downsmail.co.uk Former bank
to be sold off NATWEST Bank in High Street, Snodland, which was closed in Jan- uary, is to be sold. The freehold building is being auctioned by Lambert SmithHamp- ton in London on December 7, with a guide price of £195,000. Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch joined Tonbridge and Malling Council, the town coun- cil, the SnodlandPartnership and the chamber of commerce in fighting the closure.
Arguments included the fact that
1,000 homeswere being built at Hol- borough Lakes, Snodland; a bridge was being built over the River Med- way where 1,000 homes were being built at Wouldham and 600 homes were planned for Halling. Tracey Crouch said NatWest had
not taken local issues into account and the way it had communicated was "absolutely appalling".
Chart toppers
SING along and have a dance at Kings Hill WI’s meeting onWednes- day, December 16, when Ray Spiller play past and present hits. The group meets at Kings Hill commu- nity centre on the fourthWednesday of the month at 7.45pm. For details call Tina Patterson on
01732 844721.
News
Residents object to station makeover plan
RESIDENTS have raised concerns about a plan to extend Snodland station’s car park, including dou- bling the current number of park- ing spaces. As a result Snodland Town Council has asked Tonbridge and Malling Council officials to refer the application by Network Rail to the borough’s Area 3 planning committee for consideration. Residents have told the town council that as parking at the sta- tion (pictured) will be charged, commuters will use free spaces op- posite, where residents normally park outside their houses. Commentswere alsomade about
the volume of heavy traffic going to the nearby Smurfit Kappa Townsend Hook paper mill. Itwas feared it would cause additional congestion when the buses and lor- ries were unable to pass due to the narrowness of the roads, which were not built for the current vol- ume of traffic. Afurther complaintwas that pas- sengers in double decker buses would be able to look directly into
the properties opposite, causing a lack of privacy. More than 40 residents registered
their concerns. It was feared that the scheme would turn “a rural sta- tion into a mainline station without the infrastructure” and that it would lead “to greater use and therefore greater parking problems and nuisance from bus fumes and the noise of people waiting for the buses”. The makeover scheme for the
Victorian station, which was built in 1856,was granted listed building consent in September. The project will return the grade II-listed sta- tion to its original state with a ticket office, waiting room and toilet fa- cilities. Remaining original features
will be refurbished and those that have been lost will be reinstated. The improvement plan for the forecourt includes widening the ex- isting site, with the removal of trees and vegetation and the level- ling of the land.Abus interchange, bus stop and shelter would be pro- vided and the car park would be extended to provide 53 parking spaces, compared to the current 19. Borough planning officer Maria Brown said she recognised resi- dents’ concerns, but felt that the proposed increase in car parking could only be beneficial in highway terms. She urged councillors to ap- prove the scheme, saying the im- provements “will enhance existing transport infrastructure, promote sustainable transport and signifi- cantly improve the setting of the listed building and the appearance of the conservation area.” The high speed service to and
from St Pancras began in January this year. Borough councillors were due to
debate the issue after Downs Mail went to press.
CORPUS CHRISTI HALL KENT’S BEST KEPT SECRET
The most beautiful venue for any type of event
WEDDING FAIR - 6TH DEC
Take the opportunity to look around our beautiful new venue. 11am - 4pm
Childrens Christmas Party 20th December 12-3pm - £7 per child
• Visit Father Christmas • Gift • Disco • Activities • Buffet
Limited availability for:
CHRISTMAS PARTIES Selected dates available for tables of 8+ Call for further details
Maidstone’s Exclusive Venue
The Corpus Christi Hall Earl Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1JP
www.corpuschristihall.com
T: 01622 670011 E:
info@christis.co.uk Malling December 2015
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