News


Trip in jeopardy BEARSTED Royal British Legion will needmore bookings if a trip to France in June is to take place. The day trip will take in Mailly


News


Wood cemetery, Thiepval and Al- bert. The cost is £55 per person and includes ameal. Spokesman Derek Davison said:


“I have had a reasonable response but still needmanymore people to fill a coach, so please think about joining us.” If you are interested, call Mr Davison on 01622 880650.


Anotherincursion at Larkfield park


TRAVELLERS have moved back onto a popular park in Larkfield for the second time in six months. The families - in five caravans -


Parking plea DESPITE previous appeals for res- idents not to park on grass verges, Boxley Parish Council says this is still continuing in certain parts of the parish. Some verges have almost become


mud baths and the aesthetic ap- pearance of the area is being spoiled, says the council.


Coffeemorning BEARSTED Methodist Church, in Ware Street, is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, February 3, between 10.15amand 11.30am. There will be bric-a-brac, cake


and book stalls with proceeds going to charity.


pulled on to Gighill Green in Lunsford Lane on Sunday October ,, releasing dogs on the popular public open space and setting up washing lines within hours. It is un- derstood the fami- lies in- volv ed have been offering tree felling services to residents in the area. Parish council chairman David Thornewell says more has to be done to stop the travelling com- munity running circles around the police and local councils. He says the job ofmoving on trav-


ellers for a second time will run into thousands of pounds The last inci- dent, in early summer, costing the parish council £1,200, with the trav-


downsmail.co.uk


Speculation rife over plan for valley homes


downsmail.co.uk


A SOCIAL housing provider has sought to play down increasing speculation a hugely controversial plan for 5,000 affordable homes in the Otham valley is on the table oncemore. Aso-called “garden suburb”was


threatened some years ago but failed to make it into Maidstone’s Local Plan. But now the Government has


forced an additional 7,000 homes on top of the borough’s 17,600 housing allocation, fears are growing that such a development could now be revisited. Golding Homes denied it has


held any recent meetings with Maidstone BoroughCouncil (MBC) but has not ruled out that the plan could be put forward as part of the scheduled reviewof the Local Plan, due by 2021. Golding Homes chief executive


ellers simply moving on to take up temporary residence elsewhere in the area. He said: “They just seem to be


doing the rounds. These incidents have affectedWest Malling, forcing the closure of the village hall, and Leybourne, and now they are back in Larkfield. The police told resi- dents that this was a civil trespass when they reported it and that they couldn’t do anything and obviously the council offices were closed be- cause it was the weekend. These travellers know and play the sys- tem.” The council’s legal team served an eviction notice but it took aweek to enforce. Cllr Thornewell held talks with Laddingford Engineering in an effort to increase security further on the public land, near the M20. Valdemar Kalinin (pictured), of


GaryClark said: “The SEMaidstone Garden Suburb we originally pro- posed was not included in MBC’s Local Plan, and since itwas adopted


the National Gypsy-Traveller-Roma Council said recently that local councils must provide designated traveller sites or “tolerated zone” which gypsy convoys can move onto. He said: “It comes down to racial prejudice against this com- munity.”


stone BoroughCouncil has recently adopted its Local Plan and is there- fore not currently deciding on fresh options for future growth. “The council has a target date of


April 2021 for completing a Local Plan review and this may need to address...a review of housing and other needs. “The strategy for accommodating


‘Spooktacular’ at the farm Otham: potential site for new homes


we have had no further discussions with the council regarding this scheme, nor are any meetings planned. “That is not to say, though, that


should it be consideredwithin a re- view of the Local Plan, we would not revisit the scheme again.” AnMBCspokesman said: “Maid-


MAKE the most of the October half-term holiday at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park’s Halloween Spooktacular in Maidstone. Brave kids are invited to the vintage village to knock on doors and


growth to meet housing and other needs would be contained within the Local Plan review,whichwould be supported by a robust evidence base and be subject to various stages of public consultation.” As well as the Otham valley site,


discover who – or what – is lurking behind them from October 21-31. The award-winning attraction at Sandling, near Maidstone, has a few


other tricks up its sleeve to turn its usual exhibits into frightening farmhouses and horrifying homes. Youngsters can try pumpkin carving, dressing up and the Ugly Bug Ball. On October 25, there will be more spooky goings-on with Kent Life


5-6pm and, for older visitors, from 7-8pm. If you would like to know more about any of the above, call 01622 763936.


large tracts of land around Lenham are being earmarked for large-scale development, as isDetling. A borough council source told


After Dark, This event includes a spine-chilling tour suitable for under-eights from


Downs Mail: “Otham valley is one of the better alternatives we’ve got, if we have to accept the extra 7,000 homes, and would give us the wherewithal to build a Leeds-Lan- gley relief road.Clearly, this can’t be allowed to driftmuch longer.”


