This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
News


downsmail.co.uk


SecondWaterside Park plan refused by council


The potential site near Detling Detling estate


plan proposed Continued from page one NickYandle, the developer’s chief executive, said: “All is not lost – the appeal on the original application for Waterside Park is already un- derway and this latest refusal can also be appealed.” Planning consent would have en-


abled Marden-based companies Scarab and ADL to move into Wa- terside Park, but the planning com- mittee felt the development would have been out of keeping with the open countryside and AONB. Mr Yandle added: “The decision


will discourage investors, develop- ers and businesses who might oth- erwise consider Maidstone for their ambitious and growing companies. Relocating Scarab andADLclose to the motorway will preserve existing jobs, create new jobs and prevent dozens of HGV journeys through villages and the town centre.”


GALLAGHER Properties has been thwarted for the second time in its quest to get planning consent for a newindustrial estate offM20Junc- tion 8 near Hollingbourne. In February, Maidstone Council refused planning permission for its application to build 56,000sqm of warehouses on 11.7 hectares of land, calledWaterside Park, south of A20 Ashford Road and east of Old Mill Road.


Despite a respective reduction in


size to 45,000sqm and 10.2 hectares, the planning committee’s decision on the resubmitted application was the same, with five Lib Dems, an in- dependent and Ukip councillor out- voting the five Conservatives who were against refusal. Cllr Tony Harwood reiterated the


same grounds for refusal as he had previously: the overall scale, mass and design of the building, together with its topography, would be detri- mental to the character of the coun- tryside and Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He called the scheme, which was also contrary to policy, “grotesque”.


Despite objections from all neigh- bouring parish councils, 60 resi- dents, Leeds Castle, CPRE Protect Kent, KCC Planning and local MP Hugh Robertson, officers recom- mended the go-ahead, claiming the scheme’s economic benefits out- weighed the harm caused to the countryside and loss of grade two agricultural land. But the committee’s decision was


a blow to Marden-based companies Automotive Distributors (ADL) and Scarab Sweepers, which want to move to Waterside Park after out- growing their headquarters at the Wheelbarrow Industrial Estate. John Foster, Maidstone Council’s economic development manager, pointed out that a recent report set a target of 14,000 new jobs in Maid- stone by 2031 and the potential loss of ADL and Scarab to sites outside the borough could mean increasing this figure to 17,000. Chris Garland, the former council


leader and a substitute member of the committee, was in favour of the scheme, emphasising it was much smaller than the planned 117-heca-


tre Kent International Gateway (KIG) freight interchange on nearby land thatwas refused on appeal four years ago. He said: “If KIG had not occurred


at all then this would not be such an issue. The need for 3,000 jobs cannot be overlooked. Not everyone can af- ford to spend £300 per month to get a train to London or get to Medway for work.” Cllr Val Springett, representing Bearsted, cited a study that estab- lished a target for 6,500sqm ofware- house space for the borough in the next 17 years, meaning the scheme would create an oversupply. Cllr Martin Cox, a committee member, said: “This will spoil the countryside. We must listen to the 23,000 peoplewhosurround this site and must not be swayed by the goal of money coming into the town.” An appeal is due to be heard on


the original scheme in theNewYear. Gallagher’s chief executive Nick Yandle would not confirm after the meeting if the company would also lodge an appeal against the latest de- cision.


6


Maidstone East November 2014


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56