News Len House is


going ahead PROPOSALS for the redevelop- ment and expansion of iconic but fading Len House, off Palace Av- enue, Maidstone, have won ap- proval of Maidstone Borough Council’s planning committee. Members delayed the decision


at the last meeting, but their con- cerns were allayed mainly about noise now emanating from neigh- bouring leisure businesses; open- ing up the River Len to the east; and impact of a new public boardwalk along the building’s Palace Avenue frontage. The ground floor of the old Rootes building will become a large open commercial space with an emphasis on food and drink. Eighteen flats are proposed for


the first floor with another 62 in an extension. Two additional buildings up to


five storeys high will include 79 housing units. The Mill Street forecourt will be


a seated café area around a central petrol pump design depicting its past use. This will lead to the boardwalk, overlooking floating island habitats for wildlife.


Masks issue


A FORMER Maidstone Girls Grammar School pupil says the wearing of face masks has had a negative effect on deaf people. Leigh Thompson and her daughter Jayne Arnold use sign language to communicate. But Jayne, who has a small amount of hearing in her left ear, says the coverings make lip-read- ing impossible and socialising with friends difficult. Compulsory use of masks at


shops has made her unwilling to go shopping alone.


Charity walk


A WOMAN has walked 125 miles across Kent to raise £850 for a Maidstone charity. Freelance animal sitter Midge Bennett (54) collected the cash for Maidstone and Mid Kent Mind. She is eventually hoping to raise £1,000.


£1,000 gift


A HOUSEBUILDER has donated £1,000 to a charity for people with disabilities. Leonard Cheshire’s Seven Springs facility received the do- nation from the developer, which is currently building homes in Staplehurst.


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downsmail.co.uk


Bus station update set to boost town centre image


THE first pictures have been released of plans for a £1million revamp of the bus station in Maidstone. Borough councillors approved


proposals for a public consulta- tion on the site, which runs un- derneath The Mall and beside Sainsbury’s in Pad’s Hill. The station, which was de-


signed in the 1970s, has been ear- marked for refurbishment for more than 13 years. Despite being owned by Capi-


tal and Regional, which runs The Mall, and used by bus operator Arriva, the majority of the bill is being paid for by Maidstone Bor- ough Council (MBCn An MBC spokesman said:


“Currently, Maidstone’s main bus interchange is located at The Mall Chequers Shopping Centre and quite frankly is neither wel- coming nor user-friendly. “It is not well lit and is threat-


ening in character, being essen- tially a tunnel under the centre, linking King Street and Romney Place. “The proposed new look will


modernise the area and will con- tribute to increase the vitality and viability of Maidstone by improving its overall image as a


modern and well cared for place with excellent public transport facilities.” It is anticipated the renovations


will make the site more accessi- ble and user-friendly. A space has also been allocated


to display public art. The public consultation began


on July 22 and runs until Septem- ber 16. Maidstone residents have been invited to air their views. Part of the Town Centre Bus Station proposed project in-


Tributes to cricketer


MAIDSTONE'S Mote Cricket Club members have paid tribute to a talented former player, Darren Cook. The 43-year-old was diagnosed


in December with a virulent cancer and died in June. Darren was a very enthusiastic


all-round Maidstone sportsman – a good footballer but he was ded- icated to cricket. In his Maidstone school days he


was an outstanding colt, playing for and captaining a successful Bobbing Court and colts team. His left-arm seam bowling and


aggressive batting served him well at Mote CC, where he played first and second eleven cricket. When he switched to left-arm


spin bowling, he was spotted by Kent and played for the county’s under 19s. Glen Aukett, chairman of The Mote CC, said: “So sad. He was a


talented cricketer and good lad, very committed to The Mote.” Darren, a retained fireman at


Borough Green, leaves his wife Lot- tie. Any donations in his memory can be made to the Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford.


cludes: l cleaning of road and con- courses; l opening up the concourses to provide more light; l replacement of lights; l new colour scheme; l new flooring and soffits to the concourses; l refurbished canopy to the east concourse; l new signs and information systems; l public art.


Award hope


A WEST Malling boy with pros- thetic legs, who has raised £1mil- lion for charity, has reached the penultimate selection stage in Awards for Brave Britons 2020 Young Hero category. Inspiring Tony Hudgell had his


legs amputated three years ago due to abuse as a baby. Tony set himself the challenge


of walking 10km in the month of June, in a bid to raise £500 for the Evelina hospital in London where he received his prosthetic legs. Winners will be announced in October.


Holi date set


A DATE has been set for next year’s Holi festival in Maidstone. Holi, popularly known as the


Indian “festival of colours”, marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter. The event is set to take place on Sunday, March 28, at 12.30pm at the Collis Millennium Green Trust in St Philip’s Avenue.


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