News
Open space cut in homes plan
OPEN space on a development of 40 houses in Coxheath is to be halved, Maidstone Council’s plan- ning committee has decided. An application previously pro-
posed 1.48 hectares of open space – in compliance with the Coxheath Neighbourhood Plan and Maid- stone’s draft local plan – as part of the scheme in Linden Farm,west of Stockett Lane. But the committee has now ac-
cepted a reduction to 0.6 hectares to finance 30% affordable housing on the development. John Hughes, of Coxheath Parish Council, estimated an open space shortfall of 15 hectares in the vil- lage. He said: “Substantially reduc- ing the amount of recreation land made available will undermine the community’s plans to provide a range of much-needed community facilities in the best location next to the village hall. “Already 128 units of affordable housing have been provided or are in the pipeline: 38 in Avante, 46 in Clockhouse Farm, 44 in Heathfield. This is in addition to the significant
number that already exists in Cox- heath. This compares with the 2012 local needs affordable housing sur- vey which identified a potential need for 25 to 30 houses.” Cllr John Perry, a member of the committee, said: “The whole point of neighbourhood plans is that the residents and parish councils work with developers and local councils. We had a good proposal in accor- dance with the neighbourhood plan and the local plan, but it has now been thrown out.” However, committee member
Cllr Tony Harwood said: “The ap- plicant is already delivering more open space than the policy dictates and we are getting close to the amount of affordable housing we would expect. “If we are looking for another couple of acres of mown grass, what difference does it make? It won’t help us save the country- side.” The committee felt therewere no
policy grounds for refusal so ap- proved the scheme by virtue of eight votes for and four against.
Mayor Cllr Daniel Moriarty with the Dogs Trust team at the new shop Dogs Trust shop opens
TAILS were wagging when Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare char- ity, unveiled its new donation centre and charity shop in Maidstone. Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Daniel Moriarty cut the ribbon to declare the
shop open while another VIP–avery important pooch - fromDogs Trust Canterbury greeted shoppers with plenty of licks in return for a scratch be- hind the ear. MichelleWooding, manager of Dogs Trust Maidstone donation centre
and charity shop, said: “We are very excited to set up shop here and have been overwhelmed by the support of the local community. This is our first donation centre and it will be a vital tool in helping us to store and collect donations of all shapes and sizes for our 21 charity shops across the UK.” “We had a successful first weekend with many items sold, and are now
in need of more donations to keep our shelves full. We stock everything and anything, frombooks and clothes to ornaments and household items. We also offer a free collection service for larger items.” Anyone with items to donate to the shop can drop them into Dogs Trust Maidstone Donation Centre, Farleigh Hill Retail Park, Farleigh Hill from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Alterna- tively, call them on 01622 755800 or email maid-
stone.shop@
dogstrust.org.uk to make arrangements for collections of furniture, clothes, bric a brac and electrical items.
downsmail.co.uk
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