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‘Splat app’ to help track
bug decline BUGS matter. And according to conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Bug Life, many insect populations have declined to a dangerous level. To tackle this, Kent Wildlife Trust is launching an app to sur- vey insect populations. Users simply have to clean their car number plates and, at the end of a journey, count the number of dead insects inside a “splatome- ter” grid. The survey is based upon the “windscreen phenomenon”, a term given to the declining num- ber of insects found squashed on car windscreens compared to pre- vious decades. Kent Wildlife Trust’s previous
survey in 2019 found 50% fewer bugs than in 2004.
There is growing evidence of insect decline caused by pesti- cides and loss of habitat. Conservation experts believe
the consequences are potentially catastrophic to our ecosystems, the survival of other wildlife and the pollination of crops. In the UK, only butterflies and moths have been monitored in enough detail to allow trends to be fully understood. The Bugs Matter survey started on June 1. For details, go to
www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Thefts charge A MAN has been charged with a
series of thefts across Maidstone. Dougie Frankham (34), of High- land Road, allegedly stole bottles of alcohol and food items from shops including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and the Co-op. He was later charged with six counts of theft and bailed to ap- pear before Maidstone Magis- trates’ Court at a later date.
Caravans bid
AN application for a new caravan site in Yalding has been submit- ted. Permission is being sought for
an additional 12 caravan pitches and 11 tent pitches at Orchard View Park.
22 Runners hope to raise £8k
THREE local runners have run a marathon to raise money for Maidstone- based mental health charity Mid Kent Mind. They are (pictured from left) Vanessa Hewitt-Griggs (37), of Walderslade
Woods, Justin Greenaway (50) of Hollingbourne and Barry Walker (53) of Bredgar. The trio had planned to run the Brighton Marathon but it was cancelled due to Coronavirus, so they took to the streets of Kent instead. Vanessa said: “By doing it locally, we had so much more support on the
day, with lots of friends and family dotted along the route. That, along with the support leading up to the day, and the fundraising total gaining momentum is honestly what got us through those gruelling 26.2 miles." They now keen for their fundraising efforts to reach £8,000 or more, with donations still coming in. If you’d like to contribute, go to www.justgiv-
ing.com/fundraising/vhg-jg-bw.
Rush for new homes is pushing prices up
ESTATE agents in Maidstone are booking over 10 house viewings an hour, with some people putting offers on properties without visiting them.
According to the Halifax, house
prices are rising at their fastest pace in five years after the extended stamp duty holiday triggered a fresh surge in buying last month. The average first-time buyer property in Maidstone costs £220,000 – up £60,000 on the £160,000 price tag of a decade ago. Experts said the industry was “working around the clock” to fit in auctions, sales, and viewings. Estate agent Ben Siggins, who is pictured with his team, said: “The market right now is like nothing I've ever known. We have people offering on properties without even seeing them. “If we put a property on the mar-
ket, we can book 10 to 15 viewings within a couple of hours, and the next day, it's sold. This is even tak- ing into account a rise in prices of between five and 10% this year. “I don't feel the stamp duty hol- iday has had as much of an impact as people think. I think the lock- down has had a much more con- siderable influence.”
One housing expert said there
was an average of one offer for every two viewings in Maidstone and 165 properties in the borough were added to Rightmove in the last two weeks.
Agents across the county have
seen the best and worst of buyers and sellers, with reports of cus- tomers following estate agents to their cars or writing handwritten letters to homeowners. The pandemic has also seen peo- ple reassess their living space.
Sarah Raggett, a partner of Sib-
ley Pares, said the stamp duty hol- iday “fuelled the bubble” but people saving money during lock- down resulted in them wanting new homes.
She added: “The market is the busiest it’s been for many years. Here in Maidstone every property is generating phenomenal interest with properties going under offer sometimes within hours of coming to the market.”
Hit-and-run
crash report A SUSPECT remains in cus- tody after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash in Maidstone. The crash happened in Woolley Road at 4.40pm on May 15. A police helicopter was dispatched and a man in his 40s was taken to hospital. He was arrested for failing to stop following an accident, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and possession of Class A drugs.
Homes plan
A PLANNING application has been submitted to demolish large light-industrial buildings and replace them with homes. The proposal is for eight houses with landscaping and ecological enhancements at Blue House Farm, Warren Street, Lenham.
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