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downsmail.co.uk J8 site back on planning agenda
MAIDSTONE Council’s left hand has been accused of not knowing what its right hand is doing. The claim comes after members
voted in favour of using land near J8 of the M20 for economic develop- ment and job creation, weeks after fighting aplanning appeal at the site. Maidstone’s policy and resources committee agreed to approve an economic development strategy supporting development at junction 8, leaving thosewhofought the pro- posed Gallagher development at Waterside Park aghast. Richard Knox-Johnston, vice-pres-
ident of CPRE Kent, said: “It is ex- traordinary that after a three-week public inquiry at which Maidstone Council spent hundreds of thou- sands of pounds fighting develop-
Protection for
open spaces AREAS of outstanding natural beauty and special scientific interest could be protected under policies being drafted by Maidstone Council. At its first meeting since the old cabinet system of governance was scrapped, the strategic planning committee called for a re-think on protections for areas such as the North Downs, Low Weald and Greensand Ridge. Although the council is pressing
ahead to find sites to meet the 18,500-plus target of new homes be- tween 2011 and 2031, decisions af- fecting the draft local plan are once more under scrutiny by members. Cllr Tony Harwood, vice-chair of
the committee, said: “Successive MBC cabinet members had frus- trated calls to develop a successor to the special landscape area policy. “The first full meeting under the committee system has achieved vital progress to protect our open spaces – this may prove to be the vote that saved Maidstone’s countryside.” The decision follows a planning inquiry into an application for 500 homes across two fields near Barm- ing Station in Hermitage Lane. Although Maidstone Council has allocated one of the fields in its draft local plan, it refused Croudace per- mission to build 420 homes on the northern field and 80 on the south- ern field, claiming it would have an adverse effect on the setting of the ancient woodland – Bluebell Wood – which runs between them. Croudace argued therewasno dif- ference in the landscape effect of the two sites and that the proposed road linking the developments would en- croach on just 2.5% of ancient wood- land. The NewAllington Action Group (NAAG) claims development will affect the natural woodland, bird- song and wildlife. Mr Clark toured both sites as part of his inquiry and a decision is expected this summer.
18 Maidstone East July 2015
Fromleft: Author Miriam McGuirk, Paul Andrews and Louise Henley, chairman of Kent Deaf Children Society Picture by Jen Edwards
Book launch helps charity
MORE than £250 was raised for the Kent Deaf Children Society at a book launch organised by Maidstone au- thor Miriam McGuirk. The bubbly flowed at The Town-
house Hotel in King Street, Maidstone when50guests enjoyedTurkishmeze while meeting the author, who now divides her time between the county town and southwest Turkey. Her book, “Shattered Dreams and Scorpions at Midnight – a search for sanctuary” tells Miriam’s personal story of how she countered the ef- fects of the debilitating illness ME and how, with the help of her hus- band Chris Pollard, she set out for a new life amid the mountains and
pine forests of a foreign land, where the air and climate is ideal for people who livewithME and fybromyalgia. The evening was hosted by Maid- stone-based business entrepreneur Paul Andrews, with raffle prizes do- nated by local companies. Miriam said: “A big thank you to
those who attended the launch and for their generous donations in buy- ing tickets for the raffle and to those who boughtmy book on the night.” KDCS is a registered charity that supports deaf childrenand their fam- ilies. Chairman Louise Henley said: “With the money raised, we will be able to host at least two playtime ses- sions for our younger children.”
Merlin does vanishing act
THE chairman of Thurnham Parish Council thanked the community for its “overwhelming support” in look- ing for his daughter’s cat, Merlin. Merlin escaped from his cat box
after receiving treatment at Nottcutts Veterinary Surgery and has not been seen since. The black cat’s concerned family
has leafleted the area and Cllr Skin- ner said he has been amazed by the public’s help. He said: “Dozens of people have
asked how they can help, and the manageress of the Bricks Coffee House at Newnham Court spent an
hour walking around the area with a chicken sand- wich, calling for him. I have been really touched by everyone’s concern and help.”
Anyone
with information about the pure black, collarless, tom cat is asked to contact Daniel Skinner on 07790 867498.
ment at junction 8, councillors are now being asked to pre-empt the planning inspector’s decision and ig- nore all its own arguments against development, as well as everyone else’s concerns, and promote devel- opment there. “Clearly the left hand doesn’t
knowwhat the right hand is doing.” Cllr Paulina Stockell attempted to
have juntion 8 taken out of the strat- egy but gained support from only three more members – fellow Con- servatives Martin Round and Louise Brice, plus Ukip Cllr Dave Sergeant. Economic development manager
John Foster argued development would be needed at junction 8 if
Maidstonewas to provide the 14,400 extra jobs required by 2031. Officers said a recent phone sur-
vey was in favour of development there, although opponents claimed the questionnaire posed to some 1,500 residentswas skewed. Cllr Round,whorepresents Head-
corn, said he was aware of just 50 people in his ward who were quizzed.However, since news of the council’s alleged U-turn had broken, he had been inundated with emails, phone calls and visits. CPRE Kent, 16 parish councils,
KCC, Natural England, Leeds Castle and the Kent Downs Area of Out- standing Natural Beauty Unit all
spoke at the inquiry into the Gal- lagher group plans for junction 8, which they claim would harm the AONB and the important heritage setting of Leeds Castle. The result of the public inquiry is
not yet known. John Horne, a mem- ber of Thurnham Parish Council whochairs the JointParishes Group, said: “This is not theway a responsi- ble local authority should be run.” Despite the council’s opposition to
Waterside Park, officers now say: “The strategic case for a new em- ployment site at junction 8 has been established and its development is critical to ensuring that the principle aim of the strategy is achieved.”
Rock at park
MAIDSTONE’S Mote Park is get- ting ready to rock’n’roll. An estimated 30,000 people are expected in town from all over Britain and Europe for the town’s first ever Ramblin’ Man fair on the weekend of July 25 and 26. Some of the biggest names from
the golden age of rock headline the two-day festival, including Maril- lion, Blue Oyster Cult, Camel, the Scorpions and Gregg Allman. Organised by The Rock Collec-
tive and TeamRock, the festival aims to bring the best of classic rock, progressive rock and a smat- tering of country and blues to Mote Park, where Seasick Steve will headline the country and blues stage.
There will also be gourmet food,
a beer festival, a spoken word stage, outdoor music cinema, camping and glamping.
Homes target
PLANNING officers have been told by Maidstone councillors to look again at the number of houses proposed for development in the area in its draft local plan. Borough councillor NickDeWig- gondene said the request follows the latest challenge to the local plan by the Maidstone area committee of the Kent Association of Local Councils (Kalc). Parish councillor JohnHorne said
Kalc’s report suggests a target as low as 10,000 homes between 2011 and 2031 would be a more reason- able number than the council’s pro- posed 18,560 figure. Kalc also believes the steep rise in
development in the area, from the late 1990s until 2007, had not fully been taken into account.
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