This
project is financed by the LSC, SEEDA and
the European Social Fund
LOCAL
NEWS
KENT AND MEDWAY
Government Subsidises Affordable Homes for Kent
The Government has announced it is to invest £17 million in affordable homes for Kent, bringing nearly 558 new homes to the county by 2011. The money was awarded through the Housing Corporation, the Government agency for affordable housing, which promises that the homes it delivers will feature improved designs and more environmentally friendly features. The affordable homes will be available to local residents priced out of the current housing market and special provision will be given to families and the elderly. A mix of rented accommodation and accommodation to buy will be offered. The funding has implications for the continued buoyancy of the local construction labour market.
Source: Kent News, 26th Feb 2008
South East Growth Powered by Exports
The UK’s biggest business organisation, the CBI, has reported that small and medium sized manufacturers in the South East enjoyed a growth in export rates in the last three months of 2007. The region exhibited the strongest overseas orders it has recorded in the last twelve years but despite this, a CBI South East representative has voiced concerns for performance in the present quarter. The general economic slowdown is expected to result in a decrease in demand and smaller businesses are expected to raise their prices to offset rising input costs. If the region is to continue performing strongly, it will be necessary to improve both product and process innovation.
Source: Kent News, 12th Feb 2008
Government Backed Report Threatens Grammar Schools
The 33 grammar schools in Kent, run by Kent County Council, could be under threat if the Government decides to act upon a new study commissioned by the DCSF, and undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Social Research. The study has concluded that selection by ability/attainment is correlated with the social background of students, resulting in many faith schools and grammar schools being socially exclusive. In order to eradicate social bias in education, the report recommends either phasing out selection by attainment, or taking steps to ensure an equal spread of social representation in those qualifying for the 11-plus test. Other proposals put forward in the report include an increased use of a postcode lottery system to determine secondary school places; and ‘banding’ which ensures that students from the top; middle; and lower tiers of ability bands are placed in all secondary schools. Selection by ability is already enforced, since many more girls would pass the 11+ if gender segregation were not applied.
Source: Kent News, 1st Feb 2008
Funding for Kent Schools
The Government has decided to award Kent County Council (KCC) £1.8 billion as part of its Building Schools for the Future programme. Before the council can receive this money, it must re-think the plans it submitted after the Government complained they did not represent value for money and would not sufficiently transform standards. The Kent Building Schools for the Future programme was launched in 2006 and aims to either renew or rebuild all of its secondary schools over a period of 10 to 15 years if revised plans are accepted. If successful, it would allow KCC to combine substantial capital investment in both improved ICT facilities and state-of-the-art buildings.
Sources: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 8th Feb 2008/Kent County Council Website, 17th Dec 2007
New Buildings for the University of Greenwich
Three new student residences, able to accommodate more than 140 students, are being built at the Medway campus of the University of Greenwich. The work, which is currently underway, will cost £4.8 million and should be completed for students to use by September, the beginning of the 2008/09 academic year. The new residences are being built on a brownfield site near Johnson Avenue and will feature fully equipped kitchens; social living areas; ensuite shower facilities; and internet connections for every room. They will be situated near the existing Merlin and Wolfe Halls which are also due for refurbishment later in the year.
