Four editions delivered to over 88,000 homes every month downsmail.co.uk
MaidstoneMaidstone SouthSouth EditionEdition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE
Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling July 2015 No. 219
News Protests grow as more Industrial decision MAIDSTONE Council has made a u-turn and decided that employ- ment use will be accept- solar farms planned able near M20 Junction 8. 4 THE fight to prevent the Wealden landscape from being scarred by large Bring back festival solar farms has widened, after plans for two new schemes were submitted. A WARD member has called on his colleagues on Maidstone Residents in Staplehurst are al- ment says it wants to create the of good and attractive farmland. Council to support a river ready making their fourth round of farm on 14.3 hectares of land in “We have support from our MP, festival in 2016. 5 objections to an application for Widehurst Farm, south of Thorn Helen Grant, and from both Mar- 64,000 solar panels on a 20.5- Road. It says the development den and Staplehurst parish coun- hectare site at Great Pagehurst would have a capacity of 5mwp – cils as well as the vast majority of Village jubilation Farm in Pagehurst Road – first sub- enough to power more than 1,500 local people we hear from in reject- THERE was a day of celebration mitted in June 2013 – after appli- homes. ing the idea on numerous grounds. in Hunton when the opening of a cant Vogt Solar made amendments The site would also contain a “I am as concerned as anyone cricket pavilion coincided that included a survey of great substation, storage container and about the need to reduce our re- with the village fete. 17 crested newts. up to five inverters. The scheme liance on fossil fuels, but when you Now a proposal has been sub- would come as close as 1,150m look beneath the surface, these mitted for 20,000 panels on 14.3 from Great Pagehurst Farm, but the schemes do not achieve that (due to Successful beginners hectares of land in Marden, which applicant denies that there will be the importation of the panels from will be less than a mile from the a cumulative visual impact. China and the labour from Ger- MARDEN Primary School came Great Pagehurst proposal. However, Charlie Foulkes, a many and the fact that they gener- second on their Maid- Elsewhere, more than 60 villagers strong objector to the Great Page- ate power when it is least needed). stone Kwik Cricket debut. 18 in Teston have opposed a submis- hurst Farm plan, said: “We are hor- “They are motivated by the greed sion to set up a solar farm near the rified to see that another such of the installers and farmers and Report accolade historic bridge and popular coun- scheme is being mooted less than a rely on Government subsidies. EAST Farleigh Pre-School was try park. mile from the first. In both cases, They make out that it is cleebrating an outstand- In Marden, Susenco Manage- these are totally inappropriate uses temporary, 25 to 30 years 10 ing Ofsted rating. 20 Fruit fly threat Comment 30-3146-47 THE decision not to debate the to our cherries demolition of the Russell Hotel is THIS year’s cherry harvest is under defended. attack from Asian fruit flies. Growers in Yalding and Loose Obituaries 34 have already reported losing cher- ries to the bug, which enjoys the Crime Reports 36 heat and thrives when tempera- TWO safes containing cash were tures top 20C. stolen in a raid on a bakery in The threat to this year’s harvest is Headcorn High Street. just as real for commercial growers as it is to gardeners, with the pest partial to not only cherries, but Parish Councils 37-47 Pie-flingers battle it out plums and other soft fruit. SCOUTS in Broomfield and Unlike most fruit flies, which at- Kingswood were being disrupted THE 2015 World Custard Pie Championships in Coxheath attracted 16 teams tack fallen and over-ripe fruit, the by catapult attacks and drug ready to battle it out for the coveted trophy. female spotted wing drosophila users; charity bags had been fly- Teams of four aimed to propel pies at their opponents, scoring points (SWD) lays its eggs under the skin tipped in Chart Sutton; East Far- for a direct hit a blow above the shoulder, and fewer points for those of healthy fruit. Larvae eat the fruit leigh was calling for changes landing elsewhere on the body. from inside, making them soft and after a signalman was injured at After two hours of competition, the champions were a team from unmarketable. the level crossing; a panic button Japan called ITTE-Q, who had flown in for the event. They beat The Malcolm Marden, manager at was purchased in Headcorn; Fairies (pictured), who knocked out defending champions The Grannies. Worley’s Court Lodge Farm in badgers were causing a Organiser Mike FitzGerald said the event was fantastic and much Kenward Road, Yalding, says the headache in Loose; items were enjoyed by everyone who attended, including the Mayor of Maidstone bug, first recorded in the UK in stolen from a charity bin in Mar- Cllr Daniel Moriarty, who presented the trophies. 2012, first reared its h e a d den; Japanese knotweed was an For more pictures, go to www.ginoandsharonphotography.co.uk on his farm last year. 10 ongoing problem in Nettlestead.
