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Town’s big migration growth MailMarks


WOULD we in Maidstone be


prepared towelcome some of the desperate, homeless Syrian refugee families to join our community? From conversations I think the answer is YES. Wouldwe be prepared to continue to accommodate the current level of immigrants from the EU and the rest of the world? I think that answer is NO. Prime Minister David Cameron says


that over the next five years, the UK will accommodate 20,000 Syrian refugees before they set out on treacherous journeys to Europe – and Maidstone will be expected to play a part. As a young journalist I saw this happening in Gillingham in the 1950s when Hungarianswere fleeing Russian intrusions. These familieswerewarmly welcomed to Britain and quickly integrated in to our towns and cities. I think this will happen for the Syrians, especially if the Government helps financially by re-directing overseas aid. “Migration indicators in Kent” (dated February, 2015) can be found online and makes fascinating reading. The two-way flow of internal (UK) and international migrants is high, with Maidstone second only to Canterbury for net migrants in the year 2012/13. The Maidstone net figure is about 1,500, with a higher proportion of international than internal migrants. There is a strong flow of in and out


movements among international immigrants and the net growth for Maidstone for the years between 2001/02 to 2012/13 is: 100, 100, 300, 400, 600, 1,100, 900, 600, 700, 300, 200, 500. This amounts to an international net growth over 12


Who is running council?


Dear Sir – Who is actually “running” Maidstone Council – the officers or the members? Two council meetingswere necessary to determine the debacle over wording that identified M20 Junction 8 as a development location in the economic development strategy report. The fact that this discussion took place


before theWaterside Park planning inspector’s decisionwas made known, frankly, brings the governance of Maidstone Council into disrepute. The discussionwas pey and a completewaste of time, but it did highlight that there appears to be a hidden agenda being promoted, which will not subside until the members take back control and follow instructions from the electorate. The net result of the current mismanagement of Maidstone Council will result in furtherwaste of resources and will give a clear sign to those whowant to invest in Maidstone that Maidstone Council is not


Contact our team ...


Stephen Eighteen Editor stephen@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 231


30 Maidstone South October 2015 Diane Nicholls


Assistant editor diane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 232


Jane Shotliff Journalist


jane@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


Dawn Kingsford


Journalist dawn@downsmail.co.uk 01622 734735 ext 233


DENNISFOWLE President dfowle2011@aol.com


years of 5,800. Immigrants, with very few exceptions,


have seled happily in our town and many help provide vital services, especially in the NHS. They need housing, education, health


and other services and the pressures are very evident in our rapidly growing and busy borough. Increasingly the natives are restless – and protests grow. There are signs international migration


will increase and currently the Government seems unable to stop the flow. It has now developed into the biggest political issue of our time. It will stay thatway into the UK vote on continued membership of the EU. Unless there arewatertight changes to control immigration to a level the population accepts, I cannot now see a vote in favour of continued membership. I hopewe stay in – but it must be on termswe find acceptable. There will no fooling the public on this big issue.


On the ball 


THERE are encouraging signs that Maidstone Rugby Club will be establishing their own ground in Maidstone with support from a friendly landowner. This will vacate land they lease/licence at The Mote and open the door for The


fit for purpose. It is understood thatWaterside Park is


likely to rear its ugly head again. The last time this happened the officers gave the developers the green light which ended up at an appeal – where they did not appear in person to give evidence to support the members’ decision to oppose the development. I have been informed by Alison Broom,


chief executive of Maidstone Council, that there is no hidden agenda, but when junction 8 is discussed, I amnot convinced. I get the impression that someone is pulling the strings for development at this location. Maidstone is part of Kent where there


needs to be joined-up thinking, rather than believing that the borough should act in isolation.


Consultants’ plans specifically prepared to highlight “landscapes of local value”, ie areas of the countryside that should be carefully considered for the benefit of future generations,were presented recently at another long-winded session of Maidstone Council. This exercise appears to have been


Mote Cricket Club to achieve their aim to develop and improve this magnificent but tired site to create a multi-sport and community centre of excellence. It is a massive challenge for both clubs,


but with determined and enlightened political support from Maidstone Council it will ensure the sporting scene and reputation of Maidstone will improve immeasurably.





Victory dig GALLAGHERS had to battle for eight


years for the right to double quarrying land off Hermitage Lane, Barming.Nowa huge tunnel links two 80-acre areas and vital aggregates continue to flow for building work in Maid- stone and the South East. I havewatched Gallaghers restore land


as quarrying ends and am confident this area will continue to improve for public and nature.


a completewaste of time because on the following day the council, guided by officers, supported the principle of industrial development at junction 8, specifically Woodcut Farm (part of the former KIG site). Is this part of a hidden agenda that is still


being promoted, despite the constant objections and appeal decisions against any development at junction 8? If the memberswant to cover the countryside in concrete, why don’t they just say so? Or is it the officers, advised by their consultants, who have not updated their reports to reflect what is actually going to happen in adjoining district council areas, who are pushing for this development without proper consideration? Robert Sinclair, by email


Council must save Kig site


Dear Sir – Maidstone Council recently made a verywelcome and fully justified decision to designate the countryside to the east of Maidstone as “Landscape of Local


Comment


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