News
downsmail.co.uk Planners ‘ignoring public concern’
MAIDSTONE Council has been accused of snubbing local views with its approach to planning. Cllr John Horne, chairman of Maidstone’s Joint Parishes Group, spoke out after the council wrote to 241 landowners asking if they would consider making their suggested housing sites available for gypsies. The sites, submitted in response to
the council’s call for more develop- ment land for its draft local plan, but rejected for housing, could help re- duce the council’s need to find an- other 92 permanent gypsy pitches. But with national planning guid-
ance allowing for traveller sites in more rural locations than housing,
Cllr Horne says Maidstone Council’s letter has raised fears among resi- dents in areas including Headcorn, Ulcombe, Lenham and Yalding that they may get more sites. Maidstone Council has to provide
187 permanent traveller pitches within 16 years, but has so far given planning consent for just 75, with 23 sites identified in its draft local plan. A spokesman said: “Many of the
same planning considerations will apply to proposals for gypsy and traveller accommodation as apply to proposals for conventional housing. “It is the case, however, that na-
tional planning guidance draws a distinction between gypsy and trav-
eller accommodation and conven- tional bricks and mortar housing.” Cllr Horne, who is also a member
of Thurnham Parish Council, says this latest move by the borough council is one in a long line of plan- ning decisions that have caused upset. He believes only an inde- pendent inquiry will restore the public’s faith in Maidstone Council’s planning policy, which he says is un- responsive to public concerns. Cllr Horne added: “If sites are not suitable for bricks and mortar hous- ing,howcan they be appropriate for caravan settlements that also have bricks and mortar buildings? “As parish councillors we are
Footballer Ben off toworld cup contest
A FOOTBALL-mad schoolboy from Maidstone will be taking part in the World Youth Cup. Ben Findlay (10) from Chartway
Street, Sutton Valence, who attends Sutton Valence Prep School, trialled for the Independent School Football Association (ISFA) South East squad at Ardingly, Sussex, last year. Hewas put forward by the school’s head of boys’ games Tom Davey,
himself a keen footballer. He said: “Ben captained our unbeaten Colts A team last term. Despite playing for Maidstone United and the Maid- stone District side, I felt the trials would give him the opportunity to be stretched at a higher level.” Ben’s selection for the 16-strong
squad means he gets to play against the likes of Crystal Palace FC and Brighton and Hove Albion FC, and will
also compete against teams from more than 80 countries in theWorld Youth Cup in Sweden this summer. More than 1,600 teams are ex-
pected to take part. Mr Davey said: “Throughout the season, Ben was definitely our best player. He is a very good leader and has the ability to use both feet. He works incredibly hard for his team and I’m sure he will be a great asset to the ISFA side.”
elected members of local govern- ment, with a valid point of view to put forward on behalf of our local communities. During the local plan deliberationswe have played by the rules;we have jointly put forward a reasoned response to consultations and for this we engaged a planning consultant. All this has cost money. “We sought to take forward neigh- bourhood plans.We held local meet- ings with council leaders and planning officers. “In the end,we feelwe have been consistently snubbed
byMBC.There has been no dialogue. The time has now come for a public inquiry, with full privilege.”
A warm welcome awaits you at
Maidstone Salvation Army 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone ME14 1ED
Our weekly programme of events includes: • Sunday services at both 10.15am & 6pm. All are welcome.
• SAMS Tots. A term time mother and toddler group which is held on Monday & Friday mornings. (There is a waiting list for this group).
• Home League every Tuesday from 1.30 - 2.30pm. A friendly meeting group for ladies of all ages.
• CAMEO Coffee & Crafts on Wednesdays (fortnightly) at 10am.
• Ladies Fellowship at 7.30pm, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. This is a mixed age group with guest speakers & various activities to do.
• Over 60's group meetings each Thursday from 1.30 - 2.30pm. This group is open to all ladies and gentlemen, over the age of 60!
• Messy Church, held on the second Thursday of every month from 4-6pm. A time for primary school children & their families to have some creative fun, fellowship & share tea together.
• Youth Club for all children from Year 7 onwards. This is held on Friday evenings from 7-9pm and costs £1.50 per person.
For further information on these or any of our other events, please telephone the Community office on 01622 681808.
14 Maidstone Town June 2015
Unit 2, The Oast, Clockhouse Farm, Coxheath, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4PB
01622 744265
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