Well Keith, I am backing this project because I believe that our communities will benefit from it and I believe that Ovendens, genuinely want to make a difference with listening to and working with people from those communities. 150 jobs is massive and with allowing EKR to restore our mining railway infrastructure that is on their land, along with creating a Tilmanstone Heritage site and conservation area will make such a difference for the better.
Below taken from
http://www.tilmanstonecollierytipregeneration.co.uk/
New Generation for Tilmanstone Colliery Tip
Peer Spanner is preparing a Planning Application and Environmental Impact Assessment for a solar power generation array on the surface of the former Tilmanstone Colliery Tip, which forms part of the Pike Road Industrial Area, on behalf of the owners Ovenden Plant Hire Ltd. It is intended that the application will be submitted to Dover District Council during the summer of 2013
The project will include the re-grading of the colliery spoil to provide a sound platform for the solar panels to be installed, an environmentally improved area with public access, and a small industrial estate.
The solar energy array will generate up to 10MWp of electricity which is sufficient to power 2,300 homes. The panels will be placed on the levelled colliery waste in rows facing south and sited to minimise views of the array from the surrounding area.
The proposed ecological enhancements will include a new pond created with connecting ditches to encourage wildlife, and the area of approximately 10 acres will be managed, together with additional tree and shrub planting, to create a biodiversity of flora and fauna. A new public access link from the existing footpath into this area also forms part of the proposals.
It is also intended that the former disused railway platform/halt which is within the site will be reinstated together with a short length of rail track laid on the line of the original East Kent Light Railway. There will also be information boards and a rock store where interesting stones/rocks from the levelling works will be placed for visitors to see.
The proposed industrial estate will consist of 16 units in 2 blocks (10,000 sq.m.) of modern light industrial buildings with associated access and parking. This will be sited adjacent to the now redundant brickworks off of Pike Road. The new employment has the potential to create around 150 new full time jobs for the District and reflects the Local Plan employment allocation for the former Colliery site.
Peer Spanner, Environmental & Planning Consultants, The Gate House, Ringwould, Kent CT14 8GH
www.peerspanner.co.uk
10th June 2013