News
‘Horror’ at plan for solar farm
NEIGHBOURS have expressed horror at a planning application for more than 29,000 solar panels on farmland in Headcorn. Despite Solar Securities Ltd re- ducing the size of the proposal from 50.4 hectares to 11.5, residents say it would turn rural Great Tong Farm into an industrial area. They have asked Maidstone Council to consider the impact the proposal would have on the agri- cultural area, listed buildings and wildlife, including breeding colonies of great crested newts.KCC has also expressed concern about the 80 HGV movements on narrow lanes during construction. Opponents say the application for
the solar farm, which would require two inverter stations; a substation; control room; underground cabling; a store; access tracks; security fenc- ing and cameras and a temporary construction pound, ignores the po- tential flood risk and describe re- search into its environmental impact as desk-based. While some support the idea of
green energy, one added: “Agricul- tural land in the UK is a finite re-
source and security of food supply for theUKis likely to become an in- creasingly serious matter in years to come. We should not be tying up perfectly good land by converting it to industrial use.” The applicant says the 4.9MWp ground-mounted facility will help Kent reduce greenhouse gases, is a diversification for the farm and will deliver enough green energy for 1,029 homes each year. Concern about the limited time
given by Maidstone Council for comments has resulted in an exten- sion to the deadline, and aswewent to press an emergency public meet- ing, called for by campaigning group Protect OurWeald, was due to be held in Headcorn and at- tended byMPHelen Whately. A spokesman for Protect Our
Weald said: “The applicant has made it clear that it still has an op- tion to develop the remaining site, up to the 50-odd hectares originally intended, and given its investment so far we feel that may happen. In any case, one acre is an acre too much; it is simply in the wrong place.”
downsmail.co.uk Councillor to head choir
MAIDSTONE Councillor David Pickett has been appointed president ofMaidstone Choral Union. Cllr Pickett comes from amusical
family and his love of singing started when he was 10, at the Royal Naval School in Malta. When he was 16, he was asked
to stage-manage a school production of The Pirates of Penzance. Over the years, he has taken a
great interest in the performance of livemusic. Another of his major interests
has been music for films, with particular admiration forMiklos Rozsa, a composer who scored many of the films of Alexander Korda, including one of Cllr Pickett’s favourites, Ben Hur. The choir sang choruses describing the Nativity from this work at a Christmas concert. Although no longer a singing member of Maidstone Choral Union, Cllr Pickett did sing with the choir formore than 10 years, performing regularly in Maidstone and joining the choir’s European tours. He was chairman from 2004 to 2008 and still supports the choir in many ways. Cllr Pickett’s ambition is to see a
funded arts centre inMaidstone for the use of every field of the performing arts in the town and would like to see the county town of Kent become the county town of art, leisure and culture. He said: “I considermyself a
traditionalist and, as president of MCU, want to help preserve and nurture the legacy of the choir and endeavour to help increase local audiences’ interest in livemusic and great classical works, with emphasis on attracting young people to MCU events.” Cllr Pickett is looking forward to spending time with Martin Hindmarsh, the music director, and the rest of the MCU team.
Can you picture yourself working at the “Loveliest Castle in the World?”
Working closely with our catering partners, ‘Levy’ we are now recruiting for a variety of positions including:
- Waiting Staff - Bar Staff - Catering Assistants for our Catering Outlets - Kitchen Porters - Conference and Banqueting Staff - Chefs
If you would like to find out more information about working for Levy at Leeds Castle, we are holding a recruitment open evening on Tuesday 20th October between 5.00pm - 7.00pm. Come along and enjoy a glass of wine and canapés, and hear all about the exciting opportunities we have on offer.
If you would like to attend, please contact Elaine Jackson at
ElaineJackson@leeds-castle.co.uk for more information and to register your attendance.
We look forward to meeting you. 12 Maidstone South October 2015
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