by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Plans to build a futuristic house which will produce its own energy from rotten apples has caused outrage among villagers.

People living in Grafty Green, in the parish of Boughton Malherbe, say they have major concerns about the eco-friendly house.

The one-off design is planned for land at Ivy Farm, Liverton Hill and, if built, will be home to farmer Shaun Charlton and his family and will be self-sustainable.

It will include a home cinema, two swimming pools, and an aerobic digester to create its own fuel to heat and power the home.

The digester will turn rotten apples, from Mr Charlton’s fruit packing business, and other materials into gas, with any surplus being sold back to power providers.

Mr Charlton said: “As a man of Kent, who farms the Kent land, I truly want to live closely within the apple orchards with my family.

“I am really excited about the possibility of making this eco- house a reality.”
The plans have upset some people living nearby who think the home is far too large.

A public meeting held by the parish council saw the village hall packed with residents.

Concerns were raised about the visibility of the house from a footpath at the bottom of Liverton Hill and Church Street. Others are worried the site, in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be spoilt.

Objectors have been urged to lodge their complaints with Maidstone council, which is due to consider the matter at the end of February.

Parish council vice chairman Ron Galton said this week: “I’ve not met anyone from the village who thinks the plans are a good thing.

“Parish councillors unanimously voted against the plans and will fight it all the way.”

The plans have been submitted under the government’s PPS7 regulations which use planning rules in the interests of sustainability. Villagers and the parish council don’t think the plans fit the PPS7 criteria.

Mr Charlton’s agent, Ria Drake of DHA Planning, said: “This exceptional and innovative PPS7 house has been designed by Piers Gough, one of this country’s leading architects, in liaison with the planning authority.

“The fruit waste for the digester will be brought to site once a week from Mr Charlton’s pack house, where tonnes of fruit waste currently go to landfill.”