News Fabrics sale


A SALE of designer fabrics is to be heldatHeadcorn village hall on Saturday, June 15, between 11am and 3pm. Hundreds of rolls of material,


ideal for running up curtains, up- holstery, craft andfurnishings,will be up for grabs,many at giveaway prices, say organisers. Call Yvonne for details on 07470


755640. Trial date set


A MAIDSTONE man has ap- peared beforemagistrates accused of beating awoman and elected to stand trial. David Brown (27), ofCambridge


Crescent, pleaded not guilty to three charges including criminal damage, assaultbybeating, anden- gaging in controlling and coercive behaviour onMay 20. A trial date has beenset forMonday, July 29, at MaidstoneMagistratesCourt.


Court hearing


A 16-year-old boy has been charged with stealing valuables froma house inMaidstone. He allegedly broke into a home


inAllnuttMillClose,Tovil, lastAu- gust, taking games consoles, fish- ing gear and jewellery. The child will appear before Medway Mag- istrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 4.


MP steps up


MAIDSTONEMencap, the charity for mental health sufferers, has elected a newpresident. Maidstone and the Weald MP


Helen Grant, who was previously a vice-president, replacesAndrew Wells,who has steppeddown after six years in the role.


downsmail.co.uk


New‘garden’ homes would split village


HUNDREDS of banner-waving villagers opposed to 2,000 newhomes in Marden took to the streets in protest.


They claimthe “garden” project


would destroy the area forever and place undue pressure on local roads and services. Developer Countryside Proper-


ties has claimed the scheme will provide schools and health facili- ties to serve the expanded north- ern fringe of the village. The demonstrators gathered at


Marden Memorial Hall in Goud- hurstRoad at noon onMay 18, be- fore marching to Southons Field, half amile away. The project is part of the Maid-


stone Borough Council’s “call for sites” to be included in its 2022 re- viewof the Local Plan, adopted in November 2017. Marden borough councillor


David Burton said: “We have to be realistic – this is not a planning ap- plication yet, so it is too early to say. “Of all the serious concerns that


people have about this proposal, transport is the biggy forme. “It’s not just the pressure on the


roads but on the railways, too. Marden station is already at ca- pacity and the platforms can’t take longer trains.” Claudine Russell who set up


Marden Planning Opposition Group (MPOG) said: “This devel- opment would be on a green belt site, currently arable, turf growing


Villagers demonstrate about plans for 2,000 new homes inMarden


and fruit farming land. “They’ve got around planning


rules preventing green belt devel- opment by claiming that they’re building a garden community, but for that they need buy-in fromthe local community, and they haven’t got that.” Villagers worry the scheme


would split Marden in two and force people into their cars at a time when MBC is trying to pro- mote its concept of “modal shift”, whichwould encourage residents to abandon their cars in favour of walking, taking the bus or riding a bicycle. Last year,MBC’s LiberalDemo-


Contractual hiccup leaves unsightlymess


DOG owners were warned that theymay encounter overflowing waste bins across the borough. Maidstone Borough Council


saidithashadissueswitha con- tractor,whichhas resultedinthe waste bins not being emptied. A spokesman for MBC told


owners: “To help resolve the problemas quickly as possible, please do not add to overflow- ing bins. “Instead, you can use one of


the many MBC multi-purpose litter bins across the borough andwithin our parks. “We are working with parish


councils to restore clean bin areas as quickly as possible.”


Full and overflowing: Litter and dog waste bins waiting to be emptied 4 Maidstone Weald June 2019


crat leader admitted to Downs Mail he was “not 100% sure” that modal shiftwillwork. MBC is committed to building


17,600 homes as part of the Local Plan and another 8,000 in its re- view. Insiders say that themajority of


the extra 8,000 homesmay come in the formof one ormore “garden” style communities in rural areas, such as Marden, Detling or LenhamHeath. Countryside Properties said:


“We are of the opinion that the community can get to shape the proposals in the future.Wewould consult fullywith local people.”


Top chefs pop in for a feast


FOOD fans have the chance to sample amenu prepared by seven of the region’s top chefs, served at the Hush HeathWinery in Staple- hurst. The six-course tasting will be


raising funds for the children’s charity Tree of Hope, which sup- ports the families of disabled and seriously-ill childrenacross theUK. Kent Chef of the Year,Will De-


vlin, will be among them, along- side star of theGreat BritishMenu ScottGoss,whileHushHeath’s ex- ecutive chef FabioVinciguerrawill be creating special dishes and Jamie Tandoh the dessert. Tickets for theUltimate PopUp,


onThursday, June 20, are available fromwww.treeofhope.org.uk.


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