www.charterwood.co.uk Charterwood For ALL your Mobility needs Newnham Court Shopping Village t 9-5 n-Sa -4 FREE Mo y 11 Notcutts Garden Centre, Maidstone unda king S Par LIVERY EE DE FR (Next to Pennies Nursery) TEL: 01622 631511 Advertisement feature downsmail.co.uk Expand your business on the web with Webexpand IF you are considering a new website, or “A Website should make you updating your existing website in line with your growing business, Webexpand can help. money, not cost you money” Established in 2004, by David McCord, local business Webexpand has helped hundreds of David genuinely took the time to business owners to achieve a strong on-line web fully understand our business and presence that is vital for creating and developing Webexpand created a fantastic new customers. website for us. We have had Webexpand became a limited company in 2008 many comments about the look and now has offices near M20 Junction 4, close and style of our website and it has to West Malling, plus offices close to M20 helped us stand out online, which Junction 8 Maidstone. It’s been a great pleasure to work with David is tough being a start up! Since Webexpand cut out the tech jargon and provide – he deserves recognition for his excellent then we have used Webexpand to expert advice in simple, plain English. With more work and customer service than 30 years experience, Webexpand will listen further develop our website to your ideas and then provide the best solutions friendly. We have achieved Google page 1 content, build an e-commerce for you. The firm will show you how many people positions for many businesses across a diverse site and more recently for SEO per month search for your business services and range of sectors and helped them expand, so if work. Our e-commerce site went advise on the best marketing methods to help you wish to expand your business on the web, call live for deliveries and we have your business grow on-line. us now on 01732 842454.” already had an unprecedented David said: “You can increase your enquiries by Webexpand can either advise over the telephone, level of sales through our web nearly five times if your website is mobile phone or if you prefer, face to face in a meeting. platform. What more can we say! Main Services include: Thank you Webexpand! • Marketing / Search Engine Promotion • Web Site Design Alex Auger - The Juice Executive • E-Commerce Websites • Hosting • Email • Web Site Maintenance www.thejuiceexecutive.co.uk 01732 842454 Webexpand Ltd www.webexpand.co.uk West Malling & Maidstone Kent
Special offers on new caravans Kent’s Premier New & Used Caravan Dealer
New Caravans Used Caravans Leisure Shop Our Location View the latest range of brand Offering a great selection of Please also visit the The Lee Davey Caravan new Bailey and Coachman top quality used caravans. At Lee Davey onsite Leisure Showroom and Leisure Shop caravans at our large indoor Lee Davey Caravans we cherry Shop. Fully stocked are located in the heart of Kent, showroom. Offering luxurious pick our range of used caravans with an extensive range approximately Ä ve minutes caravans that are extremely which are all fully serviced and of accessories to further from Junction 8 of the M20, well designed, well equipped prepared to exceptionally high enhance your caravan just off the A20 in Harrietsham, and affordable. standards. experience. Maidstone, ME17 1HN.
For more information please call: Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30pm Visit our New 01622 859301 Sunday Awning Showroom www.leedaveycaravans.co.uk 10.00am - 4.00pm
2 Maidstone South July 2015 downsmail.co.uk News Homes agreed TEN homes can be built in Sutton Party marks pub opening Valence after a proposal went through on appeal. ONE of Yalding’s oldest pubs, the spotted the business on the inter- The applicant appealed on the 15th century George, has re- net and travelled from Bexley to grounds of Maidstone Council’s opened with a bang. view it, its future was set. non-determination of the plan for Food and drink flowed at a Julie Chalker, who helps run the the four and five-bedroom homes launch party for locals, marking pub with son Chris and his step- off Maidstone Road. the re-opening of the Benover dad Tony Brett, said: “We loved it It will see the demolition of The Road pub that closed in October from the moment we saw it. It re- Oaks, an Edwardian family home in last year following the retirement ally grabbed us.” a 4.13-acre plot close to the Warm- of previous landlord Joe Morris. The traditional pub, popular lake Road junction. There had been fears that locals with tourists, ramblers, canoeists The planning inspector said that might lose their 15th century local and anglers, is set to become a pop- in the absence of a local plan the de- following the retirement of the 80- ning application to turn the prop- ular family pub thanks to the new velopment, by Country House De- year old publican, particularly erty into flats, should a sale not be beer garden and a plan to max- velopments, would not cause harm after Joe – Kent’s longest reigning forthcoming. imise use of the outside space by to the character and appearance of landlord at 47 years – put in a plan- But after the Chalker family the river with a jetty. the area and would not increase the risk of accidents in any significant way. Red rose presented in payment for green Cannabis haul A TRADITION is being kept alive in Sutton Valence with the handing over of a single red rose in payment CANNABIS plants were seized by for its village green. police after officers discovered a The green was offered to the parish