News Speed proposal
KENT Police has objected to a pro- posed speed limit reduction in Headcorn. A480-signature petition, arranged
by the ward Cllr Martin Round, called for an extension of the 30mph limit on theA274 in Maidstone Road to include the Stonestile Road cross- roads and Headcorn Business Park. In to a report to Maidstone’s Joint Transportation Board, Kent Police said “it would result in an unrealis- tic expectation of enforcement”. The objection follows aKCCstudy
that established that vehicles on the stretch usually travel close to 40mph. The county council will undertake further investigations.
Driver banned
A MOTORIST from East Farleigh whorefused to take a breath test has been banned from the road for three years. Lee James Wallis (40) was also
fined £300 after he admitted failing to provide a breath specimen in Dartford on November 18. Wallis, of Farleigh Bridge,was also
billed £85 costs and a £30 victim sur- charge.
Road closed
VICARAGE Lane in East Farleigh will be closed for up to three days from February 16 for the installation of customer water meters by South EastWater. The alternative route is via The Green, B2010 Lower Road, Gallants Lane andWilsons Lane.
downsmail.co.uk
Clean and safe town is top of your priorities
ENSURING residents live in a clean and safe environment should be 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.
School ‘making progress’
PROGRESSis being made at Staple- hurst Primary School to tackle seri- ous weaknesses identified during a Government inspection. The primary school, in Gybbon
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.
34
Rise,was visited again in December after a report a year earlier in which Ofsted’s CatherineAnwardescribed the school as inadequate and re- quiring improvement in key areas including teaching, pupils’ progress, and the curriculum. Since then, five teachers have left and four have joined the school. Speaking after the school’s latest inspection, Mrs Anwar thanked
head Cathy Farthing for explaining the actions taken, concluding: “The school is making reasonable progress towards the removal of the seriousweaknesses designation.” She praised the head’s drive and determination, whichwas being re- flected in better test results and the rates of progress among pupils. Im- provements in teachingwere appar- ent and the governorswere praised. However, she added that consis- tency in the quality of teaching re- mained a problem. Another inspection is expected
before May. Plan to create offices in stables
OFFICE space could be created in former stables behind Chartwood, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood. A planning application calls for the creation of 121sqm of office
space through conversions to provide two meeting rooms, office space, a kitchen area and toilets. “To achieve this it is proposed to erect a roof between the two exist-
ing buildings and to infill the elevations,” a supporting statement said. Access to the site would be via Duck Pond Lane, to the east of the site. Five parking spaces are proposed. Maidstone Council will decide the application.
Maidstone South February 2015 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%)
Home at pub A NEW planning application has been submitted to create a home in the grounds of The Victoria pub in Heath Road, East Farleigh. InAugust 2012 Maidstone Coun-
cil’s planning committee refused a proposal to build five three-bed- room homes next to the pub. The latest proposal is for the con-
version and extension of The Coach House, behind the pub, to a single home for the applicant’s daughter. The application says the building
is currently used by the owners of the pub but not as part of the com- mercial operation. The council will decide the latest scheme.
Tree to be felled
ENGLISH Heritage has been given conservation area consent to fell an ash tree at Sutton Valence Castle, Rectory Lane, Sutton Valence. According to the applicant the majority of the crown of the tree, located on a steep bank close to a boundary, was dead.
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