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Video: University development protest lights up night
sky.

by Adam Williams

Three hundred lanterns lit up the
Canterbury night sky on Friday in a protest against Kent
University’s plans to build a new conference centre and
accommodation.

Chaucer Fields, which provides
panoramic views from campus across the city, has been earmarked for
a £60 million development including 800 student beds, a 150-room
hotel and conference centre with 200 parking spaces. A planning
application is expected to be submitted next month.

Friday night’s lantern launching
was the latest joint protest as more than 200 people gathered on
Chaucer Fields despite the wet weather and muddy conditions.

Student Alex Murray, 20, helped put
the event together and was overwhelmed by the response.

He said: “It was fantastic to see a
huge turnout from both students and residents with all ages
represented too.

“This issue is a huge opportunity
for us to bridge the gap between students and residents, we each
have our own petitions against the plans, but we will be meeting to
co-ordinate our strategy in the weeks ahead. The development is
being led by the university, who want to bring a corporate element
on to its campus, which could have an adverse effect on local
businesses.

“On top of that is the fact it impinges on greenbelt land.”

Read more reaction and see
more pictures in this week's Kentish Gazette, out
Thursday.