News New police


chief named SUSIE Harper has been named Maidstone’s district police com- mander. Chief Inspector Harper, who re-


places Simon Wilson, previously worked as head ofCIDinWest Kent, based at Maidstone Police Station. She has 25 years’ policing experi- ence, which includes a position at Cambridgeshire Police. Ch Insp Harper said: “We have


one of the busiest and safest night- time economies in the South East, and we also have a significant amount of development which is thriving in our rural areas, sowe cer- tainly have a diverse range of issues and challenges to police. “As head of the CID team inWest


Kent I worked with my uniformed colleagues and neighbouring forces to ensure that victims and witnesses were at the heart of our business, and to lock up those who break the law. I look forward to developing greater community and partnership working to keep Maidstone safe.” Ch Insp Harper is one of four dis-


trict commanders inWest Kent who report to divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Corbish- ley.


‘No budget to


tackle parking’ DANGEROUSparking is unlikely to be tackled by dedicated police offi- cers, West Kent divisional com- mander Steve Corbishley has said. Anattendee of the Maidstone and District Neighbourhood Watch AGM said parked vehicles on the A229 close to the traffic lights at the Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junc- tionswere causing a safety hazard. Chief Supt Corbishley said hewas


“between a rock and a hard place” because budget constraints would not allow for the deployment of offi- cers on trouble spots to pinpoint of- fenders. Instead, he assured that any police officers who encountered dangerous parking would act on it.


downsmail.co.uk


KCCmember threatens to object to homes plan


KCChas reissued its threat to object to Maidstone Council’s local plan if the target of 18,600 homes between 2011 and 2031 is not reduced A year ago, shortly after the first


draft of the borough council’s local plan, county council leader Paul Carter said he would be prepared to object at a public enquiry unless the then target of 19,600was cut. Despite last May’s election yield-


ing a change in Maidstone Council’s leadership from Chris Garland to Annabelle Blackmore, and then later a 1,000-home reduction from the original target, KCC remains of the view that the target is too high. Cllr David Brazier, KCC’s cabinet member for environment and trans- port, told the DownsMail:“We con- tinue to work with Maidstone Council to find a solution that pro- motes an appropriate level of growth with a fundable transport strategy that allows the town centre still to function. “If they insist on the higher hous-


ing figure figurewe would seriously consider attending the examination


in public of the draft local plan to ob- ject. If the county council puts for- ward an argument suggesting that the planning authority’s local plan is unsustainable then the inspector will listen.” KCC believes its case is helped by


legal advice from QC Christopher Lockhart-Mummery stating that if infrastructure cannot support the housing target itwouldbe acceptable for the borough council tomakea re- duction. Cllr Brazier added: “Much of the housing in the draft local plan is concentrated to the south-east of


Coffee shop at hospital


COSTACoffee is planning to open a new branch in Maidstone Hos- pital in the spring. The chain will replace a store room if a proposal is approved by Maidstone Council. The reception desk would be moved, as would the toilet facilities,


with the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends getting a larger shop. Asupporting statement said: “The proposal will allow for enhanced


WCfacilities for patients and visitors within a significantly less busy area away from the main hospital street. “Furthermore, the relocation of these facilities will allow for a new


convenient shop to inhabit the vacant space, which will bring in in- creased revenue for the trust.”


FREE


SHOPPERS and stallholders at the popular East Farleigh Farmers’ Market are helping to support a plethora of local charities. Almost £3,500 has been raised since the market was established in the car park of The Bull in 2011. Now held in the car park and hall of The Old School, on the first Sun- day of every month except January, hall owners Mandy Howard and Gary Hindley provide tea and cakes. Almost all produce is local, so food miles are low and customers have a wide choice of bread, cakes, jams, marmalade and honey, chut- ney, eggs, fudge, chocolate, fruit and


16


the town, which you would have to reach by Sutton Road, already at ca- pacity formuchof the time.Wewant to avoid Maidstone’s roads becom- ing utterly congested. Other consid- erations, such as sewerage andwater do not have the necessary capacity for the proposed numbers.” Cllr Blackmore believes Cllr Bra-


zier’s comments do not reflect the progress that has been made since she took over as leader. She said: “Al- though there have been times when both councils were not aligned, through sensitive negotiationwe are working in the common ground to- gether. “Cllr CarterandCllr Brazierdonot


agree with the housing numbers but we are looking to see whatwe cando to mitigate the issues. “For example, traffic modelling is starting to come out to help us pre- vent longer journey times.” Cllr Blackmore also called on Cllr Brazier to disclose the new legal ad- vice he claims to have received: “Whydoesn’t he share it with us and we can work together?”


‘Day room’ plan


CHART Sutton Parish Council has objected to a retrospective plan- ning application for a day room on a travellers’ site on Old Oak Paddocks, Chart Hill Road. The parish council commented: “It is obviously intended as living accommodation, not a day room, as it has a bathroom, toilets and kitchen.”


Maidstone Council will decide the application.


Read all the latest editions of the Downs Mail online atwww.downsmail.co.uk


Local charities boosted by farmers’ markets


market manager and, with assis- tance from Carol Lockwood and Caroline Jacques organising adver- tising boards, the event is a regular part of village life.


The number of stallholders has in- creased over the years and varies be- tween 12 and 18 depending on the time of year.


vegetables, apple juice, meat, plants and shrubs, cards, crafts and soap. The French Delicatessen adds a continental flavour, with cheeses, garlic, pates and other delicacies sourced from just over the Channel by Eric Chauvel.


Resident Sue Morris now acts as Maidstone South January 2015


Sue said: “In 2011, the village shop had closed, so it was a way of serv- ing the community, acting as a social event, plus a means of raising money for local charities.” Charities which have benefited in the past three years include Kent Air Ambulance, Demelza, Brighter Fu-


tures for Older People, Crossroads, Maidstone Day Centre (now Home- less Care), Hi Kent, Peggy Wood Foundation, Kenward Trust, Heart of Kent Hospice, the local branch of the


Alzheimer’s Society, Kent


Wildlife Trust, the V Team, Dande- lion Time, Loose Valley Conserva- tion Society, Kent Association for the Blind, Blackthorn Trust, Help a Maidstone Child, the British Wire- less Fund for the Blind (based in Maidstone), Porchlight, East Far- leigh Pre-school, and M4S. Some charities also attend the market to raise awareness and to publicise their work.


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