WINDOWS & DOORS REQUIRING T.L.C? DON’T REPLACE THEM MAINTAIN THEM!


MAINTAINING YOUR EXISTING WINDOWS & DOORS IS CONSIDERABLY MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN REPLACING. UPGRADING TO ENERGY EFFICIENT BFRC A & B RATED GLASS WILL HELP SAVE YOU MONEY ON BILLS.


Fairdeal are local specialists in the repair, upgrade and maintenance of double glazed windows and doors.


We repair PVCu, Aluminium & Timber


 





Fogged double glazed glass units - replaced with energy rated glass


Handles & mechanisms repaired & replaced


Window and door hinges and stays


 Leak and draught repairs “


Celebrating over 25 years of continuous trading


We were pleased with the work Fairdeal Windows previously carried out on our porch, so we went back to them for windows. We are very pleased with the windows and the installers. We couldn't fault the work they carried out plus they left everything clean and tidy. Thanks to all the staff too.


We supply & install windows, doors & conservatories including UPVC fascias, soffits & guttering


” Call 01622 902005


FOR FAST FRIENDLY QUOTES & ADVICE www.fairdealwindows.co.uk


Find us at: Unit K, Orchard Business Centre, 20/20 Industrial Estate, Aylesford, Kent ME16 0JZ


Follow us on


6 6 Maidstone East February 2018 Malling October 2017 Maidstone Weald October 2017 Maidstone East February 2018 7 7 Mr H. - Snodland


 


Local Authority Approved NO Call out charge with Free Quotations & Advice


downsmail.co.uk News


New Year - Better vision


Do you want to make your dream spectacles more affordable?


Do you want the most thorough eye examination to protect your vision and eye health without breaking the bank?


     


  





The Buchanan Optometrists VisionCare Plan makes this possible.


   Yes       


You may assume all opticians are the same, and most are. But Buchanan Optometrists are very different. As one of the elite Optometry practices in the UK, the eye examinations, spectacles and





      


 


Buchanan Optometrists are only of the highest quality. Looking after your eyes is essential to your enjoyment of life, this is why Alisdair Buchanan of


   lenses that  you   


         


     


         





           


         


receive   from


        


  


          


    





         


             


   


   


    


        


  


  


    





 


       


            


     


 


          


x uncomfort 


fo   


             


Buchanan Optometrists has created the new VisionCare Plan. The VisionCare Plan ensures you are looking after your eyesight while giving you even more      you sign up, you get 15% discount on your spectacles and any other products       comprehensive


      


   


           


   


 


    


        


     


 


            


            


   


       


           


         


spectacles and a host of other add-ons. The VisionCare Plan also allows you to spread the cost of your eye care for up to 2 years, giving you that freedom and      you have always dreamed of. Included in your membership of the VisionCare Plan you will receive the ultimate ophthalmic examination - the best way to look after your eyesight. Your sight is the most important sense, without it, you would not have the same quality of life. That is why it is so important


                 


  insurance   


     


           


   


on your 


       


   Don’t delay - Book your appointment today


              


                             


       


  


Unique Li mited Time Offer Ends 31st October 2017


Unique Limited Time Offer 20% OFF


    


       


   


Call Now - 01622 535110 56 Malling Road, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5NB


Guarantee your 20%r 20% discount, Call Now 01622 535115


                     





                    


      


       


   


 


    


 


   


 


          


         





      


 


     


           


    





  


 20% OFF 


         


    


        


 


 


 





     





 


   


  


     





 





  


How to fix uncomfortable or slipping glasses 


downsmail.co.uk


Business Focus


to have continued ongoing in-depth monitoring of the health of your eyes using the latest scanning techniques carried out at Buchanan Optometrists.


If you are a contact lens wearer you can gain additional savings on your contact lenses and aftercare, including  50/50 durable contact lens cover. It is  Buchanan Optometrists VisionCare Plan if you enrol your whole family      increase dramatically. The Buchanan Optometrists VisionCare Plan is the newest way for you to care for your sight while you enjoy a wealth of savings. The VisionCare Plan is unique to Buchanan Optometrists and is designed to look after you. You only get one set of eyes. Look after them properly.


              


 


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