News


Park and ride idea defeated


PEOPLE power has won the day for the folk of Linton and south Maidstone. Following a high-profile cam-


paign to “Keep Linton Green”, Maidstone Council has kicked out a proposal to build a large park and ride facility near Linton crossroads. Residents opposed to the plan claimed that the idea would not ad- dress current traffic issues in the area and merely create a blot on the landscape. The park and ride idea had been included in the draft local plan, which is about to go out to public consultation for the second time. But Maidstone Council’s strate-


gic planning committee removed the proposal from the new draft, along with a scheme to extend the site in Sittingbourne Road. The committeewas told the facil-


ity would have had “such a nega- tive impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, particularly from the lighting


A campaign banner in Linton


which would be situated at the crest of the scarp slope which lies within the proposed Greensand Ridge Area of Local Landscape Value as to outweigh the transport benefits." Ron Leagas, who spearheaded


the KLG campaign, said: “It was apparent from the start that no- body in the areawanted this facility and that is was unlikely to resolve current transport issues.” As well as making several protests outside the Town Hall, members of Keep Linton Green wrote to all parliamentary candi- dates before the general election in May, seeking their support.


For more local news go to www.downsmail.co.uk


Services we offer: Maidstone


• A vibrant Day Care Service in seven locations throughout the Borough in partnership with Golding Homes and the PCT


• If required, transport can be provided to the Day Care facilities on our fleet of mini-buses


• Community Foot Care Services in the home or at our nearest clinic.


• Community Bathing Service in the home for Maidstone & Malling


• Independent Living Support for those that need help with their housework, garden or shopping


• Volunteering opportunities • Advocacy Service for Maidstone & Malling • Disability Travel Vouchers on behalf of Maidstone Borough Council


• Computer Classes for the over 60’s • A list of local traders that have been recommended to us by older people


• Wheelchair Hire from our office in the town centre • The Goodman Centre for clients with Dementia • Information & advice for over 50’s in our office in Mill Street.


For more information on all our services, please feel free to contact us at: 7, Mill Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME15 6XW Between the hours of 10am-4pm Monday – Thursday, 10am-2pm Friday Or telephone us on 01622 753618 Or email: info@ageukmaidstone.org.uk Or visit our website: www.ageuk/maidstone.org.uk


4 Maidstone Town October 2015 Continued from page one


councillor, I cannot remember a planning objection from KCC, with the exception of Kig.


“Unfortunately, their objections are not supported by any change in policy or evidence. It would appear to be just part of their ongoing issue with our local plan and an attempt to make life difficult. They are still arguing that our figures are wrong – but have yet to produce any evi- dence.”


Maidstone Council claims it needs to provide 18,560 new homes in the


downsmail.co.uk KCC planning objections


borough by 2031 to meet future need.


But KCC leader Paul Carter, who


lives in Langley, one of the areas under threat from development, has always maintained the borough’s figures are too high and believes 16,257 would be adequate. Cllr English said: “I anticipate this is just the start of a whole series of objections from KCC on highways grounds, both on Loose Road and the Sutton Road. The move is to be welcomed but the motives are ques- tionable.”


Policy ‘won’t change the past’


IN its capacity as the highways au- thority, KCC is asked for its views on all planning applications which come before the borough. Previous policy has been to raise no objections. Were it to raise objections, Maid- stone Council would be in a stronger position to defend unwanted devel- opments at appeal. In December last year, KCC raised


no objection to an application from Millwood Designer Homes to build 36 houses and re-align Cripple Street in Loose, an application later turned down by Maidstone Council, which is now the subject of an appeal. In a letter to planners, KCC strate- gic transport and development plan-


ner Peter Rosevear wrote: “KCC has concluded that there is little scope for physical capacity improvements to the A229 Loose Road/Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junction.” Instead, the S106 contribution of £3,000 per dwelling would go to- wards “strategic improvements to the A229 corridor from the A229/A274 junction to the Bridges Gyratory”. KCC raised no objection to Langley


Park, under construction off Sutton Road, or to Wards Field at Boughton Lane, now the subject of an appeal. According to Cllr Clark, KCC has said it cannot change its comment on retrospective applications but will adopt the new policy for the future.


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