News Kims ‘can still


break even’ Continued from page one


20% of the operating theatre capac- ity were used. Since registering with the eRefer-


ral service, whichwent live on Sep- tember 1, there has been a significant increase in the number of active consultants at the hospital and the first CQC inspection, car- ried out in September last year,was extremely positive. Chief executive Simon James concludes: “The company has had a challenging year in performance. This led to the need for significant additional funding and highlighted the need for a more appropriate sustainable capital structure. “With the restructuring in De- cember 2015, the directors are con- fident that the company has sufficient appropriate funding.” Kims took two years to build and


cost more than £100m. It boasts some of the best hi-tech equipment and consultants in the country and has since carried out a number of ground-breaking procedures, in- cluding open heart and keyhole heart surgery. Speaking in October last year, Mr


James said: “I have never seen a healthcare company make money in its first year. It’s a business that has to be resource-led, as you have to recruit staff before you can take in patients.” He believes the hospital can


break even in its third year – still sooner than the accepted norm of five to seven years for a private hos- pital. He said: “It will be hard work,


but it is achievable. We have had great support from the consultants, which is really good.”


Copter search


A POLICE helicopter was called in to help officers looking for three men in connection with a reported burglary at Scragged Oak Road, Hucking. Officers attended the scene and


an area search took place with sup- port from the helicopter, whichwas seen flying low over Detling. Three men were arrested on sus-


picion of burglary and remain in police custody.


Band concert


KENT Police Band will perform at Boxley Church at 7.30pm on Satur- day, April 9. Tickets are £8 adults, £2 children


(first drink and nibbles included) and all funds raised will go to the preservation of the church. For details contact Jackie Saun-


ders on 01622 677121 or Gill Mun- son on 01622 630231.


Formore local news 6


www.downsmail.co.uk Maidstone East April 2016


downsmail.co.uk


Landmark ruling could help reduce congestion


A LANDMARK decision to prevent new housing in south Maidstone could help campaigners stop other unwanted developments.


The Secretary of State for commu-


nities and local government, MP Greg Clark, upheld an inspector’s findings that building should not take place on land in Boughton Lane because of the adverse effect it would have on Loose Road and the congested Swan junction. The decision to refuse on the grounds of road congestionwas the first time that KCC’s highway de- partment, which raised no objection, had been overruled.


Previously, Maid-


stone Council plan- ners had stated it could only refuse on highways grounds if KCC lodged an ob- jection. Sean Carter, pic-


tured, chairman of the North Loose Residents’ Association planning group, said: “This has great implica- tions for the Maidstone local plan and the council should be able to use this to seek constraints against the identified housing need of 18,560.” Mr Clark felt an increase of be-


tween 15% and 30% in traffic flows, in an already-congested area,were a matter for “significant concern”. BDW Trading Ltd, KCC and Fu-


ture Schools Trust, which owns the New Line Learning Academy, in Boughton Lane, wanted to sell part of the school playing fields for de- velopment to raise funds for the ex- pansion of the Five Acre Wood special school, and create an 8.65- hectare playing field on agricultural land for use by NLL students and the community. Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council supported the scheme as it would have gained 95 acres of land for public amenity, but the proposal was contested by North Loose Resi- dents’ Association, Loose Parish Council and Maidstone Council’s landscape and housing officers. Maidstone councillors turned


down the planning application for 220 homes, claiming the access road would destroy ancient woodland and the extra traffic would add to congestion on Loose Road. After a four-day hearing in July, planning inspector John Felgate dismissed an appeal against the decision. His findings have been upheld by


the Secretary of State,whosaid:“On the appellants’ own figures, the likely impact on traffic conditions at the Swan junction would be severe and without effective mitigation, the


impact on the highway network would be unacceptable. “The proposed development


would have a severe adverse impact on the highway network, in terms of congestion and inconvenience to res- idents and other road users, and on the strategic transport planning of the area.” Mr Clark also said the proposed


development “would result in sig- nificant danger to pedestrians, cy- clists and other road users.” He also took into account the emerging North Loose Neighbour- hood Development Plan. While Mr Clark accepted there


was an acute shortage of housing in the area and that a new sports field would be of benefit, he agreed with the inspector that “the benefits of this proposed development are sig- nificantly and demonstrably out- weighed by its adverse impacts”. Mr Carter added: “It’s a bit sad


that it has taken a planning inspec- tor and the Secretary of State – both from outside the area – to quickly and accurately identify the problems we have, while KCC’s highways au- thority and Maidstone Borough Council have failed to see it as a se- rious issue.”


Dawn patrol moves in to cafe base


BRIGHT and early Rotarians in Maidstone are raising their coffee cups to finding a new home. The Rotary Club of Maidstone’s


Dawn Patrol has been meeting at a variety of places since the closure of the Stone Court Hotel, but has now found a new home at the Art Lounge in Market Buildings, Maidstone – and marked the venue with a commemorative plaque. The club meets at 7.30am on Thursdays for fun and fellowship and to help communities, both locally and internationally. If you are interested in the work


Michael Topley, of the Art Lounge, with members of the Dawn Patrol


of the Rotary Club and Dawn Patrol and would like to help with projects, go along to ameeting to meet the


Cornish tale on the stage


THE Detling Players will be presenting Ladies in Lavender at Detling Village Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 14-16. Shows will start at 7.30pm, with an extra matinee performance at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Ladies in Lavender is a romantic tale of two sisters who take care of a talented Polish violinist who is shipwrecked off the coast of Cornwall, causing emotional problems in the household and the village.


Tickets are £12 (£10 concessions) from www.detlingplayers.co.uk or on 07842 169725.


members and find out more, or email presidentMartin Pember on pembermartin1@aol.com.


Pugin outing


THE Ulcombe Friendship Club is going on an outing to Ramsgate on Wednesday, May 25 to visit Augus- tus Pugin's house, The Grange, and his church, St Augustine's. Pugin was an architect who de- signed the Houses of Parliament. The cost will be £24, which includes the coach and entrance fees. If you are interested in attending, call Molly Poulter on 842988 or Pat Davis on 844855.


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