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News Waterside Park plan
Continued from page one Cllr Tony Harwood said: “I am
very flattered that my evidence to theWatersidePark inquiry has been singled-out in thisway, but a num- ber of other witnesses including CPRE, Leeds Castle, KCC and the local MP also provided compelling arguments against permitting such a massive and unsustainable green- field development proposal.” In parallel to the High Court chal-
lenge, Mr Yandle said the company had “dissected the inspector’s deci- sion” to come up with a replace- ment scheme that “mitigates or totally addresses” the issues raised. Hesaid: “The inspector didn’t say
the scheme was without merit and in her view the harm outweighed the benefits. By dealing with issues such as the height of the roofline and the change of topography we feel we can reach a situation where the benefits outweigh the perceived harm.” Mr Yandle confirmed Gallagher’s
had already held talks with Maid- stone Council about a smaller de- veloped footprint, covering 12 instead of 30 acres, which would allow the company to deliver60%of the original project, but with an80% reduction in the amount of sand
that would need to be removed, by leaving the highest part of the site untouched. He said: “We are challenging the inspector’s decision on principle while pursuing a more constructive approach with Maidstone Council, which says in its emerging local plan that there needs to be develop- ment at junction 8.” The council has designated nearby land, at Woodcut Farm, north of the A20, forwarehouses in its draft local plan. Roxhillwants to erect 47,752sqm of industrial build- ings on this land, which is on part of the site of the Kent International Gateway freight interchange pro- posal refused on appeal in 2010. Mr Yandle said: “Even with Kig
land allocated for development in the local plan, without the Water- side Park development or a slightly smaller development here, an extra 4,000 people will be without work or will need to travel out of the area to find it if the council builds the 18,600 houses it hopes to without addressing the employment issue. “If something smaller and more palatable is acceptable then we would drop any further expensive wrangling.” The company has a 25- year option on the land.
Grant brings news to the blind
MAIDSTONE-based British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) is delivering the latest technology to enable the blind and partially- sighted to access news and information, thanks to a grant of £47,500 from the Freemasons’ Grand Charity. BWBF transforms the lives of visually-impaired people across the UK by providing adapted radios and audio players. This grant will enable it to provide a further 110 users with the latest digital Sonata Plus units, helping to alleviate the isolation and boredom experienced by many people who have lost their sight. BWBF projectmanager David
Beard said: “Grants such as this are essential for us, as they enable us to continue our work against social isolation.” Freemasons visited the fund’s Maidstone headquarters to make the donation and were able to meet BWBF volunteers and see exactly how the radios benefits users.
David Beard and fundraising manager Frances Fielding
TRAFFIC safety campaigners are looking at the possibility of switch- ing the busy Linton traffic lights for a roundabout. Tired of seeing red with lengthy tailbacks at the Linton crossroads, residents believe a solution must be found to ease the flow of traffic on the A229. Campaigner Ron Leagas, who successfully led the fight against the Linton Park and Ride, is asking locals for their views before ap- proaching KCC Highways.
Roundabout plan for junction He said: “Hopefully the park
and ride has been put to bed, but we're left with the problem of traf- fic jams in all directions approach- ing Linton crossroads.” “I have heard many people sug-
gest a roundabout instead of traf- fic lights. Apart from an unlikely underpass, I can't think of a better solution.” Anyone with strong feelings
about the subject is asked to get in touch with Mr Leagas on ellislea-
gas@gmail.com.
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