News Improvement
at kindergarten COBNUTS Steiner Kindergarten has shown huge improvement, ac- cording to Ofsted inspectors, who awarded the Fant nursery a good grade in its latest report. The report, published in October, follows a disappointing “inade- quate” mark last time for the Gat- land Lane kindergarten. This time, an inspection noted:
“Staff are a dedicated and experi- enced team and demonstrate a good knowledge of the Steiner ap- proach. They provide a vast range of open-ended and natural activi- ties and experiences, which are ac- cessible to children in both the indoor and outdoor area on a daily basis.” The report concluded that staff
had a well-established key-person system, which, along with good re- lationships, helped ensure young- sters felt safe and secure and developed a good knowledge and manners. The inspection suggested further improvements could be made by ensuring changes were introduced to children’s routines in a way that kept them fully engaged and staff took opportunities to develop their independence during snack times.
downsmail.co.uk
Residents protest over latest plan for homes
FANTresidentsmadetheir feelings known when developer Gleeson unveiled its plan for 270 homes and a country park on Fant Farm in Fant. Placard-waving locals gathered outside Fant Hall, where the two- day exhibition was staged, to voice their disapproval of the proposal, which is expected to lead to a plan- ning application later this year or early next. The developer is determined to
press ahead with the scheme, de- spite fierce local opposition. Local politicians from all sides
fought hard to successfully get the farm removed from Maidstone Council’s draft local plan earlier this year, but with a definitive plan still not in place, it has become open sea- son for developers, says Ian McDon- ald, prospective Green party candidate for Fantward. Mr McDonald said: “I was horri-
fied to learn of the plans by Gleeson to press ahead with a scheme for this beautiful site. This is in spite of wide- spread local opposition to plans for
Residents hope to prevent the introduction of 270 homes in open countryside
housing on this beauty spot and in- deed on other Maidstone green sites, while somanymore suitable brown- field sites exist.” Fant Cllr Alistair Black (Con), said:
“We think the road network is at ca- pacity and cannot handle any more traffic. We detest the loss of grade one agricultural farmland and the damage that housing here could do to the Medway Valley landscape.” As well as the housing, which
would be close to the boundaries of existing homes, the developerwants to create a country park, pond and landscaped countrywalks. But Mr McDonald said: “The country park would be smaller than the present area, and nothing like the farmland and vistas. In any case, the infrastructure, schools, health
centres, bus services and congested streets in Fant cannot support an in- crease in residential demand on the scale envisaged. “In Maidstone there is a real need
for newhomes, especially social and affordable housing. However it is very doubtful that the Fant Farm de- velopment will be anything other than executive homes for the rich.” Cllr Stephen Paine (Con), also a councillor for Fant Ward, said: “I andmycolleagues voted to take this site out of the draft local plan be- cause we believed it was not a suit- able place for housing.” A non-political residents’ group
was established in 2013 to fight a proposal for housing on Fant Farm in the local plan. This group is now re-convening to fight thenewthreat.
David’s Driving School
First 5 lessons for £60!
• Weekly Lessons • Block Booking • Test booster courses • Midway pass course • Semi-intensive
• One week pass course
“The safe drivers of tomorrow are the well-taught learners of today”
For more information call....
07977 547383 0800 400 777
www.trainwithdavid.co.uk
8 Maidstone Town December 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