Tighter rules for school entry


CONCERNS over proposals to revise the admissions pol- icy for Leybourne St Peter and St Paul CE Primary School were raised at the parish council meeting. Councillors noted the criteria had been tightened and


the subject of children having to be active members of the church to attend the school was discussed at length. The issue of siblings living outside the parish having priority over non-baptised children who live within the boundary was also raised. Cllr Emma Buchan, wife of the Vicar, the RevMatthew Buchan, said the revised policy was supposed to centre admissions on people who are at the heart of church life and stressed the church’s participation in the community. Further issueswere raised about traffic movements and parents bringing in children by car from other parishes. Subject to consultation, admissions in September will


be covered by the new policy. It was agreed not to vote on the subject, leaving members to respond to the con- sultation in a personal capacity.


Paper investment may benefit Continued from page one


safe.” People had great affection for the company which was very much part of Snodland. For the foreseeable fu- ture, it would continue to provide jobs and be part of the community, said Cllr Moloney. Smurfit plans to replace two existing machines with a five-metre lightweight modern one which it bought from the liquidator of an Italian firm in 2010, and which it says will significantly improve its cost competitiveness and ef- ficiency. The total cost of acquisition, re-build and instal- lation of the machine is budgeted at around 115 million euros spread over the next three years. On completion in 2014, the facility will have a capacity


of 260,000 tonnes, resulting in an increase of around 20,000 tonnes over three years. The expansion is required “to meet the growing needs of the group’s large UK and Irish corru- gated system and in particular the growing demand for lower weight, high performance packaging papers”.


Arrests in drugs raid


Optician Alistair Buchanan


POLICE seized drugs with a street value of more than £250,000 and made two arrests during a dawn raid on a house in Ditton. Officers also recovered a large quantity of


cash as well as suspected stolen jewellery at the property off Coldharbour Lane. RSPCA officers were also present at the


raid, and five birds and three dogs were seized on welfare grounds. Two men were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply. A 30-year-old man was bailed until May 5, pending further inquiries, and a 17-year-old from West Malling was given a youth repri- mand. The drugs haul included cocaine, skunk


Awards in his sight


ASNODLANDoptometrist is in line for recognition in the Na- tional Optician Awards. Buchanan Optometrists is


theonlypractice inKent listed for two awards – Premium Lens Practice and Vision for Life – and the only practice in the county tohavebeenshort- listed for awards every year since 2008. The practice was founded


by former Maidstone Gram- mar School pupil Alisdair Buchanan 12 years ago. The award winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 14.


and amphetamine. Police Insp Nicholas Sparkes, who co-or- dinated the raid, said: “This area does not have a drugs problem. However, what has been identified is the potential for drugs and the associated crime to become an issue, if it is left unchallenged. “This activity has been put in place to stop


the class A drugs network taking hold. Where we receive intelligence about drug- dealing, we will act upon it swiftly.”


Live music plan rejected A LARGE country house in Teston has again been blocked from hosting live music. In July 2010,Maidstone Council refused to


relax a planning restriction forbidding the performance of music in the sprawling grounds of Barham Court on seven occasions per year.


Applicant Benjamin Latrobe Ltd’s recent application for music three times a year was again turned down. The council claimed it would cause unacceptable disturbance to nearby residents.


4 Malling


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