‘This wasn’t a great vision’
What a let-down, a bold heading declaring “Big plans for the palace.”
A huge front page news story heralding a possible hotel, a restaurant, office space or a conference centre. Is vision dead? My excitement was such that I could not face turning to page 7. We must avoid another ‘Court House’ decision that prevents us from sharing this area with the people. This is a building that dominates the history of Maidstone and is set in a rich vein of adjacent supporting buildings and gardens lining the riverside that itself is unique, we own the swans, providing a golden opportunity to put the County Town well and truly back on the map.
I am asking Maidstone
Borough Council to deliver a new vision and grow Maidstone historically, culturally, and horticulturally while embracing leisure opportunities along and around the river, incorporating the Fairmeadow cinema site, the All Saints Church, the unused amphitheatre and much more. Lets have some enlightened planning, a sponsored competition to deliver the best outcomes to serve Maidstone into the next century. Ensure a vision that can be delivered worthy of meeting the needs of the growth of the population and the attraction of Maidstone.
Mike FitzGerald MBE
Laxton Drive, Chart Sutton
Editor’s note: The KM has proposed a vision for Maidstone that would involve relocating judicial services near to Maidstone
East and developing the riverside into site for floating markets and restaurants.