News
downsmail.co.uk
A DISABLED mum of two is fighting to get a set of stairs turned into a ramp when 421 homes are built in Otham.
Theresa Elliott (55), of The Beams, was diagnosed with pri- mary progressive multiple sclero- sis almost 11 years ago and says gaining easier access to the Church Road area would change her life. Mrs Elliott claims plans to install a ramp from the corner of her road to the site would mean she could get to the church and local shops by herself instead of being driven on a three-mile round trip. Mrs Elliott, who worked as a teaching assistant at Holy Family Primary School for 14 years, said: “It is hard enough to be disabled, I have to fight for everything, but I am prepared to fight for this one.” She says the plans submitted by
Bellway Homes are not clear enough and do not specify what kind of ramp will be installed, if any.
Mrs Elliott, who has lived in the village for 30 years, said: “When I have grandchildren, I would love to be able to take them to the play- ground, but at the moment it is not an option for me. “When I was well I would al-
ways go walking through the fields of Otham down to the White Horse pub. This, for people like me, would make a massive difference to my life and would bring back a lot of my independence.”
facing abuse
“I’ll ght for access ramp’ Diggers bring
traffic chaos OTHAM Parish Council has com- plained to builder Bellway over the “traffic carnage” as the dig- gers arrived on the site. Clerk Teresa Irving wrote to
developer Bellway on July 12 as archaeologists’ equipment ar- rived, stating: “I have been con- tacted by residents who were appalled by the level of disrup- tion to the start of their working week.” Some residents claimed they
Bellway Homes gained permis- sion last year for the new develop- ment in one of the most significant and symbolic housing decisions in the borough for many years. Deputy chairman of Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum, Duncan Edwards, claims there is a big risk the developer will ignore many im- portant aspects of the conditions set by the appeal and could be nodded through by a Maidstone Borough Council officer. Mr Edwards said: “Across the community we can see that the de- velopment does not make sense, but the planning system has worked against us and given the green light for the development.
“We are now fighting to have those conditions applied prop- erly.”
A Bellway Homes spokesman said: “Bellway is working with the local authority to ensure that we adhere to the conditions of our planning permission for Church Road. “As part of this we have under- taken a detailed analysis of the re- quirements for the access to the site and we have provided a solution that we believe will address the concerns of local residents with ac- cessibility needs, whilst working with the constraints of the site. “This will require approval from the local planning department.”
Surgery sta Fayre a great successff
A SURGERY in Headcorn says staff members face daily abuse from patients.
Headcorn Surgery, in Grigg
Lane, claims the issue has become worse in recent months. Staff encounter unreasonable demands, rudeness, shouting, swearing, personal attacks and threats of violence. A spokesman said: “These sorts of things are happening multiple times each day. “Please don’t forget that the re- ceptionist you are speaking to, nurse you are seeing or GP by whom you are being treated is a fellow human being.
“They are all dealing with the same challenges within their per- sonal lives that of our patients are facing.”
The surgery looks after around 8,500 patients.
8
KENT County Agricultural So- ciety (KCAS) has declared their Summer Fayre, held at the County Showground, Detling, on July 10 – 11, a success. The COVID-19 secure event,
was a scaled-down version of the annual Kent County Show, which had been postponed for the second year running be- cause of the pandemic. Limited to 4,000 visitors each
day, the summer fayre featured show-jumping, scurry classes, livestock displays, inter-hunt competitions and farrier con- tests.
Nikki Dorkings, show man- ager, said: “The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was won- derful to see people enjoying themselves after a difficult year.”
For many, the highlight of
the show was the young farm- ers stand. They produced their animals ‘show ready’ for the grand parade of livestock. These young people are the
future of farming and their dis- play in the Astor Ring is al- ways well received by spectators. James Forknall, chairman of KCAS, said: “Unfortunately, the 2020 Kent County Show had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and I am proud of what the team has achieved in such a short space of time.” The KCAS has supported education and improvement in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and related indus- tries since its foundation in 1923. The next Kent County Show has been scheduled for July 8,9, and 10, 2022.
were trapped by HGV move- ments and mud and stones being strewn across the country lane.
Bellway divisional planning manager, Matthew Besant, said: “Unfortunately, the archaeolo- gists do require this type of large machinery on site in order to complete their investigations and discharge their require- ments, and there is no other way for it to get onto the site.”
Thai dining
A THAI restaurant has confirmed plans to replace ASK Italian in Maidstone.
The Giggling Squid hopes to
open in Earl Street by the end of the year. ASK Italian shut for good in lockdown last September, leaving the building unoccupied.
Road closure GAS replacements
works in
Maidstone have been extended. Marion Crescent is closed until
August 13 at the junction with Plains Avenue. The diversion is via Marion Crescent, Cranborne Avenue, and A229 Loose Road.
Drugs found
A SUPPLY of cannabis was seized from an address in Shepway. The drugs were found at a property in Cumberland Avenue on July 9. A woman was reported for summons.
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