News Strategic plan


‘is harmless’ THE borough council has launcheda “StrategicPlan” set- ting out what it refers to as its long-term “aspirations, vision and priorities and how these will be achieved”. Itwas showntobusinesspeo-


ple by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) chief executive Alison Broom, and the Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Martin Cox at a summer networking event. MBC accepts the population


is set to expand as a result of its programme to build tens of thousands of new homes and “where the need for housing is met, infrastructure is inplace to meet the growing needs of res- idents...” The plan claims to show the


borough is “open for business” and is “safe, green and clean”. DespiteMBCclaimingpoliti-


cal approval, a spokesman for the Tory opposition said: “It's justwords. They spentmonths on this. In the end, they pro- duced a harmless document.”


downsmail.co.uk


Walkerswarned after rise insnakenumbers


THE public are being warned to keep an eye out for adders and grass snakes as sightings in the area reach a peak. It follows two reports thisweek of


dogs being bitten in woods at Kingswood and another near Leeds Castle. One dog died, despite treat- ment. There have been sightings in rural


parts of the borough including Sat- plehurst, Sutton Valence and Mar- den.


In Hollingbourne, those


walking on land owned by the HollingbourneMeadowsTrusthave beenwarnedtobewary,particularly around the gateway into theMead- ows by Grove Mill Cottage after a small number of adders – the UK’s only venomous snake –were found under a tarpaulin.According to the NHS, 100 adderbites are reportedin theUKevery year,with the number of bitespeaking inJuly. Experts say warm weather en-


courages the cold-blooded creatures tobask,whilemorepondsandenvi-


Adders have a black zig-zag pattern on their back


ronmentally sensitive landmanage- ment ismakingthemmorevisible, in spiteofafallingpopulation.Walkers should stick to paths in the country- side, andkeepdogs on leads in long grass. They rarely bite unless they feel


threatened, but they aremore likely togetnastyifyouaremoving,sostay still andgive thema chance tomove away. Phil Brown, of the Badger Bushcraftworkshop in Egerton, has noticed a marked increase in grass snakes.He said: “I think because the


public are becomingmore sensitive to preserving, protecting and pro- moting natural habitatswe are see- ing a welcome increase in grass snakes.” Adder bites are not fatal, but can


cause apainful swelling,nausea and dizziness. Thosewith a bite should remain calm, try to remember the shape, size and colour of the snake, removejewelleryandwatchesincase of swelling, loosenclothingandseek medical guidance. Pets bitten by a snakeshouldbetakentoavet.Treat- ment will involve pain relief and sometimes anti-venommedication. Most dogswillmake a full recovery withtreatment. Tree surgeon and naturalist Theo


McCausland,ofLangley, saidthein- creaseinsnakenumbersmaybedue togoodweatherandfoodsourceand added: “People are creating more sympathetic habitats by putting ponds in their gardens, for in- stance. This creates the food sources onwhich they thrive.”


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10 Maidstone Weald August 2019


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