News


Green light for car park


BARTY House nursing home has been given permission to extend its car park by 10 extra spaces. Bearsted Parish Council objected


to the proposal on the grounds it would


eat


into the local countryside. But village


b o r o u g h c o u n c i l l o r Denis Spoon- er,who sits on the author- ity’s planning commi t t e e ,


decided he could not oppose the scheme, especially as carswould be taken off the road outside. He said: “Iwas unable to support


BPC’s objection because I consid- ered the incursion into the country- side would be minimal and would not be seen fromany vantage point. “Against this, the proposalwould


provide 10 extra parking spaces for cars that would otherwise park in the road; provide added conven- ience for staff and visitors to an es- tablishment that is in use 24/7; and generally support a valuable com- munity service.” The application was approved subject to a compre- hensive landscaping and tree- planting scheme.


10%


downsmail.co.uk


M&Splanning to branch outwith retail park site


MARKS & Spencer has confirmed it plans to open a new store in Maidstone. The new outlet will be on Eclipse


Retail Park, stepping into the spot formerly reserved byWaitrose. Charlotte Hall, store manager at


M&S Maidstone, told Downs Mail that the decisionwill create a bigger and better offer for fans of the brand in the town. She added: “We’ve been serving


customers in Maidstone for over a 100 years and we’re really excited about our plans to open a newstore at Eclipse Retail Park.” As part of the move, M&S will


continue to sell clothing and food from its main high street store, but proposes closing its smaller store further downWeek Street. She finished: “The whole team


will stay withM&S and, should the plans go ahead, the new store will also create newjobs. “We’ll make sure we keep the


community updated as plans progress.” NickYandle,managingdirector of developers Gallaghers, said M&S


reduction on donated goods on production of this ad


• The discount is not available in conjunction with any other offer


• This offer is available in the Maidstone furniture shop only until Sat 25th November


were not as good, so I think the re- lief andthepleasure that comeswith M&S coming is huge. I think it’s going to be better. “The rest of the site is allocated –


we’ve got permission for a hotel which hasn’t had a great deal of in- terest, if I’m honest. Having M&S there may be the difference in at- tracting someone to the hotel.We’ve also got permission for offices – but we’re just taking it one stepat a time. “Eclipse Park has a fantastic loca-


had been interested for a while but now a planning application would have to be prepared. He said that the store at J7 of the


M20 would be attractive to out-of- town shoppers. He added: “It’s fantastic. I haven’t


been able to say verymuch for obvi- ous reasons but we’ve been getting emails frompeople disappointed by Waitrose and I’ve been saying to themthat therewere other options. “I think most people will have been thinking those other options


tion – it’s just outside town butmost importantly it is bang on themotor- way junction.We took the trouble to put the infrastructure in very early and then we’ve just taken the view that we’re going to be patient to get the right development. “We’ve had approaches from all


sorts of companies, motor dealer- ships and storage companies but we’ve never felt that they are right for Eclipse Park. “We’d rather wait and get some-


thing that’s good quality rather than just do a deal because a deal can be done. If fulfils our belief in the loca- tion.”


NEW Shopping Outlet Demelza Hospice Care for Children has opened a


new shopping outlet specialising in furniture.


Located at 98 Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RJ (former Royal Mail sorting office) and offering everything from sofas to sideboards, electricals to clothing, we will open 9am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday.


If you live in Maidstone or the surrounding area, we are happy to collect your pre-loved furniture. Please call 01622 427885 to arrange. Your donations will help to raise vital funds needed to support seriously ill children and their families in your local community.


Registered Charity Number 1039651 10 Maidstone East November 2017 www.demelza.org.uk


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