downsmail.co.uk
24/7 McDonalds bid rejected by planners
AN APPLICATION for a 24-hour McDonald’s fast food outlet in the centre of Maidstone has been re- jected. The drive-through franchise in
The Broadway had applied to ex- tend its 18 hours of business daily. Maidstone Borough Council’s planning officers suggested a six- month trial of the all-day opening. But the proposal angered resi-
dentswhofeared there would be too much disruption, and problems with noise, smells and litter. The business’s franchisee Ali El
Hajj had promised steps would be taken to minimise disruption and pointed to the 30 extra jobs the ex- tended opening hours would create. But last month, councillors unani- mously rejected plans for the ex- tended opening hours. Planning committee member Cllr
Eddie Powell said: “I was against it because residents are so close by and they shouldn’t be subjected to a 24 hour McDonald’s operation. It is to- tally unfair to local people. “At this time of year, people want
to open their windows and they don’t want to hear people shouting
or slamming cardoors in the middle of the night.” According to reports, one council-
lor said the residents of the nearby Broadway Heights (pictured)were being used as “guinea pigs”. Residents complained they are
often unable to open their windows in the summer months due to the smell of cooking fat from the fryers. They were also disturbed by peo-
ple shouting, loud music and cars being revved late at night.
Many borough councillors have complained that there is a growing litter problem from people throwing bags, drink holders, cartons and sauce sachets from car windows. Most of this litter emanates from
two major fast food outlets. Local litter-pickers have noted a marked increase in fast food litter dumped in the town centre and country lanes, despite attempts to educate customers about responsible waste disposal.
News Knife sentence
A HOMELESS man who stole per- fume from a Maidstone shop, as- saulted a security guard and carried a knife,was jailed for 26weeks. John Sweeney (33) appeared at
Medway Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted theft, criminal damage, possession of a knife, using threat- ening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and racially aggravated common assault. On June 2, Sweeney, of no fixed address, stole four bottles of per- fume worth £182, damaged a secu- rity guard’s phone, and was carrying a knife at a shop in King Street, Maidstone. He also used threatening, abusive
or insulting words or behaviour and assaulted the security guard, which was racially aggravated. Magistrates ordered him to pay a £115 victim surcharge.
Town death
POLICE closed roads in Maidstone following the death of a man. Kent Police were called to Peel
Street at 6.35am on Friday, June 2, after reports expressing concern about a middle-aged man. Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended, but the man – in his 40s – was pro- nounced dead at the scene. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
Kids Summer Club Monday 24th July - Friday 1st September
Sessions at Loose Sports & Community Centre
Call 01622 749404 to book
www.maidstoneymca.org.uk
Charity No: 1110087
Maidstone July 2017
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