News Solar scheme
SOLAR panels are going up on Harrietsham Village Hall, which could prove to be a money-spinner for the village. The Harrietsham project gained
most votes out of projects in the re- gion competing for a Marks & Spencer Energy Award and re- ceived £12,500 towards the scheme. A further £60,000 from Maid-
stone Council and £5,000 fromKCC Cllr Jenny Whittle’s members’ grant has allowed the hall to up- grade its bar and facilities and in- stall the 40-panel solar system. The panels could generate up to £50,000 over their lifespan. The hall has gone from near- bankruptcy a year ago to being a much-used village amenity.
Concert date
A CONCERT of popular classical music will raise money for Heart of Kent Hospice at Invicta Grammar School on February 27, 2016. The Heart of Kent Orchestra, con- ducted by Thomas Shelburn, will present well-known pieces includ- ing the James Bond piano concerto, the Frank Sinatra piano concerto and the Serpent concerto. Tickets for the concert, which
starts at 7.30pm, are £12 (£8 for chil- dren). Go to
www.hokh.org, call 01622 790195 or email fundrais-
ing@hokh.co.uk.
downsmail.co.uk
Sheltered flats plan to replace offices
A PLAN to demolish offices on a prominent site in the centre of Maidstone to make way for a “contemporary” apartment block for the elderly has been received by Maidstone Council. The proposal for 28 one- and two-bedroom self-contained flats at Chaucer House – on the corner of Priory Road and Knightrider Street – suggests a three- or, possibly, four- storey L-shape development. Lewis and Hickey, the architect
for applicant McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles, says pro- tected lime trees on the site would need to be grubbed, but the listed 8ft ragstonewall would remain. While recognising the site sits on
a busy junction, close to listed buildings such as All Saints’ C of E School, The College Gateway and parish church, it suggests access via Priory Road would ease congestion and a contemporary style as the most appropriate design for the building. In a report to council planners,
Lewis and Hickey says: “The aim is that the building sits comfortably
An artist’s impression of the proposed flats at Chaucer House
within the confines of the listed wall and relates to the adjacent con- servation area,” adding: “It is our intention that the scheme reflects the key local characteristics in a modern approach that is of its time, avoiding the mistakes of some of the more modern developments that rely rather on a pastiche ap- proach.” More ragstone has been intro-
duced into the scheme following comments from the council’s case officer, who noted: “The site is in a prominent location and adjacent to
the All Saints’ Conservation Area and the quality of the design should be commensurate with this location.” Other materials proposed in-
clude buff bricks, colour insets, a contemporary flat roof and project- ing gable ends. The apartment block would have
21 parking spaces, landscaped grounds, lifts to all floors, a guest room and communal facilities for those aged over 60. The applicant also proposes closing off the cur- rent entrance on Knightrider Street.
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Maidstone East February 2016
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