News House blaze


TWENTY firefighterswere called to a house fire in Maidstone on July 11. Four fire engines and a height


vehicle dealt with the blaze at a property in Newchurch Road at about 11.30am. A spokesman for Kent Fire and


Rescue said: “Around 20 firefight- ers in four fire engines and a height vehicle responded to a house fire inMaidstone on July 11. “The fire, which is believed to


have started in a bedroom, and spread to the roof and conserva- tory, is nowbeing investigated to establish the cause. “Fortunately, no one was hurt


and the familywas outside on our arrival.”


M20 accident


A WOMAN was injured in a crash on the M20 on Monday, July 8. Part of the motorway was shut


near Leybourne after the collision between a lorry and car. The closure caused traffic chaos


on theLondon-boundcarriageway while the woman was treated at the scene for a leg injury.


downsmail.co.uk


Threatened community centre’s newlease of life


AMUCH-loved residents’ centre in the heart of aMaidstone com- munitywillbe refurbishedafter a campaign by local people. Some 20 months after proposed


closure, Heather House in Park Wood is set for a £1m facelift and even an extension to its facilities. Recommended for closure by


council officers, the plan was op- posed by Conservative Cllr Matt Burton and ParkWood Residents’ Association, who collected a peti- tion of over 800 signatures. The Communities,Housing and


Environment Committee over- turnedthedecision andplans have finally been adopted for the reno- vation, which will include new changing facilities for sports teams who use the playing fields at Park Wood RecreationalGrounds. Conservative Cllr Dan Rose,


who represents Park Wood, said: “The people of south east Maid- stone need Heather House to re- main a thriving community hub.


Cllrs John Barnard andMatt Burton, County Cllr Gary Cooke and Cllr Marion Ring, the Mayor of Maidstone


We have taken a huge step to se- curing this for the next generation. “We have a plan in place to pro-


tect it, promote it and expand it.” The redevelopment of the facil-


ity, expectedto start in2021,will be designedin consultationwith local residents and regular users. It will be partly-funded by an


MBC-built block of apartments for rent, which will replace the re- cently-vacated Pavilion Building. The remaining investment will be


subject to a future decision of Pol- icy and Resources Committee. CllrMattBurton,who represents


the area, said: “I am truly proud that the CHE Committee has seen fit to invest in this building for the future. “I sincerely hope that all who


votedin favour of ourplanswill be willing todo all they cannowto se- cure the remaining funding from the other Committee. Dan and I will certainly be doing allwe can.”


For all your heating and bathroom needs Newly refurbished


Showroom & Trade Counter NOW OPEN!


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Maidstone August 2019


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