News
Solar farm plan reduced in area
A PLAN to build a solar farm in Headcorn has moved a step closer – but with a reduced size. Tempers flared at a public meet-
ing in the village last year, when Novus Solar Developments re- vealed its proposal for a 10.5mw solar farm at Pullen Farm. Three parishes stand to be af-
fected by the development – Sta- plehurst, Headcorn and Frittenden. The company’s original proposal
was held up due to issues about connection to the national grid, but these have now been resolved. Because of the advance in solar technology in the past year, while both options are still 10.5mw, the amount of land required for the panels has fallen by 25%. Novus is now proposing a smaller commercial solar farm on a field, which is almost concealed from view, or the option of running a commercial solar farm in tandem
with a community solar farm on the next field. The three parish councils will
have the final say on whether or not the community project goes ahead and local residents would have the opportunity to buy shares in the scheme, effectively “owning” it.
The commercial scheme would
pay £2,000 a year to the parish councils for 35 years, rising to £10,000 a year if the community schemewas also to be built. Novus believes its chosen site is
“low key” with “not many neigh- bours”, but local people were un- happy at the potential blight on the countryside. Novus expects to lodge a plan-
ning application in the near future, covering a period of 35 years. One further public consultation
was due to be held at Frittenden Village Hall.
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
downsmail.co.uk Duck race to help young people
THE public are invited to sponsor a plastic duck in a charity race along the river in Maidstone, with the chance of winning £1,000. Sponsored ducks will be put in the Medway at Whatman Park on April
12, with prizes awarded to the first 10 across the line.
The fund-raiser is
the first of its kind to be staged by Young Kent. Ducks can be sponsored for £2, with the money helping to support children and young people across the county to realise their potential. Spectators are invited to see them off at 1pm. To sponsor a duck visit
www.youngkent.org.uk
New site for village post office
SUTTON Valence Post Office is on the move. The post office in Broad Street
closes onMarch 21, when Gary and Jackie Coyle will pull down the shutters for the last time. Gary has owned the business for 28 years but for the past 10 it has been run by manager Kiran Sethi. Atea party to thank all the staff – including Mr Sethi and Joyce Vaughan, who has worked at the
post office for more than 50 years – will be held at the village hall from 3.30-5pm on Sunday, March 15, to say thank you and farewell. The post office will re-open at
Haven Farm Shop on North Street on Monday, March 23 under new sub-postmaster Derek Eagle. A group of residents failed in
their bid to get the existing prem- ises listed as an asset of community value.
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