Source: University of Greenwich Website, 15th Feb 2008
New Jobs and Homes for Strood
Property developer, Helvig Ltd, has put forward plans to build 145 homes and several industrial units on the former Fintrade Industrial Centre site, creating 200 jobs for the local area. The development has gained support from the local community with plans to provide homes for a mixture of people from first-time buyers to families. A quarter of the homes are planned to be ‘affordable housing’ with the remainder being made available for both rent and sale. A development consultant has expressed hope that the development can be finished by the end of 2008 but before construction can begin, Medway Council must approve plans for the site. Land bordered by Priory Road, Knight Road, and a railway line must also be decontaminated. The proposed site covers 3 hectares in all, with 1.1 hectares planned for workshops; warehouses; and small office units.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 8th Feb 2008
New Academy for Strood
A new education academy is to be built in Strood, based on the merger of two local schools. Medway Council’s cabinet made the decision to merge Temple School for boys in Cliffe Road and Chapter School for girls in Carnation Road, despite protests from students at both establishments. The new academy will place an increased emphasis on vocational skills and will be built on the Chapter School site. Medway Council reached its decision after the results of a consultation found that 55% of respondents were in favour of a mixed school and 35% of respondents were in favour of the creation of an academy. Parents from Chapter School are worried that Temple School has discipline problems and poor examination results and that as a result overall standards may drop after the merger. It is hoped the move will be complete by September 2009.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 22nd Feb 2008
Company to Expand at Kent Science Park
Vivacta, a diagnostic medical devices company based at Kent Science Park, has secured a £6 million funding boost from the major European Venture Capital firms, AGF Private Equity and HBM BioVentures. This cash injection will help the company with its plans to double the size of its existing facility and develop a pilot manufacturing line for its patented Piezofilm disposable sensors. These sensors remove the need for doctors to send blood samples to external laborotaries. Instead, the sensors can be used to test samples on-site. Vivacta is currently in the evaluation stage of development for its new product and is in talks with a number of potential licencees keen to exploit the sensor’s possibilities.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 13th Feb, 2008
New Hotel for Chatham Historic Dock Yard
A new hotel, the Ramada Encore, has opened at Chatham Historical Dockyard. It is the newest addition to the Medway Regeneration Project and it is hoped that its fun, vibrant, and relaxed values will prove popular with tourists. The Medway Regeneration Plan seeks to encourage as many tourists as possible to visit the area’s attractions. Developments like the Ramada Encore hotel will play a major role in this strategy. The hotel will also provide services to the local council and businesses.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 12th Feb 2008
Expansion of Vegetable Delivery Business
The Old Dairy Vegetable Box Project has expanded its business in Maidstone and Medway to serve Cranbrook, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, and Sevenoaks. The award winning project, which delivers fresh local produce to Kent residents, sources all of its produce from a 35 mile radius of its base in Langley near Maidstone. The project’s director claims that his business is having positive effects on the local area including supporting the local economy and benefiting the environment. The growth of the business reflects a growing demand for local produce with farmers receiving better prices for their produce from Old Dairy than from supermarkets. It also means that more local land has gone back into production. Visit http://www.kentvegbox.co.uk for more information.
Source: Kent & Sussex Courier, 15th Feb 2008.
Furnishing Store Jobs for Sittingbourne
The opening of a new 28,200 sq ft Dunelm Mill Furniture store at Sittingbourne Retail Park will bring roughly 100 jobs to the area. The store will open this spring, either in April or May. As many as 30% of the jobs offered will be made available to single parents; the disabled; and the long-term sick as part of the Local Employment Partnership Scheme, operated by Jobcentre Plus, that Dunelm Mill has joined. The arrival of the company in Sittingbourne has been heralded as a significant boost to the area’s regeneration. Dunelm currently owns over 85 stores nationwide and employs over 5,000 staff.
Source: Kent Messenger, 21st Feb 2008
Sittingbourne Skills Centre Summit
Kent County Council invited businesses in the town to have their say on how Sittingbourne Skills Centre could provide the best skills training possible for young people when it opens this September. It is hoped the centre will be able to provide the local community with skilled young people who can be employed to aid in the town’s imminent regeneration programme. It is thought that, due to current concern for environmental issues, eco-issues will be high on the list of priorities for skills training at the centre.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 20th Feb 2008
Sittingbourne Grammar Schools Bid for Foundation Status
Borden and Highsted Grammar Schools in Sittingbourne are both bidding for foundation status. If they are successful in their bids, the schools will become admissions authorities; own their own buildings and grounds; and be able to employ their own staff. Representatives from each school cite the increased autonomy foundation status will afford as a major incentive for their decisions to bid.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 13th Feb 2008
Good Inspection at Hartsdown
