downsmail.co.uk


Now we can look to future MailMarks 


 WEhave amuch better idea of howMaid-


stone will look in about 15 years now a Gov- ernment inspector has given us an early view of his key decisions after a public inquiry in to our Local Plan. It will be largely as proposed by Maidstone Council, after a long and tortuous period and wide public consultation which brought many prolonged and powerful protests. Most opposition was to the total number of


new houses and, in many cases, their proposed locations. To stand a chance of approval by an inspector, appointed by a Government desper- ate for massive housing growth, the total had to be evidence-based. Initially, the evidence suggested more than


19,000 in theperiodupto 2031,muchto thedis- may of just about everyone in Maidstone. Sub- sequently, thiswas reduced by about 1,000. Now the inspector looks like reducing that


figure by 900 to 17,660, reflecting a 5%over es- timate adjustment by the council. He agreed with some objectors and said about 250 houses should not be built in the Boughton Lane area of Loose because of congestion on local roads. Syngenta site,Yalding, escapes due to flooding. His decisions mean that about 100 houses a


year need not nowbe built in the borough – but that still leaves a massive 1,000 or so a year. Manywill be built in an expandedurban area


of Maidstone. But the villages of Staplehurst Marden, Headcorn, Lenham and Harrietsham will all become larger rural centres,which will bring a mixture of opportunities and problems. The Lenham area has been identified by


Why not bypass the town?


REFERENCE the Leeds-Langley bypass – why stop there? Go all theway, past Coxheath and re-join the M20 somewhere. This may (no, would) upset a lot of people, as would Maidstone with a mono-rail network with sufficient park and rides and no bus lanes. I’ve just found a book of Maidstone 1949,


and a celebration of its town charter. It spoke of an 18-hole golf course and an open-air swimming pool for Mote Park –we didn’t get either of these. David Green, Eddington Close, Maidstone


Rays of light in prison


RECENT reports of prison violence have reminded us that prisons can be very dark and harrowing places. Thankfully this despair has not pervaded all prisons. Iwas privileged to be invited to aend the


carol service at Maidstone Prison. Itwas an enlightening experience which overturned many preconceptions of prison life. Aswewere taken through the countless


locked doors and gates,wewere reminded of the grim reality of being incarcerated behind bars. But once the multi-national, multi-lingual service began, bright rays of light shone throughout the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The choir performed with passion, originality and no lile skill; the inmates in the congregation joined in with gusto and commitment; and Bishop TrevorWillmo gave an inspiring address. Itwas a heart-warming and truly


42 Maidstone February 2017


DENNISFOWLE President dfowle2011@aol.com


many as the best location for bigger expansion because of its powerful road and rail infra- structure (M20, A20, main line to Maidstone, London, Kent coast) and the shops and services already available. The inspector agrees, but sug- gests development should be delayed to be- yond 2021 to allow the village the chance to propose best sites. Now that Maidstone Army barracks are scheduled to close some time between 2019 and 2027, a very significant development area will be available close to the town centre. The coun- cil sees about 1,300 houses there – the inspector is more cautious, suggesting about 500 in the Local Plan period. It seems the business park between the A20


andM20west of Hollingbournewill go ahead, bringing many new jobs. The Local Plan has been a prolonged night-


mare, but it seems the Government has now spoken. Many on Maidstone Council were given a very rough ride, but in themain, the in- spector is vindicating their work and soon Maidstone will have an approved Local Plan to ensurewe are in greater control of our destiny. His binding final report is still ahead of us –


and I hearKCCis very unhappy about some of his initial views. But I think the signals are clear.


memorable service but the bestwas to come. Afterwards,wewere allowed to mingle with the inmates. Itwas a joy to meet so many of these men, all good-humoured, all appreciative of a few words of friendship and all with a remarkably positive perspective on life. Earlier the bishop had reminded us that,


even in the despair of being stuck in prison over Christmas, there is a ray of light. These gentlemen showed that there are indeed some bright lights shining in the dark recesses of Maidstone Prison. Let’s hope these lights continue to shine.


Rob Bird, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Maidstone Central


Leave us in Malling


REGARDING traffic congestion at Hermitage Lane, planning proposals by Tonbridge and Malling would further aggravate these problems. I sent the council a strongly-worded leer


on the subject, but do not expect them to do much about my comments or anyone else's. I think they have an agenda not for changing – a similar agenda to Maidstone, a total of 20,000 houses by 2031. I must address your presumption that


Aylesford and surrounding area should belong to Maidstone. Historically, they have never had anything


to do with Maidstone. It holds few gems thatwe wouldwant to


join, it’s a cultural backwater. MBCis building right up to its boundary


with Tonbridge and Malling, near the Sir ThomasWya pub.


Unhealthy outlook AS a local journalist, I have specialised


on NHS issues, and regular readers will be aware of my recent serious concerns. Sadly, this winter they have come home to roost locally and across the country. We are past a period of attempted patching-


up. Politicians of all parties must now look for permanent solutions, costing big money. We can all see it is not there at present. Gov- ernment is so cash-strapped we now feel the pain in so many directions – the NHS, social care, local government, the armed services, our roads and other infrastructure……. Governments, in the main, cannot create


money – it has to come from us through taxa- tion and businesses. It is easy to say Govern- ment must spend more on this or that but if we do not contribute more now, the national debtwe leave for our children and grandchil- dren will be even more crippling. The NHS and social care are the most emo-


tive end. Oneway or another,we are going to have to pay up – either directly for NHS serv- ices or through increased taxation. It is painful, but the alternative is to watch


our massively-growing and ageing popula- tion, with ever-increasing expectations, suf- fering with reduced quality NHS and social care.


Locally, the current investigation is reduc-


ing the number of hospital beds with more care close to or in our homes. Both seem futile aims in the light of latest events.


The resulting extra traffic will not make


the problem beer.MBCshould look after its own effects of planning in the area. The requirement is a traffic link between M20/A20 and the A26 – easily said, but it would appear not possible on the ground. Hermitage Lane is just that, a lane, now a


bole neck with a major hospital within its length. Why did no one see it coming? If you have any historical bearing you


might promote the reinstatement of the Sir ThomasWya name to the venue which is now called “Beefeater”, surely a brand name, not one recognisable for people trying to locate it? Anyway, I hope the borough council keeps


up pressure against any more development in the area. Peter Royall, via email


Meeting ban a puzzle


THE comments in your newspaper, from the Maidstone Borough Council spokesman to the effect that Iwas not forced to leave the meeting on the Ramblin’ Man Fair music festival by the legal team is correct. But itwas the advice from the legal team


that I had an “other special interest” which caused the chairman, Councillor David Picke, to tell me that I could not speak and must leave the meeting immediately. It should be made quite clear that Iwas


not accused of having a disclosable pecuniary interest. This is important to understand, because many people have assumed that I did have such a financial interest. I do not, and in fairness to the legal team, they did not accuse me of this.


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