News
Tree faces axe A PLANNING application has been submitted to fell a protected mature beech tree at Alexandra Hospital, Impton Lane, Walder- slade. A supporting statement claims a fungus is fruiting close to its base, and if the tree's condition deterio- rates it is within falling distance of both the hospital entrance road and car park.
Maidstone Council will decide.
Rugby cup tour RUGBY fans will be able to view the sport’sWebb Ellis Cup in Maid- stone in September. Rugby’s greatest prize will visit County Hall on Thursday, Septem- ber 3 as part of a national tour, be- fore arriving at Twickenham stadium on September 18 ahead of the world cup opening ceremony. Full details will be released shortly.
Ducting fire FIREFIGHTERS were called to reports of a fire in ventilation ducts at a commercial property in Dick- ley Lane, Lenham. Crews tackled the fire using equipment including a fog spike and thermal imaging cameras, extinguishing the blaze with a hose reel jet. The cause is un- known.
downsmail.co.uk
Medical estate ‘would need road and bridge’
ASPINE road and bridge would be required to serve a newmedical es- tate next to the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (Kims) at Newnham Court, Weavering ac- cording to the applicant. In April 2014, Maidstone Council granted planning permission for 98,000sqm of additional floorspace, near M20 Junction 7, for a project called the Maidstone Medical Cam- pus, a rehabilitation centre. The plan includes hospital, educa- tion and training facilities aswell as
retail and business use and accom- modation for patients and staff. An expected university campus
will now be sited in Tunbridge Wells, but business backer Franz Dickmann says the other elements of the scheme should go ahead as planned in the next couple of years. The project,nowcalled Kent Med-
ical Campus, has submitted a plan- ning application to build the bridge and road over a stream off Newn- ham Court Way in advance of the development.
MAIDSTONECouncil has refused a planning application to replace 27 concrete garages with five homes be- hind the Samaritans' office at 48 Gre- cian Street, Maidstone. In March 2012, the planning com-
The entrance to the garages
mittee overruled officers and turned down a plan for six homes on the site, citing scale and proximity to properties in Waterlow Road, and poor amenity for residents. Despite the reduction in the size of
Trust hopes youth work will mean a Safer Kent
THE Kent People’s Trust has been re-born – and relaunched under a new name: Safer Kent. The charity, which has given more
than £800,000 in grants to various or- ganisations in the county since its in- ception in 2000, works with individuals and organisations to provide everything from youth clubs, security advice, mentoring programmes and drug rehabilitation to help for victims of domestic abuse. The projects all help prevent crime
and reduce anti-social behaviour in local communities. Based in Maidstone, the trust
works with young people who are on the verge of exclusion from school, offering them social and sporting opportunities and mentor- ing to put them back on the straight and narrow. Among those helpedwas Malling
School pupil 16-year old Joe Shand, from Wouldham, who spoke at the re-launch. He told how he was bullied at
school and struggling at home, where he has a disabled sister. He was facing exclusion from
school when he was placed on the scheme and given a placement with MaidstoneUnited Football Club.
14 Maidstone East August 2015 He said: “After just the first ses-
sion, I felt that someone believed in me. The coacheswere amazing.” Joe,whohas just taken his GCSEs,
has helped coach the disabled youth team and has now been offered a place at the club’s youth academy in September. He said: “The scheme has helped
keepmein school and helpedmeat home. It has changed my life.” Safer Kent director Bryn Price
said: “This project aims to give young people renewed confidence and focus and a reason to stay out of trouble.” Other projects supported by Safer
Kent include the Maidstone Stree Pastors, providing funds to help
Safer Kent trustee Laura Cox with Joe Shand and director Bryn Price
them supply night time revellers with bottledwater, thermal blankets and flip flops, and KCC’s Licence to Kill project, which teaches year 12 and 13 pupils about the dangers of reckless driving. More than 10,000 pupils will see
the presentation this year. KCC’s Carol Cullen told the meeting: “It’s the most impactive projectwe have ever been involved in.”
The rebranding has been carried
out to give groups and organisa- tions a better idea of the ethos be- hind the trust. Mr Price said: “We believe our
newname will better describe what the trust is doing.”
Asupporting statement said: “The proposed access and internal road layout has been designed to ensure that it is capable of upgrading, should development be proposed and approved at a later date. “The proposal would involve cre-
ation of hard-surfacing for the ac- cess. However, this aspect of the proposal would not detract from the character of the wider area. “The openness of the land will be maintained and there would be no adverse impact on the strategic gap.”
Homes scheme turned down
the scheme by one home, the com- mittee felt the problems remained. MrBradford, a local objector, said:
“Parking is a disaster . Getting rid of 27 garages will make it even worse.” Cllr Martin Cox, a member of the committee,was concerned that there would be only a single parking space per dwelling.A motion to re- fuse the scheme was accepted, with seven votes for, one against and four abstentions.
Driving ban
A SHEPWAY motorist has been banned from driving for three years for a string of offences in the town.
Mark Hindlewas in a Ford Focus
when police saw him driving dan- gerously in Cumberland Avenue and Northumberland Road. At first, Hindle failed to stop. He
then gave a breath test of 52mg of alcohol in 100ml, when the legal limit is 35. He was also found to have no insurance andwas driving while disqualified. The 34-year-old, from Oxford Gardens, admitted the offences. Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court or- dered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, to pay £235 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
House agreed
MAIDSTONE borough Cllr Daphne Parvin, who represents North Downs, has been given plan- ning permission for a four-bed- room home in the rear garden of her home at 49 Meadow Walk, Maidstone. Concerns were raised by three neighbours – all living in MoteAv- enue – about loss of privacy and views, overshadowing, impact on trees and visual impact. However, Maidstone Council's planning committee approved after hearing planning officers state that the development would not have a negative impact on the area.
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