Hartsdown College in Swanley has received a good report after an Ofsted inspection. Several aspects of the school received particular praise: including a therapeutic intervention unit for students with emotional needs; and a transition school for year 7 students. The inspectors praised the sixth form, which has the highest uptake of students since it was introduced, and its students for providing a positive contribution to the local community. Sixth formers at Hartsdown take part in such activities as helping out with lessons for younger students and volunteering in primary schools. Students were also keen to stress to inspectors that they enjoy attending the college. Ofsted also highlighted the quality of careers advice available at the school and the fact that increasing numbers of students were progressing on to university.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 22nd Feb 2008
Greenacre School praised by Ofsted
Ofsted inspectors have deemed the provision offered by Greenacre School in Walderslade, which has specialist sports status, to be ‘good’ with improvements also being made. Students’ self discipline and the good links the school has made with the community were attributed to its sport and ICT emphasis. The inspection found that many students start their education at Greenacre with low levels of achievement but they progress on to achieve GCSE grades A* to C which are in line with national standards, thus showing good added value. The school’s provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities was also seen as a positive attribute as was its sixth form provision. Finally, the report praised the leadership and management team for contributing significantly to Greenacre’s improvement.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 29th Feb 2008
Another Shop Closes in Chatham
The Altered Image women’s clothing store, part of the Pentagon Centre in Chatham, has been forced to cease trading. This comes just months after the centre’s two main eating establishments, Spud Murphy’s and the Picnic Basket, were also forced to close, fuelling fears that Chatham’s town centre is losing trade to Maidstone and the nearby Bluewater shopping mall. A Pentagon Centre representative has countered these fears by stating that despite retail having suffered in the current credit crunch, the centre is still performing satisfactorily. She also claims that it is the independent stores that find it more difficult to survive. Altered Image will close trading on the 15th March with all staff will facing redundancy.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 19th Feb 2008
Redundancies at Gravesend Care Home
As many as 20 staff will be made redundant at the Valley Lodge Residential Care Home in Gravesend after it was announced the home will close for two years for renovations. As well as the redundancies, the closure will mean the 23 residents of the home will have to be re-housed at short notice. During the closure, the home will undergo a £4 million refurbishment to bring it up to date with current safety standards. Improvements needing to be made to the home, which is managed by the charitable housing association, Abbeyfield Kent Society, include a complete re-wiring of the electrical circuitry. A spokesman for the society said that when the home is refurbished, it will be able to house 60 residents and will offer a higher level of care provision for a range of different needs.
Source: Gravesend Reporter, 13th Feb 2008
Uncertainty for Sheerness to Boulogne Ferry
Chikarashipping.com has decided not to take the opportunity of running a high-speed ferry route from Sheerness to Boulogne in France even though it was granted permission by representatives from both the French and Italian governments. The multi-million pound deal was struck in 2006 with ferries due to start running this year but the current situation now throws the future of the route into uncertainty. Hub Port Boulogne has now been given the contract, which also includes the right to carry freight along designated waterways from Sheerness to the continent. It is unclear whether Hub Port Boulogne will take up the ferry service. An additional part of the deal included a contract to build five jet powered craft for the route. There are still plans to build these craft which should be finished by May 2009.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 13th Feb 2008
Lydd Airport enjoys Improved Business
Lydd Airport has reported a busy start to 2008 resulting in a reported increase of jobs in such areas as operations; customer services; air traffic control; catering and the fire fighting and rescue service. The airport is currently waiting for planning permission from Shepway Council to expand its terminal building and increase the number of passengers it can handle to half a million a year. Plans have also been submitted to extend the runway. So far, £20 million has been invested in modernising the airport which saw a significant increase in business in the latter part of 2007. Aircraft movements increased during September, October, and November last year with October’s figure standing at 45% higher than the same month in 2006. Lydd airport representatives predict that business will continue to grow in the Spring and Summer.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 26th Feb 2008
Construction Courses Offered at South Kent College
South Kent College is hoping to address a skills shortage in the construction industry by offering 42 young people the chance to start a young apprenticeship scheme this September. The BTEC first diploma in construction is equivalent to five GCSEs and will be offered at all three of South Kent College’s campuses, located in Dover, Folkestone and Ashford. Students enrolling on the course from September will go to college for two days a week and spend one day a week after Easter doing work experience. In all, students will complete 50 days’ work experience as part of the course. As indicated by other stories, skills in the construction industry are in demand in the region. For more information on the opportunities available at South Kent College, call 0845 2078220
