News


Parties support protest over solar farm scheme


RESIDENTS in Staplehurst have gained cross-party support in their fight against an industrial solar power station, or solar farm at Great Pagehurst Farm. Helen Grant, who is fighting to


retain the Maidstone and theWeald for the Conservative party, was joined by Ukip candidate Eddie Powell and LibDemcouncillors in a protest at an application from Sun- save 22 (Pagehurst) Ltd for a solar farm on the grade 3 farming land. More than 30 people turned out


for a protest rally, complete with banners and posters, proclaiming “crops not panels” and “grass not glass” at nearby Widdershins, home to Patrick and Shirley Roche. Mrs Roche, whose home will


overlook the development, said: “It was good to see Conservatives, Ukip and Lib Dems united in their opposition to a solar farm on good agricultural land. It is good to see local issues transcend politics.” The residents believe a solar farm


will cause the loss of usable farm- land and greater reliance on food imports, along with the associated higher carbon footprint. Cllr Eddie Powell said: “It is such


a shame that a beautiful field should even be considered for a solar farm. We need to do more to protect our countryside.” Other protestors expressed con-


Sports club


parking opens THElong-awaited car park forWest Farleigh Sports Club is finally open, relieving the nightmare of parking for players and supporters – and the headache of a blocked road for buses. Parking has long been a problem


in Charlton Lane on match days, where vehicles parking on the kerb have caused problems for pedestri- ans, but also for drivers of large ve- hicles trying to pass up and down the narrow lane. Bus operator Nu-Venture even threatened to withdraw its service if alternative parking provision was not made. After years of complaints, Maid-


stone council granted the club plan- ning permission last summer for a 30-space car park opposite the club- house, but imposed conditions on the hours of use. Finally, after protracted negotia-


tions, agreement was reached and the car parkwas completed. The club received some funding


fromKCCbut has financed much of the £20,000 cost of the car park itself, so would be delighted to hear from any philanthropists in the area.


Helen Grant and Eddie Powell with protestors near Great Pagehurst Farm


cerns about solar panels on agricul- tural land and near a nature re- serve.


Sunsave 22, which wants to in-


stall more than 64,000 panels on a 20-hectare site, say that even with a solar farm installation, the land could still be used to produce food, as the grass and meadow sown be- neath it could be grazed by sheep. But Mrs Roche said: “What wildlife will ever return after a quagmire caused by such an indus- trialised installation?” Helen Grant has already passed


on constituents’ concerns to Kris Hopkins, Minister for Local Gov- ernment, who has said: “I am un- able to comment on individual applications, but I want to under-


line that the National Planning Pol- icy Framework contains strong pro- tection for the natural environment and valued landscapes. “It is also very clear that an appli-


cation for a renewable energy de- velopment should only be approved if the impact is, or can be, made acceptable and that local councils should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricul- tural land.” Eric Pickles, then communities secretary, said the Government would produce a further statement on the matter in the light of some local communities having real con- cerns that insufficient weight has been given to the protections.


Charity tour of orchards


THE owners ofWesterhill Farm, Linton are inviting members of the public to join them for a one-hour walk through the beautiful apple, pear, plum and cherry orchards laden with spring blossom in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice. Thewalk at the farm inWesterhill


Road begins at 10.30am on Sun- day, April 19. Pre-booking is recom- mended and the suggested donation is £5. The farm on the Greensand


Ridge has one of the most out- standing views in the South East, which has been used as a film loca- tion many times. Many film crews have used the location over the years.


To reserve a place, email fundrais- ing@hokh.co.uk or call the fundrais- ing team on 01622 790195.


Twinning group’s invitiation


FAMILIES who fancy a bit of “entente cordiale” are being invited to join the members of Coxheath Twinning Association. Coxheath has a link with the village of La Seguiniere, near Cholet, in


Western France and regularly arranges visits. Members have taken part in football, table tennis, petanque, running, walking and visiting stately homes and gardens both at home and across the Channel. Anyone who believes they could benefit from some continental ca- maraderie should contact Laura on 01622 741812 or Colin Leith at colin.Leith@btinternet.com.


downsmail.co.uk Extension for


special school FIVE Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, Maidstone is in line for a two-storey extension and re- furbishment. KCChas lodged a planning appli-


cation to improve facilities and add 54 places at the special school, which caters for youngsters between four and 16 with learning difficulties. Astatement said: “The proposal is


to refurbish and make minor, non structural alterations to the existing school to provide enhanced facilities. “The primary focus of the pro-


posed works centre on a two-storey extension on the school’s existing car park, enlarged school hall and kitchens and a relocated entrance. “It would include many facilities


such as the existing hydrotherapy pool to be retained, sensory integra- tion rooms, group rooms, and a shared SEN resource. “A new car park and pupil drop-


off arrangement is proposed to re- place the existing one.” ShouldKCCgive the go-ahead, by September 2016 the number of pupils at the school will rise to 260. Maidstone Council lodged no ob-


jection but the North Loose Resi- dents Association raised concern about lighting in the car park and called for measures to reduce traffic.


Classroom bid A NEW classroom block could be built to the east of New Line Learn- ing (NLL) Academy in Boughton Lane, Maidstone. KCC has applied to build two classrooms, an office and toilet, as well as a small barn with two store rooms.Paddocks and a horticultural teaching area would also be created. The scheme would provide teach-


ing and agricultural facilities for the adjoining Five Acre Wood school. The development would be on the northern part of the field, with the remainder occupied by sports facili- ties forNLLAcademy.KCCwill de- termine the application.


Homes plan


FIVE new homes are proposed for land south of Horseshoes Lane, Lan- gley. A planning application, which


will be decided by Maidstone Coun- cil, said: “While the proposed devel- opment site is noted as being open countryside the site is located to the immediatewestern boundary of the built-up area of Langley Village. “The site is bounded to the north,


west and south by the public high- way that accesses Langley and to the east by the existing built form. It is the case, therefore that the site pro- vides a natural rounding off of the village. “There is an existing access from


Turgis Close as well as one from Heath Road.”


Maidstone South April 2015 31


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