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Homes agreed on disputed site
MAIDSTONECouncil has granted planning permission for 420homes on a site in Allington that it had fought to protect at an appeal just weeks earlier. A year ago the planning commit-
tee refused Croudace Homes’ appli- cation for 500 homes east of Hermitage Lane because develop- ment of the southern “hospital field” would have required the cre- ation of a link road that would have eroded ancient woodland, known locally as bluebell wood. In June, planning officers de- fended the council's decision to a planning inspector after the appli- cant appealed. This decision is ex- pected in October, but now the planning committee has approved a smaller scheme, for 420 homes, be- cause the southern field would re- main untouched. However, a separate application
for 80 homes on the contentious field is undetermined. The council received 196 objec-
tions. Angela Poletti, from the New Allington Action Group, said the applicantwas “playing the system” by lodging two separate applica- tions after originally being turned down. “It is quite clear that Croudace is running rings around the planning system,” she said.
New CEO at
Leeds Castle SIR David Steel is the new chief ex- ecutive of Leeds Castle. He takes on
the day-to-day running of the castle following the departure of VictoriaWal- lace and seven months with estate director Bill Lash as in- terim CEO. Niall Dickson, chairman of the
Sir David Steel
Leeds Castle Foundation, said: “Admiral Steel has had a stellar ca- reer and brings a wealth of experi- ence, including responsibility for the major heritage site at Portsmouth, which contains HMS Victory.” Admiral Steel has moved to Kent from Portsmouth.
“This would open the door to the scheme for 80 homes.” Cllr Roger Levett, ofTestonParish Council, said: “The additional traf- fic will place a great burden on the already overloaded A26 between Teston andWateringbury – particu- larly during rush-hour.” Cllr Dan Daley urged the com-
mittee to put a decision on hold until the inspector had made a deci- sion. He said: “This developer has waited 20 years to get this far – they can afford towait for about another six weeks to see what the Secretary of State has to say.” However, the land (minus the hospital field) had been earmarked in the council's emerging local plan for housing, so the committee's powers to refusewere limited. Concern was expressed about a
lack of open space on the site, but of- ficers felt a developer contribution of £71,820 towards the Keswick Drive Play areawas sufficient. Other contributions included £570,000 for improvements at the A20/Coldharbour roundabout and £168,000 for pedestrian and traffic movements at the A26 Tonbridge Road/Fountain Lane junction. The committee voted for the scheme with six members in favour and four against.
Upgrade for HE centre
STUDENTS at MidKent College will have state-of-the-art facilities when the college’s Higher Educa- tion Centre opens in Oakwood Park, Maidstone this autumn. The centre will be home to higher-level courses in construc- tion, engineering, teacher training and education, business and IT. Access courses will prepare re- turners for degree-level studies and the college will also offer pro- fessional qualifications in account- ancy, personnel development and leadership and management. The £19m investment in the cen-
tre is the second phase of the wider redevelopment of MidKent College’s Maidstone campus, which has cost nearly £40m in all. The building being redeveloped
was formerly the University for the Creative Arts (UCA).
Supper club for children
PARENTS who bring their children along to aweekly supper club can enjoy a glass of wine while their children eat. The club is held at the Heart of Flavour café bar in King Street, Maidstone, from 4pm to 6pm every Friday. It costs £6.50 per child for a three-course meal, or £5.50 without the parent’s drink. Pro- ceeds go to the Heart of Kent Hospice.
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