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 7th March 2008
Folkestone Shoe Shop will not Close
Footwear manufacturer Stead & Simpson was forced to call in administrator Pricewaterhouse Coopers in February after recording losses of £2.9 million last year. This led to fears of an estimated 2,700 job losses as 309 stores nationwide looked set to close. However, these fears proved to be unfounded after Stead & Simpson was recently bought by a newly formed company backed by its rival manufacturer Shoe Zone. The sale did not save every store; 37 stores deemed loss making were immediately closed. Fortunately, the Folkestone branch was not one of these and will remain open. Stead & Simpson is the second major shoe manufacturer in a matter of weeks to go into administration. Dolcis was recently forced to close 89 stores nationwide and shed nearly 600 jobs.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 14th Feb 2008
Low Average Wages in Dover and Deal
Recently published official figures show that the gap in average wages between Dover and Deal and the rest of Kent has widened over the past several years. In 2002, average wages in Dover and Deal were just £32 behind Kent’s average figure of £17,932 but figures from the Office of National Statistics show that in 2007, the area’s average wage was £2,014 behind the Kent average of £21,040. The Kent average has increased by £3,000 since 2002. These problems have been blamed on lack of investment; poor quality transport infrastructure; and a generally low level of skills in the available workforce. The latter problem is being addressed by many providers and stakeholders, such as South Kent College in Dover, through efforts to drive up the skill levels of school leavers.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 6th March 2008
Good News for Folkestone Store
Fears for the closure of the George clothing store in Folkestone, owned by Wal-Mart, have proved unfounded. Wal-Mart, owner of the supermarket chain ASDA, recently announced that it was closing 10 of its 11 stand alone George stores and re-fitting the 11th as an ASDA living store. This move comes after a four and a half year trial concluded that the ASDA living store format produces a better investment return than the George high street format. Fortunately, this will not affect the George store in Folkestone as it is directly attached to the ASDA store in Bouverie Place.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 13th March 2008/Northampton Chronicle & Echo, 7th March 2008
Destinations Sell Out at Kent International Airport
Flights to a number of summer destinations from Kent International Airport, including Croatia on the Adriatic Coast and Madeira, have completely sold out. Jersey and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands have also been popular as well as flights to Italy and Majorca. Local holiday providers Newmarket Holidays; Kent Escapes; and CI Travel Service Ltd have all experienced increased business since the start of 2008. This increase in bookings comes after the success of a holiday show held at the airport, located near Ramsgate, in January. This news bodes well for continued growth of this employment hub in an economically depressed part of Kent.
Source: Kent News, 27th Feb 2008
Thanet District Council Approves Plans for Turner Centre
Thanet District Council has unanimously approved plans for the £15 million Turner Contemporary Visual Arts venue, to be situated in part of the Rendezvous car park opposite the RNLI lifeboat station. The plans were approved by the Council’s planning committee subject to required changes to road signs and improvements to pedestrian and cycle access. The venue will consist of a gallery space incorporating works by JMW Turner; works by visitors to the galley; and a young people’s gallery. The building will also house a community space which will feature a café; a small shop; education space; and multi-purpose conference facilities for lectures, film screenings, and community use. David Chipperfield Architects will design the building, which will accommodate a glass façade cladding and windows looking out over the harbour.
Sources: Kent News, 21st Feb 2008/ Thanet District Council Website
Launch of East Kent Opportunities in Thanet
A new organisation, East Kent Opportunities, has been launched to spearhead the development of two major regeneration sites in Thanet, Eurokent and Manston Park. The organisation is a partnership between Kent County Council and Thanet District Council, and hopes to improve skills, training opportunities and to create jobs by developing the Eurokent and Manston Park sites. Eurokent is a 40 acre site near the Westwood Cross retail and leisure development. It currently houses the Jackey Baker sports field along with several other businesses. A new £6.5 million spine road is now under construction which will improve access to the Westwood Cross development and open up the Eurokent site.
The Manston Park site, formerly Kent International Business Park, is owned by Kent County Council and is situated near Kent International Airport. It is currently home to a number of businesses including Invicta Food; Avia Services; and Cummins Power Generation. East Kent Opportunities will now assume responsibility for the redevelopment of both sites.
Source: Kent News, 15th Feb 2008
Casino Opens in East Kent
A £5 million casino featuring slot machines; gaming tables; a poker room; and live music, has opened at the Westwood Cross Retail Park near Broadstairs. The G Casino replaces a similar establishment located in the town and will create 100 jobs for the area. The venue will add to attractions currently offered by the Westwood Cross Retail Park which include bars, shops, and a cinema. A representative from G Casino claims the new development is strictly for entertainment and leisure purposes rather than high stakes gambling but concerns that gambling should not be relied upon to regenerate the local economy have been raised by the Bishop of Dover.
