GIANT CABLE CUTS SWATHE THROUGH NORTH MAIDSTONE
November 30, 2004 12:00 AM
Plans to dig up a large part of North East Maidstone have come to light. EDF, the electricity connections company, is poised to start work on laying the main cable to the planned Allington incinerator.
Cllr. Featherstone says "This is a failure of our democracy."
Margaret Featherstone, Liberal Democrat Member for Maidstone North East, has obtained a copy of the plans - five A1 sheets - which show the route. Starting in Lenfield Avenue, it will go up through Vinters Park Estate, through the protected and ancient Heath Wood, across Penenden Heath and down Sandling Lane, to pass through Invicta Park and down Dickens Road to the river.
Margaret said: "Liberal Democrat Councillors and Maidstone Borough Council have consistently opposed the Allington incinerator as damaging to Maidstone. We are now realising just what damage will be caused by its construction.
"Apparently this has all been agreed without elected Councillors being informed, or any public consultation.
"The proposed route reminds me of Chesterton's line "The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head". It makes a lengthy detour, following a huge semi-circle rather than a straight line.
"The potential damage is huge. Many trees will be at risk - the mature cherry trees on Vinters Park, huge old oak trees in Heath Wood and Upper Fullingpits Wood, elm and chestnut in Sandling Lane. It will close the main entrance to Eastborough Primary School, and is delaying urgent road repairs on Ringlestone.
"Because this is a public utility, planning permission is not required. No one else would be able to plan works which will cause such damage and inconvenience without planning permission, public consultation and strict conditions being imposed.
"This is a failure of our democracy."