News

Maidstone Borough Council has claimed the first £1.8 million of growth point grants from the government.  The council is hoping to receive a further £5 million by 2010 towards much needed regeneration projects and transport infrastructure.

 

The payments are the first as a result of the government’s decision to designate Maidstone as a growth point and the council will be bidding for more money in 2009.  In total Maidstone council is hoping to receive up to £50 million by 2017.

 

£1.3 million has been used towards the purchase of a new site for the council’s works depot.  £140,000 has been spent on new play areas, tennis court refurbishment and a teen shelter at South Park.  £330,000 has been spent on modelling solutions to improve traffic flows and reduce pollution in Maidstone town centre in the future; on updating the borough’s landscape protection strategy; and on planning future development to ensure it is delivered with the necessary social infrastructure and built sustainably.

 

The current depot at Armstrong Road is nearing the end of its useful life without substantial investment.  The move to the new site at Langley Park Farm, close to the Park Wood commercial estate, will enable the council to provide a much more sustainable facility at a more appropriate industrial area, and to regenerate the current depot site.