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downsmail.co.uk Housing sites thrown out


COUNCILLORS have bowed to public pressure and wiped several suggested housing sites off the future map for Maidstone. But development could still go


ahead on other controversial sites as part of Maidstone Council’s pledge to provide 18,600 new homes between now and 2031. The biggest victory came for res-


idents in Fant with their “Save Fant Farm” campaign, with the cabinet throwing out officers’ recommen- dation it could accommodate 225 new homes. Protestors bearing placards breathed a sigh of relief as the cab- inet unanimously rejected the site. Cllr Malcolm McKay said: “No-


body wants it, neither Labour, Lib Dem nor Conservative – for very obvious reasons.” The council threw the site out a


year ago because of the potential impact on the Medway Valley and the fact that the inclusion of a coun- try park in a future housing scheme would be likely to increase traffic in the already-congested area.


Save Fant campaigners at meeting


Council leader Cllr Annabelle Blackmore said: “Therewere sound reasons for rejecting this a year ago


and I am not aware of any reasons why it should go back in.” When a “call for sites” last year


failed to produce sufficient sites for new housing, the council cast its net for a second time. But of the 162 sites which were


put forward – including 42 re-sub- missions – officers recommended only 24 for consideration by the council. The 24 sites could, between them,


have provided 1,143 additional homes – still leaving a shortfall of 420 homes on the total need for 18,600. However, after listening to residents’ objections, the cabinet agreed that local knowledge was a key factor when considering the appropriateness of sites. The council’s planning and de-


velopment scrutiny committee spent 19 hours considering the var- ious sites before submitting its rec- ommendation to the council.


Project ‘could not finance services’


THE remaining sites will now go forward to a further public con- sultation along with all those al- ready included in the draft local plan.


Although members agreed that


traffic problems in Loose were crippling, they approved a site in Boughton Lane, where 75 new homes are proposed, to go for- ward to public consultation, as therewas already a public enquiry


pending against the council’s re- fusal of allow 220 homes in Boughton Lane. As KCC has not objected to this


larger scheme on traffic grounds, Mr Jarman said it would be incon- sistent at this stage to refuse a smaller scheme for the same rea- son.


Other additional sites accepted


as appropriate for possible future development include: 180-188


Union Street (30 homes); Tovil Working Men's Club, Tovil (20); Bridge Industrial Centre, Wharf Road, Tovil (15); The Dunning Hall, off FremlinWalk, Maidstone (14); The Russell Hotel, Boxley Road, Maidstone (14); Slencrest House, Tonbridge Road, Maid- stone (10); Brandy's Bay, Wren’s Cross, Upper Stone Street, Maid- stone (six); 18-21 Foster Street, Maidstone, (five).


Garden city concept impresses businesses


THE business community is said to be “won over” by the concept of garden cities, according to a Maid- stone law firm. Gullands, based in Mill Street,


held a garden city event at the Gal- lagher Stadium where one of the speakers was Chris Blundell, who was last year shortlisted for the Wolfson Economics Prize for his vi- sion to create a 15,000-home garden city in south-east Maidstone. The Downs Mail reported thatMr


Thief in court


A SHEPWAY man who stole twice from the same storewas given a 28- day suspended prison sentence at Mid Kent Magistrates Court. Gary Jackson (49), of Westmor-


land Close admitted stealing meat valued at £36 from a shop in Castle Road,Allington and four days later two bottles of whisky valued at £67.50. He was ordered to pay full compensation.


Blundell, director of development at the housing association, produced a 152-page document supporting a garden city fringing Otham, Lang- ley and Leeds. It is an extension of a much-criti-


cised proposal aired in 2013 by Golding Homes for a 5,000-home garden suburb in the Otham area. The event was attended by more


than 60 business leaders from Maid- stone and surrounding areas. A re- port in Gullands’ winter magazine


said: “The business communitywas won over by the concept of garden cities but there is still a long way to go to tackle the cost, planning and infrastructure hurdles.” Maidstone Council twice rejected Golding Homes’ 5,000-home proposal after it was submitted for its “call for sites” to help develop the local plan. Mr Blundell, working on the 15,000-home project in a personal capacity, has not yet formally sub- mitted his scheme to the council.


Police house to be converted THE Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes has applied to convert a former police house for vulnerable victims into a semi-detached home at 93 Sutton Road, Maidstone. Asupporting statement said the propertywas originally a regular res- idential dwelling. Maidstone Council will decide.


Restaurant plan BISON Print, at 56 Earl Street, could


be replaced by a restaurant if a plan- ning application gets the go-ahead.


More news, community events and information www.downsmail.co.uk


No objections


ONE of the difficulties faced by Maidstone Council when consider- ing the siteswas that neither KCC (responsible for highways and ed- ucation) nor the Environment Agency (sewage) had objected. KCC had itself suggested the


land at the former Astor of Hever School was suitable for housing. Schools in all areas of the borough are already at capacity, although Cllr David Burton said he had been in discussion with KCCabout future provision and felt “greatly reas- sured” that the issue of possible overcrowding was being addressed. NHSProperty Services says allGP


surgeries in Maidstone have capac- ity although some would benefit froman upgrade in their facilities.


Traffic congestion


TRAFFIC fumes in Sutton Road are now so bad that residents can- not open their windows. Cllr Marion Ring, pictured, told


the cabinet that the volume of traf- fic along the A274 was un- bearable and the number of vehi- cles using the Shepway estate as a rat run was phenomenal. She said any


housing south of the borough would only add to the problem and an alternative routewas nowan es- sential part of planning.


School site out


THE cabinet also threw out a site which could accommodate 60 homes on the old farm site of the former Astor of Hever Community School, because itwas an educa- tional campus with poor access. KCChad put the site forward, but members agreed allowing it could set a dangerous precedent.


KALC criticism


GERALDINE Brown, chairman of the Maidstone branch of the Kent Association of Local Councils, said Maidstone Council could use more legal flexibility to reduce the 18,600 homes target in the draft local plan.


Flats planned


SCHOOLHouse in Peel Street, Maidstone could be demol- ished and replaced by six two- bedroom flats. According to a statement, the building is in a poor state of repair. The pro- posal, which will be decided by Maidstone Council, would include four parking spaces.


Maidstone Town March 2015 15


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