Concern over plan for rural solar park
Continued from page one “People want to know whether there are any health hazards; how they will stop the sun reflecting off the panels at certain angles and blinding peo- ple; and whether we’ll be able to hear a humming where the electricity is gathered.” Residents were also con- cerned about the solar farm’s impact on wildlife. In a report submitted to Maid-
stone Council, Solar Securities said sheep and goats could con- tinue to graze on the land after the farm was built and the pan- els could even provide “shelter and additional marginal habi- tat” for some creatures. Mr Richardson said the elec-
tricity produced by the solar farm would be enough to power 1,181 homes. The electricity would feed into the National Grid, via cables in Thurnham Lane.
Chairman of the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, Brian Clif- ford said: “We are talking to members and residents to get their opinions. We have con- cerns about the visual impact.” Mr Clifford said he was un-
able to comment further until after the society’s annualmeting but confirmed members would be looking at a 24,000-panel park being built at East Lenham Farm, Lenham, which Maid- stone Council granted planning permission for last year, and one already built by Solar Secu- rities in Bodmin, Cornwall. Thurnham Parish Council re- vealed at its June meeting that it only heard about the proposal
Ferris & Co. Independent Estate Agents with property for sale and let
in Maidstone - Kent & surrounding areas A solar park in Aylesford
and public meeting via “hearsay” in the days leading up to the exhibition. Chairman Cllr Daniel Skinner said the councilwas unable to comment until the company submitted a planning application, but as- sured residents the council would monitor the situation. CPRE Protect Kent spokesman
JamieWeir said his organisation was “broadly in favour of renew- able energy” but could not sup- port a proposal that took away agricultural land. He said: “Food security is of growing importance within the UK and it is crucial that we are protecting as much of our agri- cultural land as possible. “There is a place for solar in
the energy mix and we believe that it will be important to en- sure a more sustainable energy mix in the future. However, we cannot support this type of de- velopment when it will indus- trialise the countryside and remove food producing land.” The Kent Downs AONB Unit
said: “As the site is sizeable and in the setting of the Kent Downs AONB, we would expect a landscape visual impact analy- sis and landscape character as- sessment to accompany any planning application.”
Margaret, 79, rows for charity A MAIDSTONE woman has raised morethan £6,000 withasponsored rowatMaidstone Leisure Centre. Margaret Doak (79) rowed 20,000 metres – equivalent to 13 miles or a half marathon – for the charity Action Aid, which aims to eradicate poverty around the world and supportwomens' causes . She raised £6.417 30, which will
be doubled by the Government and having Gift Aid added. Margaret would like to say a big thank you to all donors, to Simon Kavanagh, her trainer, and to all thegymteamwho supported her and took turns row- ing alongside her.
Villagers may get orchard A COMMUNITY orchard has been proposed for land to the east of Hockers Lane, on the southern edge of Detling. Mr P King’s supporting statement said: “The development is relatively simple and requires little operational development.We seek to change the use of the land for use as a community orchard with associated ancillary parking for three vehicles. “The orchard will be tended to by the applicant, and open to
the residents of Detling to pick fruit once in season. The site is sloped and south facing whichmakes it ideal for such purposes.”
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