council on a 99- makeshift drug factory in Yalding. year lease by Sutton Valence Independent School for Almost 100 plants were found community use in 1957. The payment required – a sin- growing in two metal containers on gle red rose delivered each year as close to mid-sum- land off Hampstead Lane after offi- mer’s day as possible – has been carried out ever since. cers from Maidstone heard the Parish council chairman Cllr Eileen Riden handed over buzzing of a generator. There was the rose on the green, surrounded by every child from also a strong smell of cannabis and the public school. The “payment” was received by head- the lights were on in the building. master Bruce Grindley. The plants were taken away for Cllr Riden said: “This is an important occasion, which disposal following the discovery. I get quite nervous about, but it is a fabulously quaint Anyone with information should this historic event and the part the school has to play in ceremony. The parish has an extremely good relation- call police on 101 or Kent the community. I hope the ceremony, with the choir and ship with the school and it is good for pupils to witness Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. its speeches, continues for the next 49 years!”
TIMBER FENCINGFENCCING GATES Treat your garden to a Hair and Beauty Summer makeover Fence Panels Trellis & Lattice Get Set for Timber Posts Summer Wire Fencing Concrete products • Spray Tanning £20 Arches & Arbours • Shellac Nails £25 Over 60? Tues 10% off • Lycon pain CHALLENGE Decking FENCING free waxing Sleepers • Eyebrow & Garden Furniture Eyelash tinting Sheds/Log Cabins Gates
Book your appointment now Mon-Fri : 7.30-5pm SaSaturday:turrdday: 8.00-1pm
01622 817800 Huge Choice - Largee Stocks - Great Prices www.hairtraditionalmaidstone.co.uk 01622 296 313 1 Bow Road, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5DD www.challengefencing.com 217-223 Sutton Road. Maidstone. Kent ME15 9BJ (free parking) hairtraditionalmaidstone DelivDeliverieseries throughoutthroughout SE London, EastEast SussexSussex and KentKent
Maidstone South July 2015 3 News downsmail.co.uk J8 site back on planning agenda
MAIDSTONE Council’s left hand Brice, plus Ukip Cllr Dave Sergeant. KCC, Natural England, Leeds Castle has been accused of not knowing Economic development manager and the Kent Downs Area of Out- what its right hand is doing. John Foster argued development standing Natural Beauty Unit spoke Members voted in favour of using would be needed at junction 8 if at the inquiry into the Gallagher land near M20 Junction 8 for eco- Maidstone was to provide the 14,400 Group’s plan for land south of the nomic development and job cre- extra jobs required by 2031. A20 near junction 8, which they say ation, weeks after fighting a Officers said a recent phone sur- would harm the AONB and the set- planning appeal for the area. vey was in favour of development, ting of Leeds Castle. Maidstone’s policy and resources although opponents claimed the The result of the public inquiry is committee agreed to approve an questionnaire was skewed. not yet known. John Horne, a mem- economic development strategy Cllr Round, who represents Head- ber of Thurnham Parish Council supporting development at junction corn, said he was aware of just 50 who chairs the Joint Parishes Group, 8, leaving those who fought the pro- people in his ward who were said: “This is not the way a responsi- posed Gallagher development at quizzed. However, since news of the ble local authority should be run.” Waterside Park aghast. council’s alleged U-turn had broken, Despite the council’s opposition to Richard Knox-Johnston, vice-pres- he had been inundated with emails, Waterside Park, officers now say: established and its development is ident of CPRE Kent (pictured right), phone calls and visits. “The strategic case for a new em- critical to ensuring that the principle said: “It is extraordinary that after a CPRE Kent, 16 parish councils, ployment site at junction 8 has been aim of the strategy is achieved.” three-week public inquiry at which Maidstone Council spent hundreds of thousands of pounds fighting de- Development ‘could bring crime increase’ velopment at junction 8, councillors are now being asked to pre-empt the PROSTITUTES and illegal immi- Farm, Ashford Road, comes within such as this can bring many differ- planning inspector’s decision and ig- grants could head for Hollingbourne weeks of an anticipated announce- ent types of crime such as theft nore all its own arguments against if industrial development is allowed ment from planning inspector Katie from vehicles, theft of vehicles, theft development, as well as everyone to go ahead near J8 of the M20. Peerless over a site on the opposite of fuel, trailer theft, illegal immi- else’s concerns, and promote devel- The warning comes from Kent Po- side of the road at Waterside Park. gration, parking issues, prostitu- opment there. lice which issued a list of possible John Grant, crime prevention ad- tion, littering and fly-tipping.” “Clearly the left hand doesn’t repercussions if development at the visor for Kent Police, cites a long list Mr Grant added that the force’s know what the right hand is doing.” Cllr Paulina Stockell attempted to site is allowed to proceed. of potential problems which could counter-terrorism department have junction 8 taken out of the strat- The warning that theft from – and arise if commercial development is would need to be consulted, as it egy, but gained support from only of – vehicles is likely to increase if permitted near Woodcut Farm. might be necessary to include lanes three more members – fellow Con- Roxhill Developments is granted per- In a letter to the Maidstone plan- for vehicle-checking and searching. servatives Martin Round and Louise mission to develop land at Woodcut ning department, he said: “A site See Comment – page 31 All LOADS Ltd Loose or Bags 01622 873 231 Specialists in supplying aggregates Top Soil • Sand & Ballast Free Delivery
