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SKaCH is a group of local residents led by
former miners who think that the buildings at Snowdown Colliery should
be considered for community activity rather than demolition.
We put together a team of experts with international experience who
produced a Scoping Report before the end of September which has been
circulated widely too much acclaim. The Chief Executive of SEEDA said
that our proposals were “ambitious and visionary in its approach”. We
are grateful for the support of Kent County Council, and our Parish
Councils who provided the cash for us to commission the work. The report
can be seen at the Dover District Council Offices at Whitfield and soon
on our Website (www.snowdown-kent-coalfield.co.uk). This community
social project comprised:
A Heritage and Energy Exhibition Centre
Looking at past, present and future sources of energy with a focus on
mining in the Kent Coalfield ( No2 Winding Engine House )
A 500 Seat Auditorium
For presentations, lectures, county and professional performances of
music, theatre, dance and a lot more. ( No3 Winding Engine House )
A School of Building
To train people in building applied arts skills with an emphasis on
conservation and the ecologically sound techniques and materials ( the
Workshops )
An Eco- Garden
Demonstrating and teaching modern garden design and horticultural skills
to deal with the conditions caused by climate change.
We were also able to present to the council two petitions of support
with over 200 signatures gathered in only a few hours at the Nonington
Fireworks Display and the Aylesham Carnival. They also received directly
29 letters supporting our cause.
Thank you to all those who wrote and we are conscious of our
responsibility to present the views of so many from our community.
The Planning Committee approved the SEEDA Outline Planning Application
together with some 60 or so conditions and have encouraged SKaCH and
SEEDA to work together to take matters forward, something we are very
keen to do now our ideas are clearer.
We are now gathering funds to take forward the next stage of our
Feasibility Study utilising our existing internationally experienced
team to whom we are already grateful for waiving or taking only token
fees so far.
Now we are proceeding to secure a fuller understanding of the costs of
implementing our ideas and more importantly a better sense of how they
would be funded in terms of capital and revenue.
As we have always made it clear, we are committed to the development of
the site but we are equally clear our plans must be economically
sustainable.
Contacts: -
Publicity & Information – Ian Williams Tel- 01304 841 352
e-mail-mrianwilliams@yahoo.com
Chairman – Bill Oliver Tel- 01304 841 305
Secretary - Lawrence Knight Tel -01304 841 137
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