News
1,300 more homes for Suon Road
THREE large housing develop- ments are likely to proceed at Lan- gley, despite grave reservations about the effect another 1,300 homes will have on the area. Two of the plans were passed on
July 14, while another, subject to ap- peal to the secretary of state, was also given approval status. Before the meeting, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) came in for criticism over its alleged attempt to get planning approval on matters in the borough’s local plan whichwere yet to be considered by a govern- ment inspector. Ukip councillor Eddie Powell, a member of the planning committee and opponent of the schemes, said: “I realise there has to be some devel- opment, but this is not the place.” Kent County Councillor Gary
Cooke hopes all three will be called in by the secretary of state. He added: “They have voted to destroy what little quality of life is left in Maidstone south east.” Cllr Paul Aplin, of Otham Parish Council, claimed putting the scheme through a planning committee be- fore the government inspection might be interpreted as “a cynical
move”. He warned if the housing schemes do go forward, the Sutton Rd and surrounding roads will be gridlocked at peak times. Traffic is already backing up to
Sutton Valence, said Cllr Paulina Stockell, and Horseshoe Lane at Langley is barely two metres wide and unable to cope with extra vehi- cles.
The council argued the houses
were part of a wider house-building programme in line with government policy. It had commissioned its own traffic consultants, who said local junctions were over-capacity, but claimed measures proposed by the developers would mitigate this. Whenthe council’s planning com-
mittee reconvened on July 14, its members approved the three appli- cations, totalling more than 1,300 houses on sites off the A274. They relate to land at Bicknor
Farm for 270 homes and for more than 1,000 houses on land south of Sutton Road and an area north of Bicknor Road. The Bicknor Farm land is already under appeal to the secretary of state but the planning committee voted to approve it any- way.
Thomas’ cookies a hit
MAIDSTONE cookie producer Thomas Redgrove (pictured) says he is happy to be serving his gourmet goods in his home town. Thomas, who set up Thomas Cookie Co in ParkWood, is one of a
range of producers taking part in the town’s farmers’ market. The monthly market brings together everything from soaps to sausages, and fudge to fruit and veg in the centre of town. Thomas said: “I’ve often thought that Jubilee Square would be a
perfect spot for a farmers’ market and that is proving to be the case.” The market is run by Maidstone Borough Council in association with
the Kent Farmers’ Market Association. It takes place from 10am to 2pm on the fourth Friday of every month.
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