•Turf •Top Soil •Mushroom Compost www.allloads.co.uk email:[email protected]
4 Maidstone South July 2015 downsmail.co.uk News Still hope of Mote return for Kent By Dennis Fowle TALK among cricket spectators at The club’s view The Mote during a Kent 2nd XI JAMIE Clifford, chief executive of three-day runs feast against Essex Kent County Cricket Club, told the 2nds was: “When will first-class Downs Mail: “Kent Cricket re- cricket return to Maidstone?” mains committed to taking The popular, well-maintained cricket around the county. ground looked at its very best in “The Mote CC is of course a tra- the June sun and cars lined the ditional home of Kent fixtures south bank of the natural arena for and it remains the hope that the the treasured view of the game club will see a return of first-team with the tree-lined North Downs cricket to the venue in the future. as the backdrop. “There is much work required The wicket, cause of a controver- before that point can be reached, sial ECB points deduction for Kent but we will continue to support when the last first-class fixture was The Mote CC in the aspirations played in 2005, now favoured bats- they have for the development of men. the ground.” Kent scored 400-7 declared and 285 against Essex’s 342 and 249 to antiquated and has health and win by 94 runs in growing tension safety and youth protection issues. with six overs remaining. The Mote Cricket Club have ap- Maidstone sports followers and proved a development proposal members of Kent County Cricket for its demolition and a rebuild to Club keep asking when the first- create a high-quality centre of class game will return and the an- “sporting and community excel- nual Maidstone cricket festival will lence”, including adequate parking again be the social and sporting and an improved forecourt and highlight of Maidstone’s summer. road structure. Kent County Cricket Club say This is dependent financially on they want to return to highly-pop- an enabling residential develop- ulated mid-Kent, but must ensure ment mostly on the upper pitch the ground and facilities meet used by tenants Maidstone Rugby modern high standards. Club whose lease/licence expires in www.stonegreennurseries.co.uk The major problem now is that May next year. The cricket club the 100-year-old pavilion, built and have been liaising with Maidstone gifted by the 1st Lord Bearsted, is Council for the past four years. STONE GREEN NURSERIES River festival ‘could have council support’ Wholesale Nursery open to the public 3rd-5th July and 28th-31st August MAIDSTONE Council’s new ad- At its peak, the river festival ministration could agree to back a pulled in up to 10,000 visitors, but We grow our fantastic range of plants with passion and pride new-style river festival if it has suf- the economic climate, together for garden designers, landscapers, local nurseries, farm shops ficient public support. with health and safety issues, and other horticulture outlets. The council has said it wants to mean costs have been rising and make greater use of the river as an administration is more complex. We invite you to our open days attraction and Cllr David Naghi Last year the boat owners pro- We have a truly exquisite selection to offer you from the tried wants the council’s heritage, cul- moted a gathering which pulled in ture and leisure committee to sup- more than 100 boats from through- and tested to the more unusual. port the festival. out Britain. Huge range and fair prices In the meantime, the boating The previous administration ve- community is gearing up for an- toed a request for support this year Your selection will come from our growing beds, other fun-filled festival afloat. as the gathering coincides with the you can’t buy fresher Social media is once again Ramblin’ Man Fair and the council If you have a taste for plants we can offer you a feast. buzzing with news of an unofficial claimed there would not be suffi- “boat gathering”, due to take place cient resources to cope with secu- on July 25. rity and litter clearing for both. *Shrubs*Trees*Herbaceous perennials*Climbers* Mark Smurthwaite, from the The costs of patrolling by the po- *Large plants for instant impact* River Medway Boaters, said: “The lice and Environment Agency were 9am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun and BHM. river festival is about the boating another factor which influenced its community and has only ever been decision – yet both still attended Truly a gardener’s paradise successful because of them. We do the unofficial gathering last year. Pluckley Road Bethersden TN26 3ET not need fun fairs, stalls and bands Cllr Naghi said: “I would like to – it’s all about the boats. see the river festival re-launched as Please remember we are only open on these dates “We plan to get as many boats in a family attraction. It will never re- We accept most major credit cards Maidstone again this year as is turn in its old form without council For detailed directions please use website possible and will show everyone support, as it is all on public land Follow day –glow signs from A20 at Charing and A28 at Bethersden that the boating community is and the organisers will be liable if alive and very much kicking.” anything goes wrong.”
