News A20 roadwork


ROADWORKS lasting over seven months have started on theA20. The long-awaited Harrietsham


Highway Improvements Scheme will impose a 30mph limit on vehi- cles using theA20. Otherworkwill include upgrad-


ing the pelican crossing to a toucan crossing at theWest Street junction, buildingwider kerbs to narrowthe carriageway, and to accommodate wider footways.Centre islandswill also be built, and a micro-asphalt surface laid. It is understood that the scheme


has received up to £900,000 from developers’ contributions. KCC said: “Construction will


take up to 30weeks andwill be car- ried out from8amto 5pm.”


Tree festival


THE parish church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Headcorn holds its Christmas Tree Festival from December 7-9. Organisers would like to hear


from people who would like to decorate a 5ft tree. There is a charge of £25 for the tree. Contact Anne Marie


Castle filming


A BOLLYWOOD film has been made in Leeds Castle’s grounds. Themovie, called “GiveMe Love”, was filmed over the summer. Chief executive Sir David Steel,


writing in the Leeds & Broomfield parish magazine, said: “The estate ‘rocked’ to mainly Indian music, and had the chance to see a glimpse of just how a Bollywood movie ismade.”


Festive concert


THEWeald of Kent Rotary is hold- ing a Christmas concert in Head- corn village hall. The event, “A Winter Concert


with a Christmas Theme”, takes place onDecember 8 at 7.30pmand features the Ashford Invicta Singers. Ticket details will follow in due


course. Speeding help


HEADCORN Parish Council has asked for volunteers to help with cutting speeding in the village. Only six people are currently on


the team and organisers say that anyone interested need only spare about two hours amonth. A spokesman said: “Please con-


tact our clerkwith an offer to help, rather than another complaint.” Contact the parish clerk on 01622


892496. 4 Maidstone Weald October 2018 at


amtrustram@btinternet.com for more details.


downsmail.co.uk


Homes scheme brings concern over ‘rat-run’


CONCERNS have been raised about the level of traffic in Coxheath once a new210-unit housing development goes through. The community is set to increase


in size by 25% once all the new homes are built, according to one Maidstone borough councillor. Liberal Democrat councillor


Richard Webb (pictured) warns that the £52.8mscheme on 19 acres at Forstal Lane could send traffic down country roads as village traf- fic continues to build. Housing association Optivo and


developerChartwayGroup say the homeswill include amix of afford- able rent, shared ownership and outrightmarket sale. Outline planning permissionwas


granted by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) in February 2018. The planning application will be


submitted to the council in the au- tumn and construction will start next year and spread over four years, according to a statement. Cllr Webb said: “Coxheath has


taken a large hit in terms of hous- ing in the Local Plan andwillmean a near enough 25% increase in the size of the village. “The problem we are having with this is the road system and I


tor of Chartway Group, said: “De- signed to encourage social interac- tion, the scheme will benefit both newand existing residents of Cox- heath, creating a sense of commu- nity pride and ownership.” The statement does not address


the issue of the increase in vehicles. Liberal Democrat-led MBC


claims that the 17,600 new homes in its Local Plan will be mitigated by the concept of “modal shift”. Modal shift encourages people to


and others are very concerned about the construction traffic and when the newresidentsmove in.” He is worried that the cars will


start to rat-run through Stockett Lane andWell Street. David Jeffrey, projectmanager at


Optivo, said: “Our plans have been carefully considered and will re- flect and preserve the rural ambi- ence of the area. “We are keen to tackle the hous-


ing crisis and create a place which peoplewill be proud to call home.” Tim McLoughlin, projects direc-


walk, take buses or cycle in con- junction with limited road schemes. But LibDemcouncil leaderMar-


tin Cox admitted in a recent inter- view with Downs Mail, that he is “not 100% sure” that modal shift canwork. An Optivo spokesman said: “I


have spoken to the projectmanager and traffic issues had been picked up in the outline permission. “These will be addressed in the


reservedmatters application and a separate highways application (whichwill be submitted alongside this).”


Innovative houses up for awards


TWO housing schemes from the area are through to the finals of this year’s Kent Design and Develop- ment Awards. Two one-off timber-framed de-


tached homes in Lenham Heath (pictured) and a dramatic design at Caring Wood, Maidstone, are among 34 projects shortlisted for this year’s building honours. The timber-framed Cowshed and


Lambshed, built in just 14 weeks by TG Designer Homes in Lenham in December 2017, have already ap- peared in Grand Designsmagazine. Judges will visit the sites – se-


lected from 80 nominations – over three days to announce thewinners, and Project of the Year, at a cere- mony in November. Categories include: commercial,


industrial and retail; conservation; environmental performance; infra- structure and renewables; public buildings – education and commu- nity; and residential (minor and major). The awards are jointly organised


by Kent County Council, planning consultant DHA, and marketing agencyMaxim. KCC leader Paul Carter said: “The


diversity and quality of the entries demonstrates a real commitment to creatingwell designed buildings that work well for the people who use them, for the environment and sit well in the Kent landscape.”


Residential property expert Brian


Horton is chairman of the judges. This year’s sponsors include law


firm Cripps; CTP Consulting Engi- neers;KentConstructionFocusGroup; the Kent Environment Strategy; the Rochester Bridge Trust and Sibley Pares, with support from Quinn Es- tates, the Gallagher Group, and Pe- nenden Heath Developments.


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