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CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline BowderyASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU
Tel: 01634 861237 email:
clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website:
www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website Waitrose traffic fears
A PLAN to build a Waitrose su- permarket on part of the park and ride site at Eclipse Park was un- veiled in a pre-planning applica- tion briefing given to the parish council’s environment committee. Representatives of the Gallagher
Group and DHA planning consul- tancy outlined the proposed £14million scheme that would see a 29,000sqft store developed on land to the north of the new Next shop close to junction 7 of the M20. The meeting provided an opportu- nity for councillors andmembers of the public to ask questions and make comments on the proposals. Nick Yandle, Gallagher’s chief ex-
ecutive, said that Maidstone had long been a key target forWaitrose. “The investment in a newWaitrose is a sign of confidence in the bor- ough. It will reinforce junction 7’s importance as a gateway to the Maidstone economy and will at- tract further investment and em- ployment at Eclipse Park.” He envisaged 200 new full and part- time positions being created. The new single-storey building,
more than twice the size of the ex- isting Waitrose at Allington Park
which the retailer will retain, would have a simple and contem- porary design featuring locally sourced Kentish ragstone, in keep- ing with the surrounding retail and commercial units. Construction traffic would use the M20 and no new highways work would be needed. Mr Yandlewent on to say that the
car park would have 300 spaces with free parking for two hours and with access from either the Chiltern Hundreds roundabout or the new junction between the Hilton and Next. Although it is ex- pected that most customers will travel by car, a bus service will be provided by ArrivaMaidstone-Sit- tingbourne routes 333 and 334 call- ing at new stops on Bearsted Road. It is hoped that buses may run right up to the store at a later date but Arriva were not prepared to pro- vide such a service at present. Most of the concerns expressed at
the meeting by councillors and members of the public related to additional traffic. Mr Yandle said that no serious problem was ex- pected. Any extra traffic would be spread throughout the day and the
Grants to community groups
existing concentration of vehicles accessing and leaving the park and ride at peak traffic times would dis- appear. A transport assessment scope had been agreed with KCC and Highways England. Other matters raised were possible light pollution and impact on the land- scape. The chairman of the environment committee, Wendy Hinder, thanked Mr Yandle for his detailed presentation and reminded mem- bers of the public that no decision will be made by the parish council until it receives the formal planning application and plans from the bor- ough council and is asked for its views. It will then be discussed in open meeting. The scheme is likely to be formally submitted to Maid- stone Council in
late
February/early March. If approved, building could start in late 2016 with the store opening early in 2018.
Further information and the op- portunity for residents to express their views can be found at
www.waitrosemaidstone.co.uk and/or comments may be sent to the parish council.
Meeting on Kims idea
AT the parish council environ- ment committee on Monday, February 8 there will be a pres- entation and discussion regard- ing a proposal for a new unit at the Kims Campus in Newnham Court, off M20 Junction 7. Due to local interest the meet-
ing has now been scheduled for St John’s School, Provender Way, Grove Green at 7pm.
Path blocked
RESIDENTS have raised concerns about the blocked path leading from WingroveDrive to Tesco. The path has been blocked off by
Tesco while it is arranging repairs after recent accidents. KCC, the parish council and borough Cllr Wendy Hinderwere in contact with Tesco. It was hoped that the issue will be resolved fairly soon.
Trust wood
KENT Wildlife Trust has started producing local, ecologically friendly wood products including firewood, available to buy at Tyland Barn, Tyland Lane, Sandling.
Council freezes precept
THE parish council agreed its budget and set its 2016/2017 pre- cept at £98,481, which is identical to that for 2015/16, despite a re- duction in the local council tax support the parish council receives from the Government. The finance and general pur-
poses committee had recom- mended no increase to the precept
THE parish council has again supported local organisations, with a grant of up to £2,000 towards the legal costs for Vinters Valley Trust to convert to a Community Incorporated Organisation; Sandling Village Hall (en- trance, pictured) has been awarded up to £3,000 to replace its floor and £160 for a Samsung tablet to be used by the Beechen Hall Age Concern Group. The parish council has a grants budget for village halls and other bodies.
Details of who is eligible to apply and the relevant form to do so are on the parish website. The parish office also helps such organisations locate and apply for external funding. Parish council chairman Cllr Ivor Davies said: “Because of the financial
cuts, local organisations are finding grants harder to obtain. The parish council’s continuing support in this way is therefore vital.”
28 Maidstone East February 2016 Queen clean
MANY residents will be aware of this national project to clear up lit- ter in time for the Queen’s 90th birthday on April 20. The Keep Britain Tidy group has more de- tails on itswebsite. The parish council would be in- terested to hear from any residents who are thinking of becoming in- volved by adopting or helping clear a road or local area that has rubbish that isn’t collected or reached by a normal litter pick.
as it concluded that the parish charge could be maintained at the same level by meeting the shortfall from reserves, boosted by a fore- cast underspend in the 2015/16 budget mainly because of project deferment. Details of the agreed budget will
be posted on the parish council’s website in February/March.
Lynn joins
LYNN Clarke, a resident of Box- ley village, has been co-opted on to the parish council to fill the va- cancy left by the late Alan Springate. The appointment will last only until May when elec- tions will be held for the whole parish council. Anyone contemplating stand-
ing for election but unsure of what being a councillor entails should contact the Boxley Parish Council office or visit thewebsite.
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