downsmail.co.uk


News Woodcut Farm appeal opposed


Aplanning inquiry into the Woodcut Farm development, off junction 8 of the M20, inched closer after councillors rejected a bid by Maidstone Council officers to let the scheme go through unimpeded.


Officers claim the authority should not contest the appeal by Roxhill Developments because the council cannot win and the exercise will prove costly. But, in spite of the borough’s di-


rector of planning and develop- ment, Richard Timms, making four recommendations to withdraw from the fray, councillors on Maid- stone’s planning committee voted by a margin of 8-5, to back the coun- cil’s decision to refuse permission for the 47,000sqm business park through to appeal. Ukip's EddiePowell said: "I'm de- lighted about it.We can't just throw in the towel. Last year, myvotewas the casting vote in a 7-6 margin to reject this plan, but this was much more emphatic." The case is now to be sent to a planning referral committee for fur- ther consideration. MP Helen Whately had previ- ously voiced concerns about the de-


Crash injuries


POLICE say a lorry and a Range Roverwere involved in an accident at Staplehurst, in which two people were hurt. Traffic queued as firefighters worked to help the driver and a passenger of a long goods vehicle – one taken to an awaiting ambu- lance on a spinal longboard stretcher. Crew members from three fire engines then used heavy rescue equipment to stabilise the vehicle. The accident happened at the Headcorn Crossroads on the Mar- den Road at 6.15am.


Hug for church THE ancient tradition of “Clypping the church” brought smiles to the congregation at Headcorn’s St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church. Based on the old English word clyppan, to embrace, the congrega- tion encircled the church to “give the building a hug” during the Mothering Sunday service. Aspokesman said: “This seemed


a greatway to say thank you to our mothers and the mother church.”


999 fall alert MEDICAL staff from the air ambu- lance base inMarden dashed by car to a nearby emergency on April 27. They joined land ambulance service SECAmb in treating the pa- tient, who had suffered a stomach injury in a fall. Hewas taken to hospital by road


after the alarm was raised at 12.12pm.


against development at junction 8 included in Maidstone’s Local Plan, so we don’t have to keep going through this.” Denis Spooner (pictured), chair-


man of the Bearsted & Thurnham Society,was “absolutely delighted” by the planning committee’s deci- sion, but fears that ultimately the borough council will “cave in”. He added: “It was the right deci-


sion and I amabsolutely delighted. But, if you’re asking me if I think there will be a development at Woodcut Farm in five years from now, then I fear there is a strong likelihood there will be.” Cllr Matt Boughton, speaking for


velopment and urged councillors to “stick to their guns in rejecting the plan”. She said: "Protecting this beautiful


part of the countryside – in the shadow of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and close to Leeds


Castle, from a completely inappro- priate development is the right de- cision." She urged the council’s planning referrals committee to respect the majority view, adding: “What we really need is strong defences


the 11 Conservative councillorswho voted to continue the fight, said: “Despite officers’ recommendations not to fight the appeal, Conserva- tives received cross-party support to overturn this.This decision is clearly in line with local residents, council- lors, businesses and our MP.”


Minister listens to farming concerns


RURAL affairs secretary of state Andrea Leadsom has listened to local farmers about their concerns for the future outside the EU. She was invited by MP Helen


Whateley, who chairs the Parliamentary Group for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers and is campaigning for a permit scheme to allow seasonal agricultural workers to come to the UK temporarily to work on farms. Mrs Leadsom said: “Horticulture


is central tomy ambition of freeing up farmers to grow more, sell more and export more and I look forward to working with Helen and Kent’s farmers to achieve this.” MrsWhately says the horticulture industry needs thousands of seasonal workers every year to pick and pack produce. But with low unemployment locally, and only about 800 jobseekers, farmers say they are reliant on workers from overseas –mainly EU countries.


Many have already seen a fall in numbers of applications for fruit- picking jobs, and are anticipating bigger recruitment challenges once the UK leaves the EU. MrsWhately and Mrs Leadsom


visited WB Chambers and Son, a large fruit farm in Sutton Valence, where discussion focused on concerns about access to labour, rising costs, the importance of investing in research and


development, and getting the right balance on pesticides. MrsWhateley said: “Our famous


fruit and hop farms shape the local countryside and make it the Garden of England we love. Farmers – and their workers –make a vital contribution to the local economy, and at a national level, I’m proud Kent produces an important share of the country’s supply of fruit.”


Police cash to help ex-service staff


CASH raised from the sale of items seized by Kent Police will be used to help former soldiers suffering from addiction and mental health issues. The Invicta Project will be launched later this year by the Kenward Trust at Yalding. The £500 donation will buy paint to decorate facilities for the


project, tailored to meet the needs of ex-service personnel who find themselves battling with addictions, often com- pounded by complications such as post-traumatic stress disorder or relationship breakdown. Superintendent Phil Hibben, deputy divisional commander for West Kent, said: “The Ken-


ward Trust continues to provide a hugely important service to some of the most vulnerable peo- ple within our communities and the launch of the Invicta Project will hopefully make it easier for those from a military back- ground to get the appropriate support and assistance they clearly deserve.”


Maidstone Weald May 2017 19


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