News
New Line field plan cancelled
A PLAN for 220 homes on a school’s playing fields in Maid- stone has been scrapped. Ward Homes wanted to put the houses in the grounds of the New Line Learning Academy in Boughton Lane, prompting opposi- tion from residents in Loose. A campaignwas launched by the
North Loose Residents’ Association, backed by Maidstone Borough Council, which turned down the Ward Homes application. But the developers appealed and
a planning inquirywas set for Octo- ber. Its representatives this week formally dropped the application. The final straw had been the council describing the plan as “un- sound” and that Kent County Council were to oppose any appeal because of traffic congestion in Loose Road. The NLRA said on its website: “Excellent news. We have been in- formed by DHA Planning, consult- ants forWard Homes, that they have formally withdrawn their appeal. “This is in light of the recent changes in circumstances regarding
the allocation of the site. “The planning examiner for the Maidstone Local Plan removed the two site allocations in Boughton Lane as being unsound. “We had a very small team of ded-
icated peoplewhohad a huge learn- ing curve andwhoworked long and hard over a three year period. “Wewere verywell supported by
the rest of theNLRAcommittee and also by our members, who helped with traffic counts and turned up in big numbers to the inquiry .” NLRAchairman Sean Carter said:
“We keep the pressure on. We will be doing a traffic survey from 6am to8pmon Monday,April 24, with 42 volunteers looking at Loose Road, Cripple Street and Boughton Lane. “KCC is the owner of the acad-
emy’s land andWard Homes has in- vested a lot of money in a planning application, an appeal and winning a further appeal sowe are under no illusions that thewar is won. “We realise homes have to be
built somewhere but the New Line Learning Academy and Boughton Lanewere never the places.”
Mums’ charity needs help
A CHARITY that offers advice and support to new mums is in need of help itself. Dropping in for a tour of the Princess Project, Maidstone, and the
Weald MP Helen Grant heard fromchief executive Emma Tanner (pictured left) about how plans to expand the service need funding first. Mrs Grant – amum of two boys – said: “The Princess Project is a very
important organisation, providing essential support to new mums at a time of great excitement but also, for some, a time of uncertainty. “As amother, I know how important it is to be able to meet supportive
people who can relate to your situation. The good people of Maidstone have been extremely generous in donating equipment for the charity, but the project now needs funding for a part-time support worker.” The Princess Project operates from the United Reformed Church in
Week Street and Christ Church in ParkWood, providing services such as mentoring, parenting courses and coffee mornings. Mrs Grant joined a session to chat with young mums who explained
the vital assistance the charity provides to them as they deal with the emotional and physical challenges that come with being a new mum.
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14 Maidstone May 2017
downsmail.co.uk
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