downsmail.co.uk


Residents urge council to say no to Lidl plan


PLANS for a new Lidl store in Ditton have attracted local oppo- sition.


Residents have started a petition challenging the proposal to site the budget supermarket at Brad- bourne Lane, off London Road, where the Kia showroom traded until last February. Between 15 and 20 objections to


the plan have so far been lodged with Tonbridge and Malling Bor- ough Council (TMBC). Residents are worried about a


lack of parking and increased traf- fic in the Ditton area. They are also concerned that small businesses will be squeezed by the larger, more aggressive competitor. We understand more than 300 signatures have been obtained for the petition, which demands that TMBC refuses permission to pro- ceed. One resident said: “The place is coming down with supermarkets. Do we really need another one? It


will only add to the congestion we experience here.” The immediate area is already


served by national chains Sains- bury’s, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco. Lidl envisages 40 staff working


there, but there will be only 77 parking spaces in total. Locals fear this will be insuffi-


cient and some claimed that Kia employees had often resorted to parking on the pavements. How- ever, councillors will be invited to see a study by a traffic consultant who has concluded that the num-


Residents fear increased noise and traffic if Lidl comes to Ditton


ber of spaces on site is adequate. Councillors will make compar-


isons between the traffic volumes when Kia was still using the premises and projected move- ments once the store is up and run- ning.


Kent County Council’s high-


ways department will be called upon to raise any issues, especially whether the A20 can cope with any additional traffic. Objectors have expressed wor-


ries about increased noise, espe- cially from delivery trucks arriving at and leaving the site.


News Baby bargains


AN award-winning pop-up mar- ket is coming to Kings Hill. Nearly new baby, children's


and maternity clothes, used toys and baby equipment are available directly from the previous owner at the Mum2mum market. The event runs from 2-4pm at


Kings Hill Community Centre on February 8. Entry is £2 per adult. Details at www.mum2mummar- ket.co.uk


Church quiz


FRIENDS of Leybourne Church are hosting a quiz night to raise improvement funds. The event is at Castle Lake Pub from 7pm on January 31. Snacks will be provided and


tickets cost £8 per person. Book individually or as a table of up to eight people, by calling Patrick Tootal on 07802 428662.


Craft market


A MEREWORTH church will be hosting a craft fair this spring. The event at St Lawrence’s Church runs from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday, March 14. Entry is free.


Malling January 2020


21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40