News


downsmail.co.uk Community hall idea for station


ANEWcommunity hall, with seat- ing for up to 300 people, could be built on the site of the goods yard at Bearsted Railway Station. The suggestion comes from the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, in its response to Maidstone council’s consultation on the draft local plan. While the site has been allocated


for residential development by 2031, the society says there are other uses which should be considered. Although Bearsted already has


four community halls and Thurn- hamone, only one is capable of seat- ing 150 people in its largest room. “The villages have no hall capable


of staging events for 300 or more people, as the new village hall at Headcorn has. Furthermore, two of


the four halls have very limited car parking. “The goods yard site offers the op- portunity – the only opportunity within the village envelope – to con- struct such a venue with associated car parking. “Serious consideration should be


given to such uses before rushing headlong into housing develop- ment,” it says.


BMG Construction, which cur-


rently occupies the site, has a lease on the land for at least five years, so no development is expected in the near future. However, as and when the site


does become available, the society says no development should be per- mitted without first testing for the risk of subsidence. Although it is many years since


the sitewas last used as a coal yard, more than 60 years ago there were regular occurrences of coal lorries sinking into the ground, as it gave way under theirweight. The subsidencewas caused by for-


mer sand workings, with excavation tunnels extending into the wood- land opposite and alongWare Street.


Should housing be built, the soci-


ety expects it to be of a quality de- sign and stand no higher than the apex of the roof line of the current goods shed. Some years ago, planning permis-


sionwas granted for two four storey blocks of flats to be built oin the site, which would have dominated the landscape. Since then key buildings have


been listed and the site included in an extension of the Bearsted Green Conservation Area. If the site were to be developed,


the society alsowarns that the coun- cil should satisfy itself about the im- pact this would have on Network Rail’s ability to service the track and to prune back trees.


Affordable rent homes finished Roundabout plan for junction


SOCIAL housing provider Golding Homes has completed 10 three- bedroom homes for affordable rent in Harrietsham. The housing association bought the part-completed houses in Tithe


Mews when the previous private developer went into administration last year and the homes have been completed by DCB (Kent). All have allocated parking and gardens and six have conservatories.


The homes received grant funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and have been let to people on Maidstone Council’s housing list in need of a three-bedroom home.


For more local news www.downsmail.co.uk


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 lo- cals for their views before approach-


ing KCC Highways. He said: “Hopefully the park and


ride has been put to bed, but we're left with the problem of traffic jams in all directions approaching Linton crossroads. I have heard many peo- ple suggest a roundabout instead of traffic lights. Apart from an unlikely underpass, I can't think of a better solution.” Anyone with strong feelings about


the subject is asked to contact Mr Leagas on ellisleagas@gmail.com.


26


Maidstone East December 2015


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