downsmail.co.uk
Now we can look to future MailMarks
WEhave amuch better idea of how Maid-
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 oppositionwas to the total number of
new houses and, in many cases, their pro- posed locations. To stand a chance of approval by an inspector, appointed by a Government desperate for massive housing growth, the total had to be evidence-based. Initially, the evidence suggested more than
19,000 in the period up to 2031, much to the dismay of just about everyone in Maidstone. Subsequently, this was 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 now be built in the borough – but that still leaves a massive 1,000 or so a year.
Many will be built in an expanded urban
area of Maidstone. But the villages of Staple- hurst Marden, Headcorn, Lenham and Harri- etsham will all become larger rural centres, which will bring a mixture of opportunities
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 aend
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 lile 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 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.
30 Maidstone East February 2017
DENNISFOWLE President
dfowle2011@aol.com
and problems. The Lenham area has been identified by
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 serv- ices already available. The inspector agrees, but suggests development should be delayed to beyond 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 council sees about 1,300 houses there – the in- spector ismore cautious, suggesting about 500 in the Local Plan period. It seems the business park between the A20
and M20 west of Hollingbourne will 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 the main, the inspector is vindicating their work and soon Maidstone will have an approved Local Plan to ensurewe are in greater control of our des- tiny.
His binding final report is still ahead of us – and I hear KCC is very unhappy about some
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 leer
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, where around 18,000 houses are planned by 2031. Imust 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. MBC is building right up to its boundary
with Tonbridge and Malling, near the Sir Thomas Wya pub. The resulting extra traffic will not make
the problem beer. MBC should 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 boleneck with a major hospital within its length. Why did no one see it coming?
of his initial views. But I think the signals are clear.
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.
If you have any historical bearing you
might promote the reinstatement of the Sir Thomas Wya 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. But neither do I have any “other special interest” in the relevant item relating to the Ramblin’ Man concert and the chairman could not think of a single reason for me having to leave the meeting. He did relent and say that I could stay,
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