News


downsmail.co.uk Planners’ shock at appeal rate


BOROUGHplanners have been left reeling after government inspectors overturned nearly half of their rulings.


Maidstone has lost 46% of the


planning appeals levelled against it, compared to a Kent average of between 23%and 30%. The figures have prompted


anger within the borough’s plan- ning committee, with Headcorn’s Martin Round protesting: “We are beingmade to look fools in front of our community. “What’s the point of us sitting


here?What’s the point of us actu- ally having a committee? What’s the point of us employing enforce- ment officers?” The statistics came to light as


council officials pledged an audit of appeal decisions to see if the government’s inspectors “are get- ting itwrong”. Planning officer Austin Mackie


told councillors: “We’ll also look at how we are approaching ap- peals… are we really putting to- gether the right evidence?Havewe


let our guarddown a bit?Ordowe need a better evidence base?” He said the borough’s compara-


tively poor resultsmight be down to other authorities having green belt or more Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designations. But he admitted the number of gypsy and traveller appeals dis-


tortedMaidstone’swider statistics. He said that, in terms of gypsy


and traveller sites, “inspectors are placing significantweight onstatus and need”, while other planning losses had been “really subjective views onminor developments”. “We have a positive Local Plan,” he said. “We have a positive atti-


tude to delivery. But when we choose to refuse, inspectors are not recognising that this is the excep- tion to the rule.” Cllr Round said: “We have a


plan that is robust…yet appeal in- spectors are constantly berating our system. They are actually knocking thework of our enforce- ment officers.” However, North ward’s Cllr


TonyHarwood said the “elephant in the room” was the lack of trav- eller provision inMaidstone. “Untilwe get our act together on


good, well-appointed, high qual- ity, public, affordable gypsy and traveller sites, we will continue to short-change both the gypsy and traveller community and the set- tled community,” he said. As Downs Mail was going to


press, MBC lost another appeal - this time relating to Love Lane in Headcorn.


Virtual GPs


PATIENTS will soon be able to Skype their consultant, thanks to a trial being carried out at Maid- stone Hospital. Maidstone and Tunbridge


Wells NHS Trust is one of nine across NHS England piloting the virtual system,AttendAnywhere. On July 1, the teamtrialling the


Officers save M20 buzzard


TWO traffic officers rescued a buzzard from the M20 in Maid- stone. The bird of prey was spotted


on the side of the carriageway on July 14. There were no signs of injury. A spokesman for Highways


England said the raptor was taken to the pet centre at Newn- ham Court who confirmed the bird was not injured. Itwas later released, according


to one report. There were fears the bird had


been hit by a vehicle on theM20 and had been stunned before its rescue.


18 Maidstone August 2019 Crowds enjoyMela


THOUSANDS of people attended theMaidstoneCommunityMela to enjoy a range of culturally diverse performances and stalls. More than 3,000 visitors took


part in the annual celebration of music, foodanddanceatWhatman Park on Sunday, July 14. The festivities were launched by


theMayorofMaidstoneCllrMarion Ring, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Bill Cockcroft and Mela producer Gurvinder Sandher (pictured). Performances included Kent-


basedPhase5SteelBand, folkband Ukelear


Fallout, Maidstone


NepaleseCommunityGroup,Maid- stone Malayalee Group and Kitka Bulgarian Folk Dance Troupe. The food stands included Indian, Chinese and Nepalese cuisines,


served alongside burgers, dough- nuts and hot dogs. Mr Sandher said: “I am very


proudofwhatweachievedinMaid- stone this year. People do not al- ways appreciate how small the team is that puts on the Mela, but the hard work is worthwhile when you get somany people turning up. “Its ethos is to use food, music


and dance to celebrate all that binds us together.” The Mela is a highly-anticipated


event in the borough, despite the fi- nancial challenges it has faced. Mr Sandher added: “The Mela


was set up after the 9/11 attacks anditsmessage is justas important today. We are keen to take it back to Mote Park if we can raise the funding.”


IT system atMaidstone Hospital, which includes those in sexual health, specialist medicine and the emergency department, re- ceived a flying visit from Chris Ryan, theAustralian programs di- rector ofAttendAnywhere. The system would allow pa-


tients to attend virtual consulta- tion


appointments using


computers and mobile devices and Chris was more than happy to explain further and answer questions.


Crafty kids


HEAD along to Cobtree Manor Park in Forstal Road, Maidstone, for drop-in arts and crafts ses- sions – no need to book. The children’s events –with dif-


ferent themes – run from 10am until noon on July 24 and 31 and August 7, 14 and 21. Prices range from £1-£5, de-


pending on the activity. Formore details call 01622 602747.


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