Decision on homes plan


RESIDENTS will be keen to hear what provision Maidstone Coun- cil makes to reduce their concerns about


the development of 62


homes on a green field site in Tovil.


A decision on reserved matters


including landscaping and access to the site on Postley Road, near Hayle Park, is expected shortly. Chailey Homes already has out-


line permission for the site, which would see the demolition of a “cottage” – possibly the gate- house to Hayle Place – to make way for the development. Complaints from those living


nearby include the restricted ac- cess to the site; traffic generation, potential flooding and the impact on the area’s


already hard-


pressed utilities and services and the wildlife corridor it provides to Hayle Park Nature Reserve. Neighbour Mr M Field says the


development will “contribute to the urban sprawl and further re- duce the available accessible green space for those living in the southern part of the borough”. He adds: “Although I accept


planning constraints on Maid- stone Borough Council, it has a duty to its residents to promote and protect open green areas and provide green fingers into the town to help combat pollution, and demonstrate its right to be part of the Garden of England.” An appeal has been lodged to


develop another strip of land near the site after the borough council refused permission.


Smart talk


SMART Metering – will it be worth it? The public can find out at a talk by an EDF director in Maidstone. Steve Hayfield will speak about


electricity suppliers’ mandatory duty to offer a smart meter to every customer and install it by 2020. The cost will be around £16bn. He will ask whether customers


want them, whether they will use them as the government expects, and if they will save energy. The session, from 7pm, will pro-


vide an opportunity to find out more and get


progress, the risks and issues, and an insight into the future world of energy. The seminar is at The Hilton


Hotel, Maidstone, on Wednesday, November 20. Register at www.events.theiet.org/smart-me- tering-will-it-be-worth-it.


18 Maidstone December 2019 an update on


Drug dealer is jailed after being stopped in car park


DRUG dealer Rhys Costello has been jailed after plain clothes police officers arrested him with heroin and cocaine.


Crack seller Costello tried to


run off after he was challenged acting suspiciously near his home in Knightrider Street. Two officers stopped a Mer-


cedes as it drove into a car park on September 19. Costello (29) drew attention to


himself as the passenger because he was on two mobile phones at the same time. He was told he would be searched for drugs. At that point, as he got out of


the car, he pushed one of the offi- cers and ran off along Knightrider Street. He was chased on foot into Lower Stone Street, where he was arrested in connection with drug dealing. When searched, Costello was


found to have £40 and a small package containing a wrap of crack cocaine and a wrap of heroin. Police said his home address


users in the town. Costello was charged with pos-


sessing crack cocaine with intent to supply and possessing heroin with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone


Crown Court on Friday, October 25, and was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. Kent Police’s Chief Inspector


Ray Quiller, district comander for Maidstone, said: "Once again a drug dealer has been caught by proactive officers patrolling in plain clothes. “We continue to be alert for


was searched and officers seized a total of £13,328 cash, hidden in items of clothing. When checked, one of the mobile phones he was holding was found to have re- ceived calls from known drug


those seeking to bring misery to our town through the supply of cocaine and heroin, and will not hesitate to search those acting suspiciously. ”Where cash is seized and sus-


pected to be the proceeds of crime, we will of course take steps to ensure it is confiscated.”


Rape report


A MAN in his 20s was allegedly raped in an alleyway in Maidstone. The incident is reported to have


happened at about 7.30pm on Thursday, October 24. The victim was walking between Brewer Street and Union Street. There is no description of the


male suspect but the area was cor- doned while officers combed the area. Officers are appealing for in- formation that may assist their in- vestigation. Call Kent Police on 01622 604


100, with reference 46/204772/19. Alternatively call the independent charity


Crimestoppers anony-


mously on 0800 555 111 or com- plete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org


Tour of park


FIND out about the animals and trees in Mote Park, Maidstone, on a guided walk on November 23. The chairman of the Mote Park


Fellowship will lead the Autumn Tree and Animal Walk, which will also include the history of the park. Tickets are £3. The event starts at


1.30pm and runs until 4pm. For further details call 01622 602169.


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