Castle set for ‘glamping’ influx
A NEW “glamping” site is to be unveiled at Leeds Castle in the summer, after the scheme was given planning permission. Shorthand for glamorous camping, the activity sees guests staying in luxury, fur- nished tents. Maidstone Council’s plan-
ning committee allowed the erection of eight medieval-style tents in an old vineyard on the castle grounds, despite a stren- uous objection from Chris Skin- ner, who said: “The nearest neighbouring property is Bank Cottage, which is 250m south east of the development. “By the very nature of camp-
ing, children will be awake and playing outside until late, gen- erating noise that will echo down into the valley and up into Broomfield. The noise gen- erated from the playground, the maze and falconry displays is just about tolerated by residents because we all understand the economics of visitor attractions such as these, but we must ob- ject to the threat of further noise pollution. “Eight pitches will increase
the number of households in Broomfield by 38%, taking into account 21 houses in the imme- diate area, causing potential traf- fic congestion.” The canvas tents would sit on
timber decking and be fur- nished with four-poster beds and wood-burning stoves. They would be decorated in a variety of colours and heritage-style patterns and hedgerow will be encouraged to screen them. Bark chipping pathways and lighting would guide visitors to the tents. Toilets and showers would be available at nearby Knights Cottage Cllr Peter Page, of Kingswood and Broomfield Parish Council,
said: “We have the potential of 32 people in the open air in the small hours, drinking alcohol, and having a meal, which will mean noise intrusion.” But Leeds Castle chief execu-
tive VictoriaWallace mounted a strong defence of the plan. She said: “The cost of maintaining the castle increases every year. We have to diversify, upgrade and find new sources of income to ensure this iconic building survives.
ONE planning committee member who will not be ‘glamping’ is Cllr Richard Ash, who said: “I thought it was a spelling mistake until someone told me that it meant glamorous camping. “I think it has come too late in life for me.”
“We want to be sensitive to neighbour concerns, but this is the only site with car and utility access that is feasible to develop. “We chose this end of the non-productive vineyard be- cause it is well hidden. We are not looking to build a massive caravan park. This development will be tiny in scale, seasonal and we believe it will have no impact on neighbours, the near- est of whom lives 200m away.” The planning committee agreed with Ms Wallace’s argu- ment and voted in favour of the scheme unanimously. Ms Wal- lace hoped the site would be open by the end of May.
Rotary’s life-saving gift MEMBERS of The Rotary Club of Maidstone River- side have raised money for a defibrillator in mem- ory of the club’s former president Mike Baker, who died in December 2004, aged 33. Mr Baker had launched a community project to
provide debrillators throughout the town and sur- rounding villages. The sixth defibrillator was in- stalled at Brookside Nursery and garden centre in East Peckham. The equipment has been met through fund-rais-
ing and a grant from the Community Heartbeat Trust.
ColinNorgate, of the RiversideRotary Club, said:
Mike Springett, of Riverside Rotary Club with Terry Shead, of Brookside Garden Centre
“We know how valuable these portable defibrilla- tors are in helping save lives, so we had no hesita- tion in providing the funds.”
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