housing, would include “informal open spaces together with enhanced landscaping”. There would be a mixture of two,
three, four and five-bedroom homes. Should Maidstone Council’s plan-
ning department recommend the scheme be accepted, borough Cllr Derek Mortimer has called it in to be determined by the planning com- mittee. He wrote: “Traffic on local roads and junctions are at capacity and no measures are proposed to mitigate even further traffic onto local roads.”
New Urban bus all white
KENT Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes has helped to launch a new Urban Blue Bus forMaidstone. The community bus has been a fixture inMaidstone town centre on
Saturday nights (and some Fridays) for the past five years, where volunteers provide both medical and emotional support to those in need – whether due to alcohol, drugs, assault or other reasons. The bus, staffed by
volunteers, helps more than 600 people a year and saves hundreds of calls to the police and ambulance service. The new single-decker
bus – which is actually white! – has been partly funded by a £15,000 grant fromthe office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner. Unlike its predecessor, which has been sold to Canterbury Council, it comes with a fully-equipped medical centre. Speaking at the launch at Kent Police Training School, Mrs Barnes said:
“It is undoubtedly a huge help to our officers policing the night time economy, freeing them up to deal with other issues.” Paul Alcock, chairman of the Urban Blue Bus trustees, said: “Iam
delighted thatwe have been able to invest in replacing the bus, with a more modern one that will hopefully see us through the next five years. It is important to point out that this bus can be put to many uses aswell as providing the service in the town centre on a Saturday night.” The bus can be hired out for event first aid cover, as a base for a health
care or other promotion or any activity where it is considered to be of use. These uses generate revenue which helps provide its evening service.
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