St. John's CEP School, Grove Green
Due to families re-locating, St. John's school have vacancies in Year 3. Any interested parties should contact the school on 01622 735916 or call into the school office.
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Kent International Gateway
Thousands already had their say on KIG
More than 3,500 people have commented on the Kent International Gateway planning application.
Kent International Gateway Ltd has applied for outline planning permission for a rail/road freight interchange including warehousing, offices and light industrial units on a 112 hectares site close to junction 8 of the M20 at Bearsted. The planning application includes more than 20 documents including a large two volume environmental impact assessment.
The official consultation ended period ended on 27 November, although Maidstone Borough Council will consider comments right up until the date of the decision.
Of the 3,500 responses received, seven were from individual parish councils as well as a further joint response from 14 parish councils. About 1,500 comments were made through the council’s website. A huge majority of comments raise objections to the application.
The council has undertaken massive consultation, and wrote to up to 3,000 people who live near to the site, put up over 40 notices in the areas near to the application site, sent details to libraries and parish councils, put all the information about the application on the home page of the website, worked with newspapers, radio and television to publicise the application and met with representatives of interest groups.
Statutory and other consultees that have been consulted include Kent County Council, the Highways Agency, the South East England Regional Assembly, Network South East and the Government Office for the South East.
Everyone can comment on the application in writing to Rob Jarman, 13 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8HG or by email to KIGcomments@maidstone.gov.uk.
A web site, www.STOPKIG.org, has been set up to give information. This site is being updated frequently, and you can sign up for
email updates if you wish. If you do not have an email address you can request information by telephoning 01622 621077.
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Hospital development: The latest information is that the Article 14 has been removed by the Highway Agency and the parish council expects that the consideration of the planning application will resume.
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Maidstone Studios
At the Maidstone Borough Council Planning Committee on the 30th August permission was given for the development of 142 dwellings at Maidstone Studios. Mr Stead Chairman of the Parish Council, Mrs Hinder Borough Councillor and Mr Hiscock (representing Vinters Valley Park Trust and the local residents) spoke against the planning application plus many hundreds of residents objected by letters and a petition, but in the end were not successful in stopping it.
Over 23 conditions have been attached to this permission to try to alleviate the impact on the community and the Nature Reserve but ultimately the economic value and status of Maidstone Studio decided the issue with 9 councillors voting for it and 2 against, having been proposed by Cll. M. Greer (Boxley ward).Section 106 contributions are being made by the developer including
- £50,000 contribution to off site enhancement of public open space.
- £25,000 contribution to Vinters Valley Park Nature Reserve.
- provision of a pedestrian crossing from the studios to Grove Green.
- some work to 2 local bus stops.
Part of the agreement is that money raised from the residential development is to be invested in the Studios to ensure that they survive.
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Go to the Parish Council minutes, the planning page and Boxley Parish Mail pages for more information.