News


downsmail.co.uk Lorry park sites surveyed


THE prospect of a huge post-Brexit lorry park being built on arable land is now a step closer, DownsMail has learned. Ecological surveys have been


carried out on some plots identi- fied as sites for the 250-300 acre truck stop, which lie a few miles from the M20 between Sandway and BoughtonMalherbe. Highways England’s interest in


land emerged last summer, when landowners were contacted di- rectly to be told the agency was looking to “reduce traffic conges- tion caused by periods of cross- Channel disruption”. Little is known at this stage, ex-


cept that some ecological surveys have been completed, and a short- list of sites is nowbeing drawn up. BoughtonMalherbe parish clerk


Chris Hume told Downs Mail: “It’s fair to say that it has gone quiet, but itmost definitely has not gone away. “Before Christmas, HE were


doing surveys on land in our parish, in the Liverton Street area, and we have been told the next step is to hand a shortlist of sites to the Government.


Whaleofatime


YOUNGSTERS were able to con- sider the pros and cons of being swallowed by awhalewhen they discussed the Biblical story of Jonah at Headcorn’s Messy Church on Saturday, February 23.


The young parishioners also en-


joyed crafts, games, stories and tea during the two-hour session atAndred Hall.


Revenge quiz


THE Friends ofHeadcornChurch are plotting the “Reverend's Re- venge” quiz to raise cash forwor- thy causes. The brain-straining quiz night


at Andred Hall starts at 7.30pm on Saturday,March 6. Tickets are £5 each from Head-


corn Deli or Sweet William Florists.


Advice date


SPECIALISTS from Maidstone Citizens’ Advice will be at Head- corn Library on Tuesday,April 2, to answer questions from vil- lagers. The drop-in session runs from


1.15pm to 3.15pm. Call 01622 752420 formore details.


22 RamraidATMreplaced


THREE months after an audacious ram raid theft of Headcorn’s only 24/7 cash machine, the ATM has been replaced. The Sainsbury’s Bank cashpoint


was rippedoutof the supermarket’s wall inNovember by criminals using a crane and a loading vehicle. They sped off towards the aero-


drome at about midnight on No- vember19.Thecranewas left insitu. Local people said that they had


earlier tried to use the ATMonly to find it was unable to dispense, per- haps because it had run out of cash. But the supermarket has now re-


placed the service. During shop hours, locals were able to use the cash dispenser at the PostOffice.


Maidstone Weald March 2019


Sally Alexander and local county councillor Shellina Prendergast at last summer’s residents’meeting


“So that is what we are waiting


for – to see if we’re on the short- list.” A public meeting of residents –


attended by the Campaign to Pro- tect Rural England and the Kent Wildlife Trust –was held in Platts Heath on February 8.


A representative ofHEwas due


to attend, but had to pull out at the lastmoment. Adam Jenkins wrote on Face-


book: “A shame Highways Eng- land were ‘unable’ to attend. Perhapswemight ask themfor an alternative date that they could


make andsee howkeen they really are tomeet us?” Platts Heath resident Kathy


Hales said: “There have been re- ports of Highways England send- ing letters to residents with requests to conduct surveys in their gardens. There are a lot of people who are now wondering what on earth is going on. “Others are fretting about the


house prices and being able to move if they needed to.” At a residents’meeting last July,


farmer Sally Alexander said: “I don’t trust Highways England to dowhat they say they’ll do – in the end, they’ll dowhat theywant.” MPHelenWhatelywas unavail-


able for comment. Highways England did not re-


spond to our request for details about the search for land or sur- veys carried out. Last year, the agency claimed


that there were “dozens” of sites under consideration in Kent and the South East.


Enjoywalking


and a lunch A VILLAGE fund-raising event has been organised in Hunton in the hope that it will appeal to just about everyone. The organisers of the Vil-


lage Walk and Lunch at the Hunton Club will be raising money to finish the kitchen at the Bensted Lane venue and to upgrade the toilets there. Family and friends arewel-


come to join the circularwalk which starts from the club at 10.50am on April 7, and lasts about an hour-and-a-half. Thosewho do not fancy the


walk can help prepare the meal or relax at the club and join walkers for lunch at 12.30pm. Donations of £6 are requested. Those interested in offer-


ing their culinary skills by providing a dish for the day, as well as those who want to reserve a place or report any special dietary needs should email


lesley.a.lee@btinter- net.com.


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