Dr Reichelm has left the practice and will be succeeded by Dr Andrew Swindlehurst. Dr Louisa Gibson has returned to the practice. The Business and Finance Manager has left, and the practice is seeking to employ new GPs, a practice nurse and specialist diabetic nurse. The surgery has been sold and is being leased back for an undisclosed period of time.
Research into the Planning Application for a new 204 space car park opposite More Park RC Primary School, Lucks Hill, revealed a little known WWII plane crash. On 11th Sept in 1942, a Sterling Bomber on his return from a bombing raid on Dusseldorf was attempting to land at West Malling Airfield. He failed to make it, smashing into a part of the Lucks Hill wall which now surrounds the school, and ditching in the orchard
The government has given KCC £28 million to prepare for Brexit. But for all other services , the Conservative Government has cut Conservative KCC grant for services in 2019/20 from £37m to £9m and service cuts are being made as a result.
Bellway have applied for planning consent for up to 90 homes with vehicle access off Swan St. on land opposite West Malling Station between the Station Approach road and Lavenders Road. West Malling Parish Council is working with local residents to oppose this application strongly.
The Borough Council deposited its Draft Local Plan with Government on 23rd January. This was one day before the deadline, after which TMBC would have been penalised with a further increase of 23% on their housing targets from now until 2031.
Parish Councillor Nick Stapleton co-ordinates the West Malling Speedwatch scheme and has been working hard over the past year, alongside residents and fellow parish councillors, doing sessions in various locations across the town.