News
downsmail.co.uk Signs ‘leading drivers wrongway’
A MAIDSTONE pensioner is call- ing for changes to misleading road signs directing motorists to the Lockmeadow Entertainment Cen- tre in Barker Road, Maidstone. Carlo Attubato
(79), of Tovil Road, contacted KCC after his friend from Sta- plehurst turned up late for their meeting at the Maidstone
Market because the signs took him away from the complex. For vehicles entering the town
centre gyratory system from the south, an incorrect sign in College Road states that Lockmeadow traffic should follow signs to the M20. About 100m further on, in Bishop’sWay, a sign instructs M20 traffic to use the central and right lanes. But just as the junction with Broadway approaches, another sign
tells Lockmeadow traffic to turn left across the town bridge, forcing vehi- cleswanting to visit the complex into a last-minute and potentially dan- gerous swing into the left lane. Carlo’s friend failed to see the final
sign in Bishop’sWay, so travelled to- wards the M20 before realising his error at Springfield. He was unable to find Lockmeadow so parked in the Fremlin Walk car park from where he walked to the market, ar- riving late. Had he seen the final sign, he
would have had to make the drastic change of lane. Carlo said: “The first sign should
say: ‘For Lockmeadow follow the A26’ but instead it tells you to follow the M20. This is a very misleading sign – I would like to cover it up!” Cllr Clive English, ward member
for High Street, said he has passed on the issue to KCC.
Man aacked ‘No grounds to refuse’ homes plan
by robbers Continued from page one
don’t have one. They hitmeover the head then dragged me upstairs where they tied my feet and arms using my own ties from the wardrobe. There was blood every- where. Iwas frightened formylife.” The raid lasted about 15 minutes
while the threementore through the property shouting, ransacking cup- boards and drawers and helping themselves to items of value. The haul, which included rare and
valuable silver, a £15,000 painting and two Persian rugs worth £12,000, totalled £100,000. “Some was silver that I have col-
lected, some are items handeddown from the family, which I cannot re- place,” he said. “Itwas the most ter- rifying experience.” When the traumatised business-
manwas satisfied the intruders had left, he managed to wrest his wrists free and shuffled downstairs to his mobile phone. He said: “I rang friends and fam-
ily and then the police and ambu- lance turned up.” He was taken to hospital by am- bulance where he received four stitches to the head. The suspects are all described as
being about 5ft 8in, with at least one having an Irish accent. Detective Inspector Adam Ball
said: “We are confident the same group of men is responsible. They have been wearing balaclavas, not only as a disguise but as away of in- timidating their victims.” Anyone with information is asked
to call DS Harrold on 01303 289383 quoting crime reference YY/7728/15, or call Kent Crimestoppers anony- mously on 0800 555111.
32 Maidstone South May 2015
PLANNING permission was granted for 40 homes off South Lane, Sutton Valence. The scheme will see the demoli-
tion of the detached house Brandy’s Bay and will comprise seven five- bedroom, three four-bedroom, 15 three-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom houses served by 86 parking spaces. Dozens of objections were raised,
with some residents feeling that building on the greenfield site would harm the appearance of the countryside and adversely change its character. Carol Hunt, a teacher at SuttonVa-
lence Primary School, told Maid- stone Council’s planning committee: “My family has lived here for 50 years and this development would
be at the bottom of many gardens. “There would be 122 bedrooms. If
40 of these are for parents, this leaves 82 bedrooms for children yet only 11 primary school places are available at the village school. “This would mean they would
have to go to Headcorn.Will there be public transport for them, or will it rely on parents to drop them off at Headcorn, park, travel back home and repeat the process daily? Can Headcorn village cope with this?” She also felt the proposalwas un-
fair on the residents of 1 Captains Close, adding: “To mask the noise and traffic pollution the developer is suggesting a new tree-line which will cause extensive loss of light to that dwelling and its gardens.
Post office plot trio in court
THREE men have been charged in connection with an alleged plot to steal cash safes from post offices in Kent. Stephen Davenport (53) of Fairbourne Lane, Harrietsham, has
been charged with conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis; Anthony Pemberthy (36) of Green Lane, Lang- ley, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle and Michael Turner (58) of Tilden Close, High Halden, has been charged with conspir- acy to burgle. The threewere arrested as part of an ongoing investigation by of-
ficers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. They are also accused of plotting to steal an ATM from a property in Peas- marsh, East Sussex. Officers have also charged a fourth man – Dean Payne (35) of Beacon Road, Lenham with conspiracy to supply cannabis and production of cannabis. All four men appeared before Medway magistrates and were re- manded in custody until July 2 for a plea and case management hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.
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Read all the latest editions of the Downs Mail at
www.downsmail.co.uk “Wildlife on this greenfield site in-
cludes badgers, woodpeckers, owls and bats. The report says there was only one major accident on A274. Well, one of our children, Jasmine, lost her life on that road.” Cllr Barry Armstrong, of Sutton
Valence Parish Council, said the number of homes should be reduced to be more in keeping with the vil- lage.Hesaid a 730-signature petition had been handed to Maidstone Council protesting at SuttonValence being earmarked as a large village in the emerging local plan. But there were no policy grounds
on which the committee could re- fuse and they voted, on condition of a bolstered landscaping scheme, to accept the application.
Caery can
be extended PLANNING permission was granted for the extension of a cattery in Laddingford. The scheme will see a new build-
ing in the garden of The Old Forge, Claygate Road. It will be of the same scale and design as the house. Consent for a cattery was origi-
nally granted in May 2009 and the service has been in demand after the closure of two local catteries. Asupporting statement said: “The standard of accommodation is ac- knowledged by all customers as being extremely high.” One neighbour complained: “The owners of the cattery receive the an- imals in to the cattery at a point im- mediately next door to my kitchen. The conversations between the own- ers of the cats and the owner of the cattery are fully audible.”
Left: This road sign in College Road incorrectly states that Lockmeadow traffic should follow the M20.
Below left: Traffic going to Lock- meadow would therefore go into the central or right lane at Mill Street.
Below: But just as the junction with Broadway approaches, motorists are told that Lockmeadow is to the left – a drastic change of lane would therefore be required
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