School farm housing plan rejected
by the Friends of the Astor of Hever School Farm

Despite the recommendation of the Council's planning officer the application by the KCC and Astor Hever of School to allow building on part of the school farm site was unanimously rejected.

To supplement the written representations which the Council had received about the proposal, including one from the FAHSF, objections were heard from local residents, local Councillors including Mick Stevens leader of the Borough Council and Peter Hooper recently-retired Mayor. The only person heard in favour of the proposal was Mr Carroll, Head Teacher.

The Councilors felt that the proposal was inappropriate for a variety of reasons including.
- The amount of traffic which would be generated in an already-congested area.
- The site was largely greenfield, not a brown field (i.e. a previously-developed) site.
- The farm was a 'gem' and the open space around the farm was an asset to the area.
- There was distrust of the KCC/school's intentions. If permission were granted there was no guarantee that all the funds generated would be spent on the school and to the benefit of the community. It would also make development of the remainder of the farm site much easier in the future as a precedent would have been set.

It is unlikely that this is the end of the matter as a further revised application may be submitted to the council or an appeal initiated. In the mean time, the farm manager has already departed along with many of the larger animals. The farm is now very much on a 'care and maintenance' basis as Mr Eade will also be departing in a a few weeks.

It is felt that even at this late stage there is a good chance of reaching an agreed common-sense way forward and it is hoped that a meeting of the friends can be arranged to discuss the matter in the near future.

Astor of Hever School farm closure - In the news:

BBC News: School farm housing plan rejected

Kent Messenger: School's plan to sell farm for housing is scuppered

Kent Messenger: Royal backing for school farm

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