News
New home plan A PLAN to demolish and replace a home in Church Lane, Bearsted has been turned down. The application requested a new three-bedroom house in place of the existing property in Caterways, which itwas claimedwas suffering from subsidence. But Maidstone Council felt the
“bulk, mass, width and sprawling design” of the new home would have been visually harmful to the character of the surrounding con- servation area.
Bank’s future THE former NatWest bank in Lenham could be converted into a home. The bank, in St Mary’s Cottage,
The Square closed in January, a move blamed on the rise in home banking. The cottage will return to its orig-
inal use as a house if Maidstone Council accepts the prior notifica- tion application, which will bypass the planning process.
Tree ‘a hazard’
A PROPOSAL has been submitted to fell a protected sycamore tree at Abberley Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone. The planning application has re-
ceived support from a neighbour, whowas concerned about potential damage to his property if the tree fell down. Maidstone Council will decide.
downsmail.co.uk
Clean and safe town is top of your priorities
ENSURING residents live in a clean and safe environment is Maidstone Council’s top priority, according to a survey.
More than 5,000 responses were
received after the council’s cabinet visited 14 locations across the bor- ough and invited online feedback asking residents which of the coun- cil’s responsibilities most mattered to them. A clean and safe environment topped the poll with 925 responses (18%), closely followed by trans- port improvements, which was cited by 858 people (17%). The council has agreed to prioritise these topics during the next five years as part of its draft strategic plan.
Despite the council citing an as-
sessed housing shortage for press- ing ahead with the high figure of 18,600 new homes between 2011 and 2031, planning for sufficient homes to meet the borough’s needs came seventh out of the eight cate- gories with 506 respondents (10%) considering this most important. However, this issue topped the
poll for importance in Lenham and Coxheath – both villages where campaign groups have been estab- lished to prevent large housing de- velopments. The least important category,
which was considered the top pri- ority by only 442 respondents (9%),
Maidstone Council received more than 5,000 responses to its survey on priorities
was enhancing Maidstone town centre. This view was even shared by respondents at Maidstone Gate- way in King Street – the very heart of the town. For its draft strategic plan 2015-
20, the council’s cabinet has recom- mended allocating the highest level of funding to the clean and safe pri- ority.
Transport infrastructure is not
the direct responsibility of the bor- ough council, but funding is being allocated to public transport and parking management. It was also agreed to set aside substantial capital resources for in- frastructure and the development of a community infrastructure levy, which will help to raise funds for transport infrastructure improve- ments.
Roundabout changes to improve road safety
Cricket coach
Cyril retires CRICKET coach Cyril Davey has been presented with a crys- tal bowl to mark his retire- ment.
Cyril, who has been coach-
ing for the Association of Kent Cricket clubs, local schools and the Maidstone Cricket Academy for 35 years, has seen many youngsters play and enjoy the game. He received his trophy from Phil Pass, Maidstone cricket develop- ment officer. Phil and the academy wished him well and thanked him for his work.
8 Maidstone East February 2015
CHANGES to the layout at the Running Horse roundabout were due to go ahead in February after critics complained that new lane markings installed last year were dangerous and confusing. Work on the A229 junction was carried out nine months ago by KCC in a bid to make it safer, but many drivers felt the system had the opposite effect. Kent police also raised concerns that the current markingswere confusing to drivers and could lead to inappropriate lane discipline which could result in collisions. Currently, traffic entering the roundabout from Sandling Lane and heading towards Aylesford is instructed to take the inner lane on the roundabout, then immediately switch to the outer one to take the second exit. But many drivers have complained that this results in ve- hicles cutting up those that follow
the more conventional way, as ad- vised in the Highway Code, of stay- ing in the outer lane if going left or straight on. John Burr, KCC’s director of
highways, said the lanes were changed in April to tackle the sig- nificant level of serious crashes at the roundabout which had the highest number in Kent, with 27 in- jury accidents in three years. Recent figures showed there had since been no serious crashes there. However, as part of KCC’s mon- itoring process to assess the impact of these changes, it was found that some drivers were still queue jumping, changing lanes, and en- tering the roundabout at speed. He said:“We have discussed pro-
posed amendments to signs and changes in road markings to ad- dress this with Kent Police and plan to introduce these in early spring.”
Your priorities
Highest priority – vote breakdown A clean and safe environment: 925 people (18%) Transport improvements: 858 (17%) Encouraging good health: 638 (13%) Promoting employment and skills: 596 (12%) Good leisure and cultural at- tractions: 531 (11%) Respecting Maidstone borough: 508 (10%) Planning for sufficient homes to meet the borough’s needs: 506 (10%) Enhancing Maidstone town centre: 442 (9%)
Pub back after
being silenced THE Queen Anne pub in Sitting- bourne Road, Maidstone has re- opened under new management two months after itwas found to be playing copyrighted music without a valid permit. The pub claims to be the town’s
only gay pub. In November owner Caladium Ltd was ordered to bring its licence from Phonographic Per- formance Ltd up to date – and to stop playing music in the meantime. The company also had to pay
£1,661 in costs after the case was taken to the High Court in London. Mr Justice Norris ruled against Caladium and in favour of PPL after hearinghowan inspector visited the pub in July last year. Playing music in public without permission is an infringement of copyright and pubs and clubs re- quire a licence from PPL, which owns the rights to many chart hits. The pub, which closed the same
month as Caladium was fined, is back in operation and music is again being played.
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