South June 2015

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most three weeks listening to evi- dence both for and against the Gallagher Group development near Hollingbourne, south of the M20 near J8, as well as walking the site and observing its relation to the Kent DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which would be af- fected if the development goes ahead. Onthe final day of the inquiry, she

also visited Marden to see where two of the original applicants – Scarab andADL–were currently lo- cated. ADL, which would have occupied

75% of the site, has since withdrawn its interest, having found an alterna- tive site in the Midlands. Closing statementswere given by Richard Knox-Johnson for CPRE/JPG, Neil Cameron QC for KCC and Stephen Whale QC for Maidstone Council, and CraigHow- ellWilliams QC and Isabella Tafur, for the appellants. Mrs Peerless told the inquiry she

would be determining the appeal herself – it would not be sent to the Secretary of State. Earlier in the inquiry, chartered

surveyor Robert Sinclair had argued that the plan for Waterside Park might just be a ruse to extract sand,

Warehouse plan ‘Trojan horse’ Historic castle

‘is no pastiche’ BILL Lash, currently chief executive of the LeedsCastle Foundation,was not pleased to have read in the ap- pellants’ rebuttal that the castle was deemed a “pastiche” design. He briefly described the castle’s

Protestors gather outside County Hall where the public inquiry took place

rather than contribute to the local economy. Speaking as a witness for CPRE

Kent,MrSinclair suggested that per- haps this proposal was a “Trojan horse” to enable the applicant to re- move the sand and that if the appli- cant had instead applied for mineral extraction in isolation it would have been refused. His evidencewas backed by Gary Thomas, the former chairman of both Boxley Parish Council and CPRE Kent. Mr Thomas, chairman of CPRE

Kent’s transport specialist group and the Maidstone branch, argued that the transport section of the appli- cant’s case failed to deal with the re- moval of sand and topsoil. Major adverse effects on the local road sys-

temwere likely, he said. Hollingbourne parish Cllr John Cobbett, who said the development would be a blot on the landscape, said the community was concerned about the scale of sand extraction and therewas no guarantee that the buildings would be built. More than 70 people from Bearsted, Thurnham, Hollingbourne and Leeds joined KCC leader Paul Carter and borough councillors in protest at County Hall at the start of the inquiry. The applicant’s case claimed that Maidstone Council’s local plan 2000 was out of date, the emerging local plan should carry little weight and that junction 8 had been previously identified by Maidstone Council as a strategic site for development.

history through the centuries, em- phasising amultitude of royal con- nections, adding that, like any other building, changes had taken place, from being a fortified castle, to a home for many royal kings and queens, to a countryhomefor Lady Baillie, and latterly as a venue for the Northern Ireland peace talks. It was quite clearly a real castle and not a pastiche. He added that the castle made a

substantial contribution to the local economy, and emphasised the im- portance of its approaches, critical to the enjoyment of the visitor ex- perience. The inquiry heard that views to-

wards the site from Leeds Castle would be “disastrous” – theWater- side Park buildings would be the height of a six-storey block of flats and four metres taller than the new Next building off M20 Junction 7.

Fran wins on casting vote Earthquake doctor praised Continued from page one

alternative, to try and get all parties to work together.” Cllr McKay’s nomination – by In- dependent Cllr Fay Gooch – re- ceived only three votes of support in the three-horse race for the chair. When a second ballot was held,

fellow Labour member Paul Harper voted for Cllr FranWilson, while Cllr Gooch voted for Cllr Blackmore. As a named vote is carried out in alphabetical order, that left Cllr McKay holding the trump card – which he cast for Lib Dem group leader Cllr FranWilson. Cllr Wilson said she was de- lighted but shellshocked at the de- cision to elect her as leader and said: “I knew it would be very close but I didn’t really think we would do it.” However, she is no stranger to

the role, having been leader seven years ago and a member of the council for High Streetward for al- most 20 years. Unlike recent council leaders,

who have headed a cabinet-run system, 73-year old Cllr Wilson takes over as the new committee

10 Maidstone South June 2015

structure comes into play. It was the Lib

Dems who last year fought for the switch back and CllrWilson said: “This way is very different and much more democratic. As Denise Joy said last year when we voted to bring this in: ‘the residents of the borough do not choose first and second class councillors’. “Each of the 55 councillors should be part of the decision-mak- ing process and when five people make all the decisions, as with the cabinet, people begin to feel disen- franchised. “I realise I now have a huge re- sponsibility. It is now down to my leadership to see if we can form a consensus. “We cannot be at each other’s throats. There are enough of us – Conservatives and Lib Dems – who have worked together amicably in the past and there is no reason why we cannot do that again.”

Cllr Fran Wilson

A DOCTOR from Cranbrook emerged as a heroine of the Nepal earthquake. Rachel Tullet (34) is credited

with saving 23 lives despite suffer- ing leg injuries so serious she had to stitch her own wound without anaesthetic. Rachel was working as a volun-

teer in the tent hospital at Everest Base Camp when the earthquake and resulting avalanches devas- tated the area, killing many and leaving others badly injured and stranded. Her actions in keeping 25 seri-

Fun at the fete

THERE will be plenty of fun for everyone at Hunton’s traditional country fete on Saturday, June 20. The bells of St Mary’s Church

will ring to open the fete at 2pm and entertainment will include Dizzy O’Dare with the Giant Bal- loon Show and local jazz band Dr Jazz.

There will be a dog show, tradi-

tional games in the arena, bouncy castle, toddlers’ ball pit, homemade cakes, teas, beer tent, barbecue, In- dian food and much more.

ously injured people alive and preparing them for helicopter evacuation have been widely praised. Two casualties subsequently

died of their injuries but eyewit- nesses, including climber Selina Dicker from London, are certain the death toll would have been higher without Rachel’s efforts. Rachel, who now works in New Zealand, plans to spend time in Nepal helping to rebuild facilities and lives. In New Zealand she worked in A&E after the Christchurch quake.

Get involved

A COMMUNITY group in Head- corn is looking for help to make the village more beautiful. Bloomin Headcorn aims to in-

crease the natural beauty and bio- diversity of the village by holding planting and maintenance activity days. It also hopes to run wildlife days for children. The group will be part of the

Royal Horticultural Society’s “It’s your neighbourhood” scheme. Details on 0750 3258769 or email bloominheadcorn@gmail.com.

A DECISION on a plan for warehousing atWaterside Park, near junction 8 of the M20, should be announced within the next two months. Inspector Katie Peerless spent al-

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