Wednesday December 6 | 2017
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PHOTO: David Couldridge
MP rallies local people to help stop bus cuts LOCAL MP Tom Tugendhat is calling on residents to help him save the region’s bus services. Kent County Council [KCC] is planning to end its subsidy for the transport provision, saving an estimated £4million. This will mean 78 bus routes are under threat across the county, including more than 20 in the local area. County Hall is setting up a consultation service in January and Mr Tugendhat wants the public to use that exercise to stop KCC making the decision. Mr Tugendhat told the Times: “The consultation will be launched in January and we need to make sure that we respond and make strong arguments as to why these services are needed.”
Clear He added: “It may be obvious to some of us but we need to make this clear to those who make the decisions – our elected county councillors. Mr Tugendhat has been running a campaign to improve bus services, especially for schoolchildren. He compiled a list of more than 600 grievances from constituents, and brought together bus companies and school representatives to thrash out fresh agreements. He was also instrumental in the introduction of a new bus service, 502 from Hildenborough through Tonbridge to schools in St John’s, Tunbridge Wells
See also page 28
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Tonbridge Angels Ladies played their first game at Longmead to mark the Rainbow Laces campaign – and won 18-0; (l-r) Charlotte Coulter, Helena Fothergill, Heidi Archer, Leanne Foster, Sharon Lyons, Becky Janes, Florentia Anastasiou, Kelly Moran, Sam Wright, Nancy Syrett See page 70
Mystery developer in Arabian gulf sells housing estate on flood plain By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk DETAILS are emerging of an extraordinary proposal to build 1,200 homes on Swanmead, in a scheme put forward by a property investment and development company based in Bahrain. Al Qaseer IS advertising ‘Tonbridge I and II’ at Tanyard TN9 1PP on its website despite the fact the area is routinely flooded. People are being invited to purchase units. It is understood that a man called Nabil Saud Saud Nabili has bought the site off
Cannon Lane and Hadlow Road for £15,000. When asked about the Bahrain proposition, a spokesman for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council said: “The Council hasn’t been approached by Al-Qaseer or anyone
FLOAT THE IDEA The Swanmead plan
else suggesting that the Swanmead Sports Ground or any land to the south of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge should be promoted for residential development and no planning application has been received. “The site is within the flood plain and Green Belt and is not being brought forward through the Local Plan [of suitable sites to fulfil the council’s house building requirement]. It is therefore very unlikely to be successful should an application for housing be made.” The Al-Qaseer website states: “The land is
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INSIDE MAGICAL STORIES
Find out about Jane Austen’s ‘tricks’ on big birthday Page 4
CHRISTMAS SONGS
Tonbridge Grammar choirs in festive spirit at Cathedral Page 4
NICE AND SLOE...
Annual hedgerow gin-making competition returns Page 48
IT’S ELEMENTARY
Watson hat-trick sees Juddians back on winning track Page 71