Source: BBC website, 28th Feb 2008
Refurbishment for Charles Dickens School
The Charles Dickens School in Broadstairs is to be given a multi-million pound refurbishment over the next two years, funded by the Government’s Buildings for the Future programme with Kent County Council. Plans for work on the school include the construction of three new buildings and the refurbishment of established buildings. A new entrance hall will be built along with improved provision for modern languages; performing arts; music; and art departments. Students are also being asked to contribute to the refurbishment by suggesting landscaping designs. A consultation period began at the end of February this year and it is hoped that work can start this summer, with developers phasing construction to minimise disruption. The new buildings are scheduled to open in 2009.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 15th Feb 2008
Ursuline College Helped by Kent County Council
The financial difficulties at Ursuline College in Westgate are now believed to be much worse than originally thought. The college’s debt was first estimated to be around £100,000 but new figures estimate it to be in the region of £300,000. It is expected that Kent County Council will assume control of the school until a solution to the problems has been found. Part of the blame for the school’s financial woes is being attributed to a £1 million sports hall which was built in 2004 and gave Ursuline sports college status. The hall was supposed to be for community use but the public cannot use it as an access road, which is required to satisfy health and safety purposes, was not completed due to the college’s lack of funds. A decision has not yet been reached regarding who will take over the future running of the school.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 22nd Feb 2008
Cabot Financial Group Expands
Cabot Financial Group, whose head office is in Kings Hill, West Malling, has been ranked 89th in the Sunday Times second annual Deloitte Buyout Track 100. This table shows the 100 private equity backed companies in Britain with the fastest growing profits over the past two years. Cabot Financial Group, which specialises in consumer debt purchase, saw an annual profit growth of just over 27 per cent in 2007. Profits for the company rose from £14.8 million in the 2004/5 financial year to £24.1 million in the 2006/7 financial year. This is the group’s second consecutive appearance in the table and highlights its expansion from its beginnings ten years ago. The growth can be attributed to the group’s innovative practice of buying debt from banks and other lenders. Consumer debt has risen to £3 billion and Cabot has capitalised on this phenomenon to become one of the leading consumer debt purchasers in the UK and Europe. Its new headquarters in Kings Hill, employing 350 staff, were recently opened at a cost of £5 million (see story below).
Source: Kent Messenger, 21st Feb 2008
Kings Hill Business Park Thriving
The Kings Hill Business Park, described as being a ‘mixed-use community’, enjoyed an expansion in the number of businesses to which it plays host in 2007. 80,000 sq ft of property transactions were completed on the business park in 2007, one of the most important being the re-location of the 43,000 sq ft Cabot Financial (Europe) Ltd headquarters to the park (see story above). Kings Hill is owned by Liberty Property Trust UK and Kent County Council who have formed a public/private sector partnership. The park is expected to expand further over the coming years, attracting more people into the local community, a sizeable proportion of whom are already employed there.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 28th Feb 2008
Approval Given for New Care Home
A planning inspector has given approval for Sunrise Senior Living to build a three storey home in Bessels Green to accommodate 99 elderly people. The inspector over-ruled Sevenoaks District Council who had previously refused planning permission for the project due to their size and scale. The local residents also fear that a home for the elderly would create an unacceptable level of noise and activity. The planning inspector over-ruled these concerns and justified the decision to grant permission by claiming that increased housing provision needed to be made for the rising number of elderly people in the local area. Four houses currently on the site of the new building will be knocked down for the development, which will include 31 car parking spaces.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 21st Feb 2008
New Homes for Park Farm Estate
Planning permission has been given by Ashford Borough Council for 202 homes to be built on the Park Farm estate located close to the Ashford to Hastings railway line and the A2070. Two, three, and four bedroom homes will be provided by developers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes as well as cycle routes; playing fields; and a number of large public spaces. The council has also made it a condition of the agreement that the developers contribute towards local sports projects; primary and secondary education facilities; and other community initiatives.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 29th Feb 2008
Business Link Courses for Ashford
Business Link is offering courses in Ashford focusing on business start-up. Topics such as planning for success; winning and keeping customers; and managing money will be covered, with attendees being given a business folder at the end of every session to help them with their studies. Sessions will be held during the day; evenings; and at weekends and will also enable people with similar ideas to meet. For details on the next workshop, call 0845 6009006. You can also visit http://www.startupanswers.co.uk to download a free guide to starting up a business.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 29th Feb 2008
Inspector Approves Tonbridge Regeneration Plans
