News | Schools


Protests bring changes to plan for two schools


THE storm of protest over plans to build two schools near theM20 J7 has prompted amended plans for the KentMedical Campus site. After bowing to public pres-


sure, there will be no vehicle or pedestrian access in Bearsted Road, greater drop-off provision, removal of a proposed path across Weavering Heath and pathways changes. Therewas amassive public out-


cry when the developers and the Department for Education pro- posed a vehicle entrance on Bearsted Road. When that plan was later


shelved, residents were further enraged by the suggestion that a pedestrian access could be placed there instead. Boxley parish councillorWendy


Hinder said: “They’ve listened to whatwe have been saying,which is good. It will still increase traf- fic.At the end of the day, it is still not in the right place, despite the


need for school places.” A spokesman for the appli-


cants, a building firmand theDe- partment for Education, released the following statement: “As a di- rect result of community feed- back, the project teambehind the plans for two new Maidstone schools … have submitted amended plans for the site access, car parking and highways im- provements.” They say therewill be:


 the removal of vehicular access fromBearsted Road – access nowvia KMC;  the removal of pedestrian access fromBearsted Road – nowvia KMC;  increased provision of on-site drop-off spaces;  removal of proposed surfaced path acrossWeavering Heath;


revised package of possible off-site highway/footway im- provements that can be secured by condition if the council considers themnecessary. The spokesman added: “The


newschoolswill bring significant public benefit andwill be entirely funded by theDepartment for Ed- ucation. They will have a variety of facilities available for wider community use, including sports, drama andmusic spaces.” The primary and special


schools, for 540 pupils, would be run by the LeighAcademies Trust chain,which has 23 other schools in its business portfolio. Councillors and residents have


not disputed the need for school places, butwonder if the newone will effectively serve any of the catchments it ismeant to help.


downsmail.co.uk ‘Wrong site’


CANON John Corbyn, vicar of Bearsted, claimedthat althoughthe primary school will bear


the


Bearstedname, the number of chil- drenisdecliningin the village. He has consis-


tently doubted the siting of the school


at Popes Field, a nature reserve. He added: “I suspect Thurnham


and Roseacre schools will be able to attract walk-to-school parents, which this site cannot do. If these schools do go ahead, how long would it be before parents started to campaign for apedestrian access in Bearsted Road? “The applicants seemto have an- sweredthe objectors’main issues.”


‘Trees to go’


ACCORDING to Bearsted bor- ough councillor Val Springett, 19 poplar trees will be removedto cre- ate off-road park- ing for residents of Gidds Pond Cot- tages. This will free


space to enhance footpaths as well


as introducing traffic calming measures at pinch points. She said: “I don’t see the need to


remove all the poplar trees by Gidds PondCottage to create a car park. Iwill be looking at the docu- ments that relate to that to seewhat their design is for the car park for Gidds Pond residents.”


‘Danger road’ Heathland torn up by contractors


CONTRACTORS working on behalf of two proposed schoolswere heav- ily criticised after churning upheath- land nearMaidstone. Geotechnics’ workers arrived


unannounced to carry out “inves- tigative work” atWeavering Heath onThursday,March7.However,due to conditions, the digger got stuck, leaving holes and gullies up to60cm deep. Borough councillors are annoyed,


notonlyabout themessbutalsothe fact that none was informed of the work. They were, therefore, unable to answer concerns from residents at Grove Green. Bearsted borough councillor Val


Springett, went along to support Boxley councillors, in whose parish the schools’ land lies, after receiving


8 Maidstone East April 2019 Cllr Tony Harwood at the site


calls from worried residents, asking for information. Cllr Springett, pic- tured fourthfromright amongother representatives, said: “As a courtesy, councillors should have been told


what was going to happen; efforts should also have beenmade to pro- tect the land and its wildlife. They now feel the schools plan is a done deal and concerned about how much work is allowed on this land before they even have permission.” A spokesman for the developers


behind the proposed schools across the road on Popes Field apologised and pledged to put themess right. The spokesman added: “Our con-


tractor undertook investigative works under licence fromMaidstone BoroughCouncil to informthe plan- ning application for the schools. “Unfortunately, an excavator be-


came stuck and fencing around the area fell down in high winds. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”


BEARSTED borough councillor Denis Spooner said: “It seems to bemoving in the right direction in terms of Bearsted Road, because it is such a danger- ous road for any- one


to walk


along, let alone children. “The applicants came in with


completely the wrong tack with plans for Bearsted Road that everyone could seewere unwork- able. But the question is: where are the pupils coming from? It seems they will be coming from the north andwest of the town.”


The amendments can be re- viewed at Maidstone.gov.uk/ planning (application num- ber 18/506656/FUL).


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