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& Fortnightly No. 246 Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper News
October 2017
Panto ahoy!
March 3rd – March 16th THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be
downsmail.co.uk
The people’s homes staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto.
On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Stefan Booth (Prince Charming), ElizaTHREE prime locations in Maidstone beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, scheme to create 1,000 council houses, Stephen Richards and Adam Borzone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runspage from 8 December 1-31. For tickSee ets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.
have been earmarked as part of a Downs Mail has learned.
Aimed at creating affordable housing for local people, the sites – one in the town centre and two Maidstone locations further south – are being targeted. Other plots are also being investigated, said leader of Maidstone Borough Council David Burton. He refused to discuss the detail of the three sites, which could provide “a substantial start” to the initial 1,000 he pledged. Other sites are being investigated. Cllr Burton said: "I said we'd crack on with the affordable council housing and I meant it. We're being required by the Government to provide all this housing, but there is not enough for local people CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a – the emphasis has to shift." During the budget debate at full country road have been made by the local boroughcouncil, councillor. Cllr Burton mentioned afwaste carriers,for butlocal beBurberry Lane, near Leeds and nearby, more than a year after it unlicensed fordable homes “securing lieves to small slice firms of of disBroomfield, has been targeted by was dumped and set on fire. peoplethea cost significant the The church car park has also seen posing construction at a waste dumpers for years, but in rehousingof growth imposedwaste upon us”. cent months, the problem has be- many instances of illegal dumping. transfer proving a deterDownsstation Mail isunderstands the But it is a problem in many rural rent come more acute. that iswould costinghave councils more. housing to include Construction waste, rubble, hard areas including Langley, Otham some Cllr for Fort made her remarks as private sale, so that there core, windows and household fur- and Kingswood. Water Lane in one of the would be borough’s a blend ofclosest peopletransand niture is left illegally – often strewn Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have fer stations at North Farm, Tunresidence type. also been targeted recently. in the middle of the road. bridge Wells,to announced it will for be According the Department Last year, Maidstone Borough closed Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month for Up, 10 weeks. Levelling Housing and Comwe are having toilets, sinks and Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- munities, She added: “If you gohas alongbuilt the Maidstone construction waste dumped in the ping and this year more than 163 line of increasing to more dwellings fines, thanthey anyhave other village, specifically in Burberry have been recorded since April. be enforced. A reduction in the Kent authority. Lane, where we are now thinking The approaching darker evenings charge or offering it free may have Against an imposed target of of installing cameras on private will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. the desired similar effect.” 2,279, the authority has overseen Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia- the land, to oversee the problem area.” Aconstruction three-monthly litter pick on the of 3,878 homes beA recent event in Burberry Lane tive by the Environment Agency mile-long stretch of road through tween April 2018 and March 2021 – saw a caravan burned out while a and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- Leeds village produces an average more than 1,000 higher than second torched car remains on a footpath dards Agency to clamp down on 32 black sacks of rubbish. place Ashford Borough Council. Cllr Fort, who also serves as a Thurnham parish councillor parish councillor, says teaching John Horne said Maidstone’s perchildren about social responsibility formance is “probably not the sort and the issue of litter in schools will of accolade we would like”. help take the issue off the streets. If believes local authorities dohousehold not meet She with every Government targets, councils could receiving a weekly refuse collection YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT be stripped ofistheir planning service, there no excuse forpowlitter ers, allowing a “free all” for demaidstone@martinco.com being thrown fromforvehicles or velopers in tothe apply to build where 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent dumped road. they like.
Knife Angel in town
CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping
01622 690290
Home Alarms supplied and fitted MAIDSTONE TREE SERVICES • Tree removal Professional Tree Services
Kate, No. 107, 314 dies
KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son 3 News David has disclosed.
Jubiliee feePlan joy bid MP’s Local
PEOPLEWhately planning a street HELEN asked the party for the Queen’s Jubilee government to halt the this year will not face fees to 4 borough’s housing scheme. close a road à3
Plans for Dr Nigel Hospice’s new shop
THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet HEART of Kent Hospice has will walkanother the Grand opened shop - 12 Canyon à6 this timefor in charity. The Mall.
Jason Donovan date Lambing dog threat
THE Neighbours startold brings DOGformer owners are being tohis show to the Hazlitt keep their pets under control as 18 Theatre next enter May. the rural areas
à8
lambing season.
Barrister court doubt A BARRISTER has challenged the feasibility of a à10 new crown court.
Rugby club worry A RUGBY club claims a new community hall could force its clsoure. à16
Obituaries
32
à27 Obituaries Parish Councils 34-35 ASH dieback has been discovered in à 29 Parishes Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stallà37-39 Comment holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed Road safety call to allow for Buffkyn Way, Otham, buses throughParish Imperial Park; rubTHURNHAM Council wants bish binscyclists in the field in walkers, andsports riders to have Kingswood are tofrom be moved road protection dan- over to the picnic area and rear exit.à19 gerous driving.
Crime Reports
35
Bus cull concerns VEHICLES have been driven over
CONCERNSinhave been raised over farmland Lenham, causing proposedtomajor cutsanto attempted damge crops; à24a Kent buswas services. break-in reported in Detling; vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins Park and ride goes were stolen from an allotment in MAIDSTONE has officially said Lenham. goodbye to its Park & Ride service after 33 years trans 46-47 Comment à26 porting the public.
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