News
Concern over Barty scheme
A PLANNING application for 100 houses on land at Barty Farm was due to be heard by Maidstone Borough Council’s planning com- mittee as the Downs Mail went to press. The council has received dozens of
letters opposing the application and a representative of the Bearsted and Thurnham Society has asked to speak against the item, which is rec- ommended for approval. A spokesman for the society said:
“This development would cause un- told damage to residents of Bearsted and Thurnham in terms of the envi- ronment, traffic volume and hazard, school places and other services.” The outline application is for 43 four-bedroom houses, 25 three-bed- room houses and two two-bedroom houses, plus a further 30 units of so- cial housing: 10 three-bedroom houses, nine two-bedroom houses and three four-bedroom houses. Water Lane resident Dr Felicity Simpson said: “The addition of 100 houses to Bearsted and Thurnham, would be the final straw that de- stroyed the environment and the quality of life of residents, thereby
destroying the community spirit.” Cllr Jenny Whittle, Kent County Councilmemberfor Maidstone East, said: “The proposed access is cur- rently an unmade track, in keeping with the rural setting. To create a road with pavements, as well as to demolish thewall by Barty House, a listed building, would destroy the rural surroundings.” She added: “I cannot think of a
more dangerous place for an access to a significant number of properties. Emergency access would be via Water Lane, a totally inappropriate route without footpaths that is regu- larly hit by flooding and often im- passable for pedestrians.” Officers argue that while the pro-
posed development does not con- form with Policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Boroughwide Local Plan of 2000, it is at a sustainable location, adjoining the existing urban bound- ary.
Their report to committee states
that, given the current absence of ad five-year housing supply, “the low adverse impacts of the development are not considered to significantly outweigh its benefits”.
Hi Kent Shop The local registered charity for deaf and hard of hearing people 67b Week Street, Maidstone
(next to the United Reformed Church) Can you hear the TV?
Visit the Hi Kent Shop for expert advice and equipment that can make
Problems hearing on the phone? Missing callers at the front door? We can help!
Problems hearing on the phone? Missing callers at the front door? We can help!
Can you hear the TV? FRESHLY a huge difference to living with a hearing loss
PLUS Free drop-in battery service for NHS hearing aids (brown NHS battery record book required)
Visit the Hi Kent Shop for expert advice and equipment that can make
a huge difference to living with a hearing loss
Shop open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
Memberships start at just £85 per adult
£40 for children under 16 Tel: 01795 880441 ~
keely@swattwood.com Practical help for deaf and hard of hearing people 10 Maidstone East May 2016
www.countrysports.co
RESTOCKED WITH SILVER
FISH THIS YEAR!!
downsmail.co.uk KIMS ‘misleading patients’
MAIDSTONE’s newest hospital – the Kent Institute ofMedicine and Surgery (KIMS) at Bearsted – has been criticised formisleading patients. It has also been accused of putting patients’ safety at risk and boasting
of services it can’t provide. KIMS’ chief executive Simon
Jameswas brought in last year to get the £85m hospital back on track, following the departure of hospital director Jayne Cassidy. Inspectors fromthe Care Quality Commission found in September that the hospital had a “lack of robust governance” andwas notwell led. The report, published last month, found the hospital requiring improvement overall. The hospital admitted 771 inpatients, 1,812 day patients and carried
out 2,486 operations between April 2014 and March 2015. More than a quarterwere NHS funded.
Post office plan Proms tribute
MAIDSTONE’S main Post Office could become part of newsagents WHSmith. Post Office management is consid-
ering a move to the retail chain’s Week Street store. Similar moves in Kent proved controversial butmany customerswelcomed it. Post Office users are being con-
sulted on the plan which would see five serving hatches and three self- service positions in the store. The consultation ends on June 1. Submissions can be made to com-
ments@postoffice.co.uk or call 03457 223344.
THE Proms in the Park 2016 will feature a tribute to “Mr Music of Maidstone” JeffreyVaughan Mar- tin, who died recently, aged 78. The event at the Whatman Mil- lennium River Park on May 28, will celebrate the enormous con- tribution Jeffrey made to local music. A Maidstone Borough Council spokesman said: “We haven’t worked out what form it will take, but there will be a fitting tribute to Jeffrey and his legacy. He gave so much.” See obituary, page 39
MAJORS LAKES FISHING SYNDICATE A beautiful Lake set in a 5 acre woodland
Stocked with Carp up to 25lb plus
Tench, Roach, Perch, Barbel & Chub
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64