News
downsmail.co.uk Homes fears in woodland sale A 17-acre plot of ancient woodland is up for sale, sparking fears it could be used for housing.
The site between the recreation ground and the M20 is to go under the hammer later this month. Described as “freehold with va-
cant possession”, there is a guide price of £50-60,000 and despite its protected designation as an ancient woodland, there are worries it could be sold for housing. One local resident told Downs
Mail: “I understand there is some protection from building on it, but nothing seems sacred these days.” The
Clive Emson auction
brochure states: “An outstanding opportunity to acquire approxi- mately 17 acres of mature wood- land situated to the north of the county town of Maidstone, with new residential development and commercial development situated immediately to the east and the Penenden Heath recreational area
Buses moved
during work THOUSANDS of Maidstone shop- pers could face disruption during work on the new bus station. The station under The Mall will be closed to the public, and bus stops will be relocated to King Street for 12 weeks from March 22. The narrow steps between Sains- bury’s and the Mall will also be closed to the public during the works, although access via the es- calators will remain open. Chairman of the Economic, Re- generation and Leisure Commit- tee, Cllr Paul Harper, said: “There will be some changes while the works are taking place so please bear with us as all bus services will be relocated on to King Street.”
and car park to the west. “There is also access to the M20 at junction seven, which is close by. The land comprises mature woodland, the majority of which is designated ancient woodland, with a variety of species, together with some areas which may be
suitable for coppicing."
Asked if designated ancient woodland can be developed, Cam- paign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) spokesman Richard Knox- Johnston said: “Up until the last National Planning Policy Frame- work (NNPF), yes. But there was a
Appeal after car park attack
A MAN was knocked uncon- scious in the car park of a Head- corn supermarket. The victim, who is in his 40s,
was allegedly attacked by two men to the rear of Sainsbury’s Local in the High Street on February 15. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment to a head injury. Investigating officer PC Carl Johnson said: “The car park was busy at the time of the incident
and we are appealing for wit- nesses to contact the appeal line. “We are also asking any mo- torists with dashcam who were in the area at the time and resi- dents with doorbell cameras to check for footage that may assist the investigation.”
Anybody with information is urged to call 01622 604100, quot- ing reference 46/25499/21, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Raffle gifts help raise £1,700
THE Friends of Thurnham group has thanked Tesco Grove Green for donating gifts to their charity Christmas raffle. The fundraising event was held at Thurnham Infant School and was the club’s largest event in 2020, raising more than £1,700.
restriction placed on ancient wood- land so that you wouldn't be able to do that any more.” The NPPF states applications for woodland development should be refused unless there are “wholly exceptional circumstances”, for ex- ample enormous infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail service HS2. Ancient woodland designation can only be granted for a plantation which has existed since 1600AD. Local Liberal Democrat borough councillor David Naghi, pictured at the site, said: “The question is why sell it after all these years? The last thing we need is more houses - perhaps the borough council should buy it.” We understand the wood is in the hands of a charitable trust with links to a local landowning family.
Gypsy site
plan agreed THE extension of a gypsy site in Boughton Monchelsea has been approved. A dayroom and three residen- tial static mobile homes will be erected at the Park Lane site. Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council said the proposal would cause “unacceptable harm to the character of the area”.
Cllr Tony Harwood said in order to be accepted the applica- tion should include the installa- tion of solar panels on the roof of the dayroom. Permission was unanimously granted by Maidstone Council's Planning Committee, subject to planning conditions.
The awardwinning Downs Mail newspaper is delivered fortnightly doortodoor in selected areas, and is available to pick up from major supermarkets and local stores in the Maidstone and Malling boroughs. The papers are free to read online, as is the Daily Downs Mail news service. Find them at
www.downsmail.co.uk.
We can post the newspaper to you for an annual subscription of £25 for 24 editions. For details, email
info@downsmail.co.uk or call a member of the team on 01622 630330.
Editorial Editor Simon Finlay
simon.finlay@
downsmail.co.uk Editorial team: Online news editor Jade Schopman
jade.schopman@
downsmail.co.uk Chris Lawson
chris.lawson@
downsmail.co.uk Lindsay Roberts
lindsay.roberts@
downsmail.co.uk Obituaries Neil Nixon
neilnixon22@gmail.com
4 Sales
Manager Sara Henslow
sara.henslow@downsmail.co.uk Accounts:
accounts@downsmail.co.uk Mail Publications Ltd Forge House Bearsted Green Business Park Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4DT Call us: 01622 630330
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
