All Local Parishes Vote To Object To Statkraft’s Proposal

There is some good news to spur us on. Ash Parish Council have voted to strongly object to the proposed industrial solar plant. 

This follows Woodnesborough Parish Council’s clear objection and Sandwich Town Council voting to also strongly object.

At the full monthly Ash Parish Council meeting, held on the 5th of February at St Faith’s School, Ash Parish Councillors heard from numerous members of the public who rose to speak passionately about their perspectives, from wildlife and heritage concerns to mental health considerations. They also heard from Save Ash Level on a host of material condition arguments about the inappropriateness of this site and how the proposal did not meet any of the policies set out in the Ash Parish Neighbourhood Plan, an extensive document endorsed and ratified by Dover District Council.

This meeting followed an extraordinary meeting in January, where the Ash Parish Council listened to public comments and concerns raised before engaging their own planning specialist to interrogate the significant level of documentation. A key point the Chairman, Andrew Harris-Rowley, made surrounded contradictions and inaccuracies, which are pervasive throughout the application and how it lacks detail on critical topics.

The Council is preparing an extensive objection letter to submit, including significant concerns about the impact on heritage, environmentally sensitive landscapes, and wildlife, including protected species. There was also great concern about the prospective industrial corridor this proposal would create between Sandwich and Ash.