News
Waterside Park appeal rejected
THE High Court has thrown out proposals to build an industrial estate on land south of the M20 near Junction 8. After last year’s public inquiry, in
which planning inspector Katie Peerless upheld Maidstone Coun- cil’s decisions to reject Gallagher Properties’ twoWaterside Park ap- plications, the company appealed. However, High Court Judge Jus-
tice Collins upheld the council’s de- cisions. Craig Howell-Williams, representng Gallagher, said being near the motorway made the site suitable for warehouses, despite one of the prospective occupants, ADL, finding alternative premises for its relocation from Marden. Bearsted and Thurnham Soci-
ety’s Mary Richards said: “It is par- ticularly heartening to see that when MBC councillors have the courage to reject planning applica- tions that their officers wish them to grant, and when that decision is appealed, the planning inspec- torate supports it. “When that decision is subject to judicial review and the High Court
upholds it, it shows that coura- geous decisions can win the day.” In his summing up, the judge mentioned the large amount of op- position to the applications. Mrs Richards said: “The inspec-
tor hearing the Kent International Gateway appeal several years ago also commented on the volume of public opposition, so it is clearly worthwhile for the community to make its views known in large numbers in situations of this kind.” The judge ordered Gallaghers to
pay £9,290 costs. The company had 21 days to decide if it wished to issue a further appeal. Mid Kent MP Helen Whately
said: “I have opposed this develop- ment since I was elected [in May 2015] – speaking against itwasmy first official engagement. “We need successful businesses
and jobs in Kent, but Junction 8 – so close to Leeds Castle and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natu- ral Beauty – is not the right place. “Development around Junction 8
will affect the landscape and par- ticularly the AONB.”
A BURGLAR who left his DNA on spades used to break into his vic- tims’ homes has been jailed for two years and three months. Nathan Norman (30), formerly of
Ewell Avenue, West Malling stole thousands of pounds of jewellery and electrical items after using the tool to force his way in through the patio doors of a property. He pleaded guilty to two counts
of burglary at Maidstone Crown Court. The court heard how the house
containing the jewellery and electri- cal items, in the Police Station Road area of West Malling, was broken into by Norman on February 25, 2015. The victim returned to find the property ransacked, with drawers pulled
out and items strewn across the floor in many of the rooms. Norman had also attempted to break into a house in the Barming area
of Maidstone in October 2014 but had been unable to force his way in through the back door. On both occasions stolen spades had been left discarded in the back
gardens of the affected properties, providing forensic evidence linking Nor- man to the offences. Speaking of the victims, Detective Constable Neil Buckle said: “Nathan Norman demonstrated scant regard for theirwelfarewhen he selfishly tar- geted their homes and on one occasion rifled through valuables he had no right to be anywhere near. “The DNA found on the spades he used proved he was involved in both
offences, and I ampleased he is off the streets and behind bars where he can cause no further harm to law-abiding members of the public.”
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downsmail.co.uk Spade raider sent to jail
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