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downsmail.co.uk Duke opens school buildings
TWO buildings have been offi- cially opened at the Valley Invicta Academies by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. The Taylor and Izatt buildings
were built to accommodate the growing number of pupils at Invicta Grammar and Valley Park schools. The schools were awarded a total
of £5m – £1.6m for Invicta and £3.4 for Valley Park – by the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund. Work began on both buildings in February 2013, but was held up at Invicta when ragstone was discov- ered during piling and broke the drill. The Izatt buildingwas eventu- ally completed in the spring, two months behind schedule. TheTaylor Building atValleyPark, named after former governor Judi Taylor,was handed over in June and
SHOPPERS queued to be the first to step inside Maidstone’s newest department store. Town centre traders fear Next Home, at the Eclipse Business Park, just off J7 of the M20, will take busi- ness away from the town, whereas supporters argue it will draw more people in.
used as the GCSE and A Level ex- amination centre. The Izatt Building, named after vice-chair of governors David Izatt, means Invicta cannowoffer a wider range of English courses, classical civilisation, RE and dance. Head of Invicta, Julie Derrick said:
“The Izatt building has provided us with fantastic facilities that are light, airy, spacious and motivating for our students and staff. There is no doubt that the environment has an impact on the quality of learning.” Mrs Taylor retired as UK market-
ing manager for Kimberley-Clark in 2000 and was a governor at Invicta for seven years from 1996, then chairman of governors for three. She chaired the federation for five
years and the VIAT Trust Board be- tween 2011 and 2014 and remains a
Queues for Next opening The flagship store combines fash-
ion, homeware and DIY products over three floors. The 40,000sqft store has created 100 jobs. Next has secured a 15-year lease
on the site, owned by Gallagher Properties. Staff have transferred to the new store from Next in Fremlin Walk, which has closed.
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HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (right) at the opening of the Taylor building with (fromleft) Michael and Judi Taylor and David and Margaret Izatt
director and trustee. She is also chairman of VIAT primary schools’ governing body. She is also a founder member and trustee of the Friends of Leeds and Broomfield Churches, helping to raise more than £66,000 for the churches since 1999.
APPEAL dates have been an- nounced for the proposals to build a business park near M20 J8. Maidstone Council has refused
two applications from Gallaghers, Scarab Sweepers and ADL to build warehouses on a develop- ment calledWaterside Park south of the A20 near Hollingbourne.
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Mr Izatt, from Loose, became a
parent governor at Invicta 26 years ago, when his two daughters were pupils. His granddaughter is now a student there. Mrs Derrick said: “The Duke’s
visitwas a wonderful opportunity to showcase our lovely buildings.”
Business park planning appeals
The first hearing by a planning in- spector is in mid March 2015 and the second, for a smaller scheme, is scheduled for May 6. The council has obtained the services of barrister Tim Corner QC, who successfully fought the battle against the nearby Kent In- ternational Gateway (KIG) plan.
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