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was set by the Conservative ad- ministration as a result of a study by consultant GL Hearn, Cllr Wil- son and her opposition Lib Dems had called for a much lower figure. Cllr Tony Harwood, the LibDem planning spokesman, had earlier said that the target could be re- duced to 10,950 by showing evi- dence that 18,560 was a figure derived from an upward blip in new developments – many on brownfield sites – between 2001 and 2011. Cllr Wilson, who became the
Torieswelcome leader’s u-turn Capital ‘could
protect the open spaces residents hold most dear. It will not be easy. However, the Lib Dems believe it is perfectly possible to achieve this and provide the affordable homes so desperately needed for an ex- panding population.” However, she has now admitted defeat, saying she has failed to bring down the target, which has buoyed the Conservatives. Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, leader
leader of a hung Maidstone Coun- cil in May, told the Downs Mail in the run-up to this year's elections that she would work to reduce the target. She had said: “Maidstone’s peo-
ple put great value on our built her- itage and countryside yet, in the rush to pack in homes, we are wit- nessing accelerating destruction of these wonderful assets – a recipe for disaster when one understands the vital contribution tourism makes to the economic viability of the borough. “We promise to halt this loss and
Petition over
Mote charges APETITION has been launched fol- lowing Maidstone Council’s deci- sion to introduce car parking charges at Mote Park. The decision means the council
could raise £171,000 every year to- wards the upkeep of the park, which receives about a million visitors a year and has been voted the second best park in Britain. Visitors will be charged £1 for up
to six hours or £12 for longer, but the charges will not apply before 10am, to allow joggers and dogwalkers to enjoy the park from 8am. Council leader Cllr Fran Wilson opposed the charges, saying they might encourage visitors to park in neighbouring streets. Other members were concerned
the charges could be the “thin end of thewedge” and increase over time. The council wants to ensure the
park retains its Green Flag status and wants to improve the park. It would also like to appoint a perma- nent parks officer. Cllr John Perry said he believed
the imposition of modest parking charges would help the park retain its status as a visitor attraction. Resident Bianca May began the petition opposing the charges, which attracted more than 750 signatures in the first five days.
12 Maidstone East August 2015
of the Conservative group and Cllr Wilson's predecessor as leader of the council, said: “It is tonic to my ears that your group are now be- hind the objectively assessed need – the figure which you have queried for so long. The local plan was put in jeopardy because of the delays being caused by people playing politics. “It is a vital document that we
have to work on. You have played politics for so long so I am pleased you are back onside saying 'let's work together'. “To say we must work more closely together is strange whenwe did that anyway.” CllrWilson responded in the full council meeting by arguing that the
previous cabinet system, reverting to committees in May, meant that the Conservatives were in control of the process and her group had no significant influence. She added: “We have practically
used every brownfield site.We be- lieve that there is little room for ma- noeuvre to up our figures in High Streetward. “This is not an argument about
town versus rural – this is a night- mare for all of us. If anyone can come up with a solution about where we can put the homes then we will have to do so. “We will do all we can to find brownfield sites but I think we are on quite a sticky wicket.” Cllr Harwood had told the Downs Mail in March 2014: “We were successful in delivering re- generation in sustainable locations and a good yield of affordable housing in the first decade of the millennium. “However, thiswas clearly a blip
and must not set a precedent for the future. Our greenfield sites and villages are not up for grabs in the way that derelict urban siteswere.”
Discounts for park visitors
The Mote Park Fellowship, with Maidstone Council employees, receiving the Green Flag Award in 2014.
A MEMBERSHIP scheme has been launched for supporters ofMote Park, offering benefits and discounts to regular visitors. The Mote Park Fellowship is the
group of volunteers that maintains the park with Maidstone Council. Its new website –
www.motepark-
fellowship.org.uk – offers information on the park’s history, wildlife and
New president
of Inner Wheel FRANCES McGill, pictured far right, is the new president of the Inner Wheel Club of Maidstone. The Inner Wheel Club will continue to work hard this year to raise money for local charities. Pictured with Frances is the new vice-president, Anne Goodliffe and past president Sue Kinsman.
events, and invites visitors to join the group. For a £20 annual fee, used to sup-
port projects in the park,members re- ceive discounts including 20% off prices in the café, 10% off in the restaurant at Mote House, 50% off courses at the lake watersports cen- tre and free tickets for events throughout the year.
THE Conservative group says it feels vindicated by Cllr FranWilson's decision to endorse the 18,560 housing target between 2011 and 2031. In the two years since the figure
add pressure’ Continued from page one Cllr Harwood said: “There is a
strong actual and perceived rela- tionship with the borough and the capital. Our proximity just outside the Metropolitan Green Belt brings dangers, and there will be pressure to use Maidstone as a dormitory for an expanding city. “The local plan is dictated by
others outside Maidstone – it may be central Government and other authorities. “If we do not move quickly and
get a plan in place with policies we will be very vulnerable for housing figures even more unsus- tainable than the figures we have now.”
Plan target:
spring 2017 A COUNCIL spokesman said: “In the coming weeks officers will be presenting reports to the strategic planning sustainability and transport committee ahead of a four-week public consulta- tion in the autumn on key pol- icy and site changes. “Thereafter, the whole plan
will be pulled back together, picking up previously agreed and ‘banked’ sites and policies aswell as those that are the sub- ject of the autumn consultation. “The revised ‘publication’
version of the plan will then go for a further stage of consulta- tion focused on its soundness, (during February/March) before it is submitted to the Secretary of State in late spring 2016. “The recognised timescales post-submission suggest ap- proximately 12 further months until adoption (to allow for ex- amination by an inspector) sug- gesting adoption could be in the spring of 2017.”
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