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Call for halt to our Local Plan


MAIDSTONE MP Helen Whately has called on the local government secretary of state Sajid Javid to halt the Local Plan. The Local Plan, which proposes


17,000newhomes and has been pro- nounced "sound" by a government inspector, is set to be put before the planning committee for approval on September 27. Mrs Whately is concerned the plan


– which sets out development policy for the next 15 years – will harm at- tractions like Leeds Castle and leave villages like Lenham, Harrietsham and Headcorn unable to cope with the extra numbers. But the MP for Faversham and


Mid Kentwaswarned shewas play- ing a "high risk" game as the com- munities and local government secretary Mr Javid could easily in- crease the housing allocation and leave the borough at the mercy of speculative applications. On Leeds Castle Mrs Whately


wrote: “The specific issue is the in- clusion in the plan of an industrial employment site at Woodcut Farm, a rural location near to junction 8 of the M20, and on the approach to the


castle… Developing this site would have far-reaching ramifications for the countryside and heritage assets.” Mrs Whately is worried the Local


Plan does not include sufficient in- vestment in roads. She said: “Many thousands of houses are being built in this area, without meaningful development of roads (or any alternative to car trans- port) – when congestion is already affecting the ability of residents to travel to and from work or access services in and around Maidstone.” MBC's Cllr Clive English, chair-


man of the planning committee, warned Mrs Whately her appeal to Mr Javidwas "high risk". He added: "Calling in the Local


Plan will not necessarily mean there will be a reduction in housing num- bers - it could go the otherway. "The delays caused mean devel-


opers would slip any number of ap- plications through as we would not have an emerging Local Plan." County councillor Gary Cooke


said, if the plan is called in, an inte- grated transport strategy should be included, especially for a relief road.


Hunt for serial arsonist


KENT Police have released this grainy image of a man they believe may be connected to nine arson attacks in the Tovil area. This council CCTV footage shows


the suspect they would like to speak and hope his “general gait” will be familiar to someone close to him. In other footage, the man is


seen trying car door handles. Vehicles parked in Old Tovil Road


and LaunderWay, Tovil, as well as cars in Florence Road, Maidstone, have all been targeted. Offences have taken place between June 30 and August 18, 2017. He gets in to vehicles, which may


been left insecure, before typically starting fires inside. In some instances, fires have


caused serious damage, including to personal property left inside the


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vehicles. No items have been reported stolen by victims. Kent Police has been carrying


out a number of enquiries including house-to-house checks and forensic analysis of the crime scenes. The image appears to show a


white man, wearing light trousers, a blue jacket and possible black boots.


Maidstone Chief Inspector Mick


Gardner said: “Whilst the CCTV image may not show a huge amount of detail, we are hoping it may possibly jog some memories. “It was captured in Hayle Road,


shortly before a number of fires were reported in Tovil on August 18.”


Anyone with information should


call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 18-0145.


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