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Homes scheme could put cricket club at risk
THEvillage cricket club inLenham could be under threat after a scheme for 24homeswas approved, a local councillor haswarned. Maidstone Council granted plan-
ning permission for a proposal to de- velop on an infill site in Maidstone Road, which includes the demolition of the United Reform Church and adjoining hall. However, there were 25 objec-
tions, including one from Lenham Cricket Club, who will have to erect a safety net when games take place to protect the new properties. Cllr Janetta Sams, local ward member, told the planning commit- tee: “If houses are built on the east- ern boundary there is considerable doubt that the cricket club will con- tinue to play. “Putting up an 8m-high net does
not do the club justice. There is a po- tential for damage and danger and those who will live here – with gar- dens within37mof the club – are not being considered. “Putting up safety glass and hav-
ing signs saying ‘Buyers beware’ when selling these properties tell us
the problemwe are facing. “The layout and design means
cricket balls will go into gardens at speed. This will lead to certain con- flict between new residents and the cricket club. “This is a typical village cricket
club, not only used by adults but also for youth development and community fun days.” Aswell as the net, toughened glass
will be used on homes overlooking the club. Alister Hume, for the applicant
developer Akehurst-Epps Ltd, said that in the past 18 months the num- ber of proposed dwellings had been
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Lenham Cricket Club is under threat from a housing plan
reduced and the layout adjusted to address the concerns. But Cllr Ian Chittenden, amember
of the committee, said: “The layout is poor, the elevations are poor. It re- minds me of sticking boxes next to each other on a Monopoly board. “It has no redeeming character. I
don’t like this design and when we are talking about a conservation area ... I can’t see how this is acceptable.” Despite the proposal being con-
trary to Lenham’s emerging neigh- bourhood plan, the committee felt there were no policy grounds to re- fuse and voted to give the applica- tion the go-ahead.
News Crash death
A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Maidstonewas killed in an horrific head-on collision in Boxley. The man was driving a white
Ford Focus that rolled into a field after hitting another car on the Pil- grimsWay on the evening of Satur- day, April 25. Police officers say the Focus,
which was being driven along the Pilgrims Way towards Boxley, overtook a grey Toyota Corolla be- fore colliding with a red VW Golf coming the otherway. The driver of the Focus, who po-
lice say lived in Maidstone, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Golf needed treatment for minor injuries. The accident happened at about 8.30pm.
Garden safari RESIDENTS in Detling will be opening their gardens to the public at its garden safari in June. Several gardens will be open
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Pavilion plan BEARSTED and Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club has been given plan- ning permission to create a covered platform at its pavilion in Church Landway, Bearsted.
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Maidstone East May 2015 27
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