downsmail.co.uk


Music festivalwelcome Dear Sir – In response to Mr Hacke’s leer in the Downs Mail regarding the Ramblin’ Man Festival in July, I have to disagree. I also live near Mote Park and am very


happy to have this festival on my doorstep. As for the noise, I do not believe it is an outrage to have these events once or twice a year. In fact, it is a great opportunity to put Maidstone on the map. These festivals bring benefits to the town. We are very lucky to have this great park


close to us. I believe it is importantwe make the most of it. Perhaps all the events and gatherings that take place in Mote Park do not suit everybody’s tastes, and I amsure that during the year there are more non- festival events that do generate a high level of noise. But this is a park where individuals, groups and families gather together and have a good time, and this festival will not disappoint on that maer. Brian Penaloza,Weavering


Kims coverage an advert


Dear Sir – Iwas confused when reading the February issue regarding the amount of space given to the private hospital (Kims). Awhole page of free advertising seems extremely generous on the part of the Downs Mail. Everyone should have a choice of where/how to receive medical treatment but I feel promoting a private hospital in this way is biased. As far as I amaware this is a private hospital, the purpose of which is to recoup the original investment and make profit for the investors and therefore not a facility which is available to a large proportion of the population and free at point of treatment. EMGreenwood, by email


Contact our team ...


Stephen Eighteen Editor stephen@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 231


Broomfield and Kingswood


Crime report PCSO RyanWaring reported one crime – the burglary of a home in Cayser Drive. Therewere also reports of nuisance youths at the village hall on two occasions. PCSOsWaring and Tom Maybank had spoken to several youths in Kingswood. PCSOWaring asked that parishioners call 101 to report any concerns to help officers distinguish paerns in local issues. Proposed bypass Cllr Jenny While said that despite many reports regarding a Leeds bypass or spur road, no decisions had been made and therewas no funding to support the project. However she believed therewas a real need for answers to the problems of HGVs and the increased traffic on local roads. The clerk had received a leer from Eco Build PartnershipUKshowing the proposal for the route enabling the incorporation of Broomfield Park (a proposal for a development of a rural service centre and about 800 homes). The clerkwas asked to arrange a meeting in the village hall on April 27 and invite surrounding parishes. Speed restrictions Cllr Peter Page said enquiries with various organisations


Diane Nicholls


Assistant editor diane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 232


Jane Shotliff Journalist


jane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


including KCC confirmed that itwas unlikely that approval would be given to change the village speed limits to 20mph unless therewas proof of need. Sports field footpath The owner of the property next to the proposed footpath had asked that consideration be given to the footpath having a 2mmargin away from the new fence line. Itwas understood the woodland owner would only consider the footpath on the basis of minimal take-up of his land, also that KCC required there to be a clear view of the footpath that would only occur in the agreed location. Itwas decided that the cost of doing thiswas not an option. Assistant clerk The position would be offered to Stephanie Rossiter. Pensioners’ outing The outing to the Brick Lane Theatre had been booked for June 30. Acontribution of £15 would be required from each applicant but the coach, theatre and afternoon teawere all included. Cllr Clark had agreed to aend on behalf of councillors. Rural transport commiee KCC and Arriva were no longer prepared to continue with this group because therewere no other similar groups in Kent. The group continued


Dawn Kingsford


Journalist dawn@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


to oppose the move. Pink RibbonWalk This would take place on June 20 but would not affect the parish other than crossing Broomfield Road to access two parts of a public right ofway. Lier bin Street scene officer John Edwards from Maidstone Councilwas due to visit Kingswood regarding the placement of the bin on CharlesfordAvenue. Election All nomination papers for the parish council election on May 7 had to be submied to the clerk before April 9. However, the clerk had to make an appointment to submit the papers. The election packs had not yet been received.


Chart Suon


Police report Crime figureswere provided by PCSO Neil Denney. There had been an aempted burglary in Green Lane; the theft of a vehicle in Cobfield; a theft from a vehicle in Church Road; and a shed burglary in PloughWents Road. Community warden Liz Lova provided a report on recent thefts, a collision on Heath Road, the recent fire strike and CXK-IY parenting programme. Cllr46


Maidstone South April 2015 37


Our feature led on an item of news: the announcement that Maidstone could be the first place in Britain to have the new neuro rehabilitation village. It was also felt timely to include an update on


Kims, given that lile had been wrien about it since the official opening last spring. Our decision coincided with the hospital’s own announcement that it had just carried out the first open heart operation – again, a legitimate news item. It is not true to say that Kims is purely a


private hospital. The whole ethos behind it was to deliver a facility available for both private and NHS patients. The hospital has gradually extended the scope of its provision and, from April, was due to become part of the NHS “choose and book” service, available to all. These articles were in keeping with the comprehensive coverage we give to NHS maers. Response by Stephen


Don’t blame the Tories


Dear Sir – I am commenting regarding the article in your February edition on a proposal from a prominent Liberal Democrat councillor, Tony Harwood, for an additional 2,000 houses in an area of outstanding natural beauty at Lenham. It would appear that Liberal Democrats


have no qualms about building on fields if they can shift the blame elsewhere, usually on to the local Tories. Agood example of this is a leaflet distributed to residents of Staplehurst, which states that the Tories are planning to build 1,000 houses in the village. The authorwas present at some of the discussions that took place in Maidstone Council’s scrutiny commiee and should know that this statement is both misleading and untrue. It is blatant scaremongering.


The true figure agreed by the cabinetwas


for 650 houses to be allocated to Staplehurst in Maidstone Council’s emerging local plan. It is a maximum figure and is lower than the figure recommended by the scrutiny commiee, which included Liberal Democrats. There will also be safeguards for infrastructure. It should perhaps be noted that the Liberal Democrats are the second largest party on Maidstone Council, they chair the planning commiee and had significant representation on the scrutiny commiee that made the recommendations to the cabinet on site allocations such as those proposed for Staplehurst. Cllr John Perry,ward member for Staplehurst, cabinet member for community and leisure services.


No solution to congestion


Dear Sir – The suggestion in the Downs Mail March edition about a solution to the traffic problem, not only at The Wheatsheaf and Loose Road, by making laybys at The Swan to let buses pull in, would just mean them rejoining the traffic at a different place. And as far as breathing problems, why


stop at Loose Road? Go to Sheals Crescent/Hayle Road – the council is not interested. Sheals Crescent has an overtaking lane to


let emergency vehicles pass in the middle of the road.HGVs and lorries loaded with LPG have to mount the pavement. Where’s the risk assessment for this? James Burnham, Maidstone, by email James, the suggestion is to to have a half layby along Loose Road, which would provide enough space for other vehicles to overtake buses at the bus stop, rather than making them wait for passengers to get on and off. Response by Stephen


Comment


Parish councils


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