A Government inspector has approved plans to regenerate Tonbridge Wells town centre. The Centre Area Action Plan was submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in 2006 and then had to undergo a public examination last October. Despite having to make some technical changes and add monitoring plans, the Action Plan will be adopted by the Council on April 22nd this year. A major aspect of the plan is the development of new retail outlets in the centre of town to complement the high street rather than expanding to the east of Avenue le Puy. The approval of the Action Plan now means that more detailed development plans can be drawn up.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 22nd Feb 2008
Approval Given for Pembury Hospital
The South East Coast Strategic Health Authority recently put forward plans for a 512 bed PFI hospital to be built in Pembury for approval by the Department of Health (DOH). Construction could begin by the end of this year if the DOH approves the plans. If construction runs to schedule, the first facilities of the £230 million project could be open by November 2010, with the final phase of the hospital being completed by 2011/12. It is hoped the planned development will bring employment to the area as well as much-needed modern medical facilities.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 15th Feb 2008
Tunbridge Wells Shopping Centre receives Awards
The Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre in Tunbridge Wells has won two customer service awards from its owner Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd. The centre was awarded top performing centre worldwide, beating off competition from 119 other centres. It also won best UK centre, achieving an annual customer service rating of 99.4%. It is hoped the high quality of customer service provided by the centre will encourage repeat visits by shoppers to the Tunbridge Wells area, and spread good word-of-mouth reports to new shoppers, thus boosting the local economy.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 15th Feb 2008
Work to Start on Canterbury Museum
Work will begin this month on the redevelopment of the Beaney Institute Museum and Library. This work is part of an £11 million regeneration project involving an extension to the building and the provision of disabled access. Care will be taken to make the extension blend in with the rest of the Victorian building by using local bricks and clay tiles. The renovation will include a coffee bar; a shop; new galleries; a children’s library; and a large study area. Kingsbridge Villas and the toilets in Orange Street will need to be demolished to make way for the extension, but new toilets will be built including one fully accessible facility which will open 24 hours a day. Despite the fact that the application for the three storey extension and external and internal alterations is still under consideration, Canterbury City Council begin initial work on the site on the 12th March. A temporary library will be provided until the Institute is re-opened in 2011.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 29th Feb 2008
Progress for Marlowe Theatre Refurbishment
Following news in the last issue, councillors at Canterbury City Council recently voted unanimously to apply for planning permission for the refurbishment of the Marlowe Theatre. The project will cost £25 million with the city council paying between £13.5 and £16 million of the total cost. Kent County Council will contribute £4 million; the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is expected to contribute £2 million and the rest of the money will need to be raised privately. The refurbished theatre will accommodate a three tier auditorium with 1,200 seats allowing for better views and acoustics. Bigger shows will also be able to be staged and a smaller, more flexible performance space will also be added.
Source: Kent News 12th Feb 2008
Tesco Store at Riverhead to Expand
Sevenoaks District Council has given approval to plans for the Tesco store at Riverhead to expand. The decision is controversial and comes after a previous application for expansion by the store was rejected in February last year. Tesco appealed against the decision last October and Sevenoaks District Council decided not to fight the appeal. The decision to grant the expansion has been met with negative reactions from local residents opposed to the council’s decision.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 28th Feb 2008
New Domino’s Pizza Shop for Sevenoaks
A new Domino’s Pizza branch is set to open on St John’s Hill, bringing a possible 30 new jobs to the area. Three previous planning applications made by Domino’s were turned down by Sevenoaks District Council but a planning inspector overruled the council’s latest refusal, meaning that the branch can finally open after several years of waiting. The new store will be located on the former Michael Flisher Soft furnishings site and is expected to be open for business by the end of this spring.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 21st Feb 2008
Faversham Regeneration Ideas Discussed
Faversham Enterprise Partnership is hoping to secure a £250,000 financial boost to help launch two projects aimed at regenerating the town. The first project will involve building a centre for new business people, focusing particularly on the creative arts. The second project proposes the introduction of a town loyalty card which would benefit both traders and shoppers. The partnership would ideally like a miminum of 20 businesses to participate in the loyalty card project but states that the more businesses that join, the higher the benefits for both shoppers and traders. The loyalty card scheme has been introduced successfully into other UK towns, including Haslemere in Surrey. A meeting of local business people and retailers will be held in March to discuss these ideas further.