Maidstone South July 2015 5 News downsmail.co.uk Trampoline park Ilsa to shape town’s future THE future of Maidstone town cen- tre has been placed in the hands of a new “change co-ordinator”. plan at nightclub Ilsa Butler (36) has been ap- pointed by Maidstone Town Centre WONDERLAND, one of Maid- diversify the leisure offer at Lock- Management (MTCM) as its change stone's largest nightclubs, is set to meadow and increase the footfall to co-ordinator for the next 12 months. close and be replaced with a tram- the area. Her priorities will be to separate poline facility. “It would not operate outside the the crime reduction partnership There has been a nightclub in the opening hours of other facilities Maidsafe away from MTCM as a Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre available to Lockmeadow and stand-alone business and to man- since it was built in the late 1990s. would remove the amenity issues age the gradual absorption of the Before recently being taken over associated with people arriving and Town Team functions of events, by Wonderland, it was occupied by leaving the club late in the evening marketing and regeneration under nightspots including Ikon, Liquid or early morning. the MTCM umbrella. and Envy. “It would result in a significant The temporary post was created But the attraction in Barker Road improvement from the existing following the retirement of former is due to close in August, and Land nightclub in terms of character, en- town centre manager Bill Moss. further engaging with businesses Securities has applied to Maidstone vironmental impact and amenity.” Advertised with a salary of £26- and organisations to find out more Council for it to be converted into a The £1.8m proposal, which prom- £30,000, the job sought someone about their needs and the role that centre for leisure activities for chil- ises to increase the number of jobs on who could “develop and implement the company can play in and dren and families. the site from 31 to 65, comes two a strategy and plan for the coordi- around the town centre.” A supporting statement for Grav- years after neighbouring nightclub nation of town centre activities Ilsa’s job will involve liaising with ity Fitness Limited said: “The pro- Jumpin’ Jaks was replaced by a Hol- within Maidstone”. Maidstone Council, the police, char- posed trampoline facility would lywood Bowl bowling alley. Andy Davy, MTCM chairman, ities, businesses and churches to said: "Ilsa was the stand-out candi- come up with options for the cre- date from the 35 applicants who ation of a new organisation to co- Detached homes plan for village applied for the job in displaying the ordinate and manage Maidstone DEVELOPER Wealden Homes has applied to build three four-bed- vision and creative thinking neces- Town Centre. room detached homes in Kenward Road, Yalding, next to Eastwells. sary in driving the business forward." She will also be looking to see if Each home would have a garage and two parking spaces. Ilsa, who lives in Chart Sutton, at- there is an enthusiasm for creating “This is a simple extension of the existing house style in the road,” tended Cornwallis School. She has a Business Improvement District said a supporting statement. stepped up from her personal assis- (Bid) in the town. Bid members pay Doug Worley, who owns the land, wrote: “The piece of ground has tant and administrative roles at an additional levy to fund projects no agricultural value and as long as sight lines for traffic are observed MTCM to fulfil the secondment. and improve facilities within the Bid it would not impact on me or my farming business.” She said: “MTCM looks forward to area.
Your local provider of HAMILTON Stove Installations & Servicing KITCHENS Chimney Sweeping
Fireplace Alterations SALE
NOW ON