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Unveiling the new “first class” centre (l to r): George Jessel, chairman of Kent County Agricultural Society, Lord Lieutenant of Kent AllanWillett and Clive Emson, sponsor of the new build- ing.


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KENTShowground has a new £1.2m conference centre – a “first class building”, said a de- lighted George Jessel, chairman of Kent County Agricultural So- ciety. The refurbishment has con- verted a 28-year-old, earth- floored barn into a modern conference, entertainment and exhibition cen- tre, making it by far the largest in Kent. The scheme is


also a further chapter in the success story of local business- man Clive Emson. Not only is his firm the centre’s named sponsor, it will also be the new venue for its auctions. For 21 years Clive Emson


held auctions at the Ramada Hotel, near Maidstone, but the events were attracting so many people that, due to fire regulations, they were forced to look elsewhere. Mr Emson told more than 400 guests at the centre’s launch it was the perfect venue to con- tinue their auctions and busi-


ness in the county. He added: “As one door


shuts, another opens. The op- portunity to sponsor the new building was perfect timing.” Earlier, Mr Jessel explained


The hall has:


 1,700sq m of exhibition space  a viewing gallery


 a cargo door to admit HGV lorries  under-floor cabling


 hi-tech communica- tions


 a kitchen that can cater for up to 1,000 people.


that the vision to remodel the building started six years ago and was part of a larger project to revamp and upgrade facili- ties at the show- ground. The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, AllanWil- lett, officially opened the Clive Emson Conference Cen- tre. As he was approaching his 75th birthday he felt it was fitting that one of his


last public duties brought him back to what he recognised as the hub for all that is best in the county. Event manager Alison


Wallington said: “I look forward to welcoming Kent’s business community to the new facilities. We have had a complete re- brand, the Kent Event Centre has a new image, new website and an invigorated approach to event management and planning”.


Extension go-ahead despite failing tests A ROOF extension was given the go-ahead in Bearsted, despite it failing recognised light tests relating to a neighbouring property. The proposal, which would raise the height of a bungalow at 22 Otteridge Road by 1.9m and increase the number of bedrooms from two to five, failed the BRE light tests from the two bedroom win- dows of a neighbour, who had objected. But Maidstone Council’s planning committee granted planning permission after officers said the failure was only marginal. Cllr Pat Marshall, representing Bearsted Parish Council, said: “If it failed the test, it failed the test. It doesn’t matter if it was marginal. The effect on 20 Otteridge Road will be particularly felt in the autumn, spring and winter, when the sun is low in the sky.” Bearsted ward member Cllr Val Springett spoke up for the neigh-


bours: “Mr and Mrs Beach purchased their home in 1979 and in- tend to remain there. Two bedrooms and the bathroom will be affected by it.” However, the committee granted permission by seven votes to four, with one abstention.


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