Source: Sevenoaks Chronicle, 27th Feb 2008
Refused Planning Permission Appealed
The developer Starnes has launched an appeal against Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to try and reverse its decision to deny planning permission for nine new houses in Cranbrook. The Council claimed that the development, to be located behind Bell House Fabrics and Lloyds TSB on the High Street, was out of character with the surrounding area. Starnes argues that the construction, which will include an access point; landscaping; and car-parking provision, would complement the area. The appeal will be heard in the next few months.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 22nd Feb 2008
Plans for Sovereign House Site cause Concern
Dramatic plans to build hundreds of new homes on the Sovereign House site in Tonbridge have been met with concern from the local civic society. If the new development is approved by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, it will include eating, drinking, and shopping facilities as well as homes. The development, which would be carried out by Oracle Residential Ltd, includes plans for a 15 storey tower and two additional large-scale buildings. Despite claims from Oracle Residential that locals will welcome the development, the local civic society has complained the plans are too large in scale for a small market town. If planning permission is granted, Oracle could begin work as early as next year but so far, no timetable for construction has been agreed.
Source: Kent and Sussex Courier, 15th Feb 2008
BAA Sells Airport Duty Free Shops
Airports operator BAA has sold off its ‘World Duty Free’ business for £546.6m to Italian firm, Autogrill. The 58 shops, based at airports across the UK, will help to cut the £9bn of debt taken out by Spain’s Ferrovial for its £10bn purchase of BAA 18 months ago. Autogrill is now the world's biggest provider of retail services for travellers, operating 5,200 outlets in more than 1,100 locations. There are World Duty Free shops in BAA's airports at Heathrow; Gatwick; Stansted; Glasgow; Edinburgh; Aberdeen and Southampton.
Source: BBC News, 10th March 2008; Ananova, 10th March 2008
Government Ends Airport Lounge Subsidy
Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has announced that the subsidy for VIP lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick airports is to be cut from 1st April. The suites, which are mainly used by travelling diplomats, will be run on a commercial basis by airport owner BAA. The change is initially on a 12-month trial basis.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
Airport Toll Lane Possibility
Special toll lanes aimed at those travelling from London to Gatwick or Heathrow could be introduced on sections of the M3, M4, M23 and M20 and M25 under plans by Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, to tackle congestion spots on Britain’s motorways. The government has identified 540 miles of motorway where the hard shoulder could be used to create an extra lane. Ministers believe that this additional lane could be used for car-sharing; a blanket toll; a toll for people not carrying passengers in their vehicle; or as a crawler lane for lorries and caravans. Officials plan to use the next 9 months to draw up detailed plans for each motorway, but a toll of around £5 has been suggested.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
600 Jobs to go at Friends Provident
Friends Provident a major life and pensions group with an office in Dorking, where a number of Horsham district residents work, is to axe 600 jobs. The group says cuts being made throughout the business by the end of 2009 are aimed at saving nearly £60m. Friends Provident is also looking at outsourcing parts of the business including its investment business F&C Asset Management.
Source: Bognor Regis Observer, 31st January 2008
Olympic Training Camps to Come to the County
Approval has been given for seven sporting venues in the Gatwick Diamond (including Brighton) to be used as training camps for national teams from around the world in the weeks and months leading up to the London 2012 Games. The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead; K2 Crawley; East Grinstead Sports Club; Olympos Burgess Hill; Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre; Pavilions in the Park, Horsham; and Brighton’s Yellowave Beach Volleyball venue were all given positive assessments by the British Olympic Association and other relevant UK sporting bodies. These venues will now be included in the ‘Pre-Games Training Camp Guide’ which will be published this summer to help National Olympic Committees to identify suitable facilities and sites for their training camps.
All approved venues in West Sussex will be working together to organise a broad range of community activities inspired by 2012.
Source: West Sussex County Council, 3rd March 2008
UK Ferry Industry Booming
The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) say that new figures show that ferry travel is seeing a revival. Nearly 43 million passenger ferry journeys were taken between British ports and the continent, Ireland, and British islands last year, a rise of 419,000 over 2006. PSA director, Bill Gibbons, says he believes the turn-around is down to the ‘ongoing chaos’at airports.
Source: UK Airport News, 4th March 2008
