Hundreds Have Say on Future Plans for Kings Hill
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November 2012 www.kings-hill.com • ISSUE SEVEN Welcome We were delighted to see so many of you at our public meeting recently and listen to your thoughts on plans for the future development of Kings Hill. The main issues raised are detailed below but if you couldn’t make it, it’s not too late to tell us your views. This issue of the newsletter also has news of expansions on the business park and details of new residential developments which are now available to view. Work is progressing well on the new sports facilities and the refurbishment of the control tower. I am also privileged to say we recently paid tribute to Brian Bell, former Chairman of Kings Hill Cricket Club, and now have a permanent memorial bench at the club in his honour. Andrew Blevins Managing Director, Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd. Hundreds have say on future plans for Kings Hill Hundreds of people living and working at Kings Hill took the time to come to the recent public consultation to share r their views on future development. “We were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss our plans for the future and a big e thank-you to all of you who took the trouble to give us t your views – which you can has been granted but land to generated will be substantially continue to do by emailing us cater for new schooling less than has already been on futuredevelopment@kings- will t provision be allocated provided for. The proposed hill.com,” said Andrew Blevins. within any new master plan. change of use of undeveloped commercial land to residential “The main issues people Parking : development will better wanted to discuss were All residential areas on Kings spread traffic flow, especially schools, parking, transport Hill consented in 2011 and e at peak times. Expert data on and new houses as we move beyond will be applying the this issue will be available for l towards making a new Kent Design Guide Review further consultation as the planning application towards with regard to residential planning process goes the end of the year.” parking. This will include on- forward. Schools : street visitor parking bays and Houses We are aware that school a minimum of two parking : s provision is at the forefront of spaces per home. As The focus for change is the residents’ minds, and as it emerging policy firms up we area of vacant land adjacent comes under the remit of will seek to implement these to Kings Hill Avenue running Kent County Council’s improvements where down to the latest Hillreed Education Department we appropriate in future development, Cathcart Gate. invited them to the public residential development. At this stage it is difficult to say exactly how many houses will w consultation. Current Traffic : be built as we are still going legislation defines the The development’s current through the design process. education authority's role as a planning consent has resulted However, we estimate it could 'strategic commissioner' of in roads already designed, be in the region of 850-950 school provision. When new constructed and paid for to new houses. e school provision is required accommodate the full 2 million the authority is expected to sq.ft. of commercial The development team are understand the wishes of the development originally reviewing the suggestions local community, before envisaged and the 2,750 made at the public inviting proposals from school homes nearing fulfillment. By consultation with the aim of n promoters. Proposals cannot changing the future mix from incorporating as many as be sought or brought forward commercial development to possible into a revised until planning consent for the more residential development, masterplan. Liberty will then revised development plans the amount of traffic ultimately share the collective ideas. IN THIS ISSUE ... > Last phase of control tower > Glorious flowers > Sports facilities update > Expansions > Cricketing tribute > Housing boom November 2012 Video link Last phase of work on control tower There is now a short film – which some of you may have seen – on www.kings-hill.com – depicting a typical day here. Commissioned by Liberty to give people the sense of place, history and identity that photographs alone cannot portray, the film was made by the production company often used by ‘Top Gear’. Work on the Art Deco Grade II listed building is due to be completed by the end of the year “We have such a varied Work is continuing to become a new coffee shop. brickwork ready for a fresh audience - from people progress well on the finish. Secondary windows looking to buy a house at An extension has also been refurbishment of the control have already been installed Kings Hill to multi-national tower with the two single added to the second floor, and primary windows, corporations considering storey extensions. One of which will become office ensuring the building is moving their business the new extensions will space, and scaffolding has watertight, are due to be here – that we needed house a cultural centre and been erected for external fitted shortly as part of the something that would the other, together with the work. The existing paint is careful restoration of the show everyone what whole of the ground floor of due to be carefully building to its Art Deco Kings Hill is about,” said the central building, will removed, exposing the roots. Andrew Blevins. Called ‘A Day in the Life of Kings Hill’, Update on Kings Hill sports facilities the film will be updated regularly. New restaurant Kings Hill has another new restaurant. Humphreys of Kings Hill The development of the social space, kitchen and what this investment can do has opened a licensed new sports facilities is office on the first floor. for the youngsters of Kings progressing well. Five grass fish restaurant above its The new sports facilities will Hill and the contribution it pitches are nearly complete, shop. As well as open in August/September will make in strengthening preparation works on the lunchtime specials – 2013 and provide Kings Hill the sense of community in artificial grass pitch begin including lighter options – with fantastic new amenities which we live.” the restaurant has a this month and construction that will be available for local Liberty Property Trust UK children’s menu, special of the sports pavilion has sports clubs to hire. Ltd and Kent County deals for seniors and now also started. Dan Mason, Chairman of Council will be gifting the gluten-free batter is When complete, the sports Kings Hill Football Club, completed sports pitches, available on request. Full pavilion will provide said: “Liberty has gone pavilion and allotments to menu and more changing rooms for six the community, which will be information on teams, two officials’ rooms above and beyond its original obligations by managed by Kings Hill www.humphreysfishand and toilet facilities. The providing the 3G all-weather Parish Council when chips.co.uk building will also provide a pitch. It clearly recognises completed. www.kings-hill.com • ISSUE SEVEN Tribute to cricketing pioneer Glorious wildflowers One of the most memorable sights at Kings Hill over the past few months has been the stunning ‘modern meadow’ wildflower planting. Landscapers Coblands planted swathes of wild flowers in Emerald Walk, Action from the Kings Hill School vs Discovery School match. INSET: Valerie Bell and her daughter Katie sit seeding open grassland, on the memorial bench with, behind left to right, Brian’s brother Gerard, father-in-law Kevin, son Stephen, and Paul Rossiter verges and beds. The plants were carefully There was an excellent two 20/20 matches. held Easy Cricket and Banner chosen to provide turnout for the day of cricket Zone games and Kings Hill, captained by continuous colour and held in memory of Brian Bell, Brian’s son Stephen, won, demonstrations to try to interest from spring to former Chairman of Kings Hill and his mother Valerie – who encourage newcomers to the autumn, and to attract Cricket Club, who sadly died was there with other sport. bees, birds and other last year. members of the family – Valerie Bell said: “I am so wildlife. presented him with the The day started with Kings Hill proud of Brian, he was a Retired teachers Jim and Primary School and Discovery winner’s trophy. wonderful, hard working family Freda, who live in Fortune School contesting the Liberty man who also found the time Liberty donated a bench in Way, are regular walkers Trophy – which was won by to help set up Kings Hill Brian’s honour, which was and have been Discovery School – and was Cricket Club, whilst fighting a formally unveiled by Paul encouraging their friends followed by Kings Hill Cricket dreadful illness. The day was Rossiter, President of Kings and neighbours to enjoy Club taking on local rivals Hill Cricket Club. Throughout a wonderful tribute to all he the sight. “It is truly Mereworth Cricket Club in the day Kent Cricket Board achieved.” beautiful,” said Freda, “and I want to say just how airfield, will be embedded hill.com to be kept up to much we appreciate it. We History in Art as text into the paved areas date with news and particularly like the round linking the shops and Work has now started on opportunities for getting bed in Emerald Walk and businesses of Liberty the Kings Hill Cultural involved. the planting at the junction Square. The artworks will Strategy, which is being put of Tower View and Hazen add interest to Liberty “The Kings Hill Cultural together by Futurecity on Square as well as showing Strategy has been Road.” behalf of Liberty and Kent directions, and will provide developed to support County Council and will be a sense of history and strong, lasting local cultural delivered through a series inclusion.