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Campaigners are calling for a cycleway to run through a controversial new solar farm.
Plans for the 900-acre Cleve Hill Solar Park in Graveney, between Faversham and Whitstable , were rubber-stamped in May despite fierce opposition from residents.
But now locals have called on the developers - Hive Energy and Wirsol Energy - to include a cycle path through the site to connect Faversham, Seasalter and Whitstable.
Graveney resident Brian Jefferys tabled the idea two years ago but believes nobody supported it because it was seen to be backing the solar farm.
Now the project has been approved , he believes he can win over residents.
Although National Cycle Route One links the towns via Seasalter Road, he believes that journey is “dangerous” for cyclists and is calling for a safer off-road alternative.
“We’re not asking for a zip wire to go from Whitstable to Faversham - we are asking for something realistic,” the 45-year-old said.
“There is the current infrastructure there. It does need to be modified, adapted and managed in such a way where the wildlife isn’t affected.”
The dad-of-three and other locals have formed the Solar Cycleway campaign which attracted support from hundreds of residents on social media over the past few weeks.
The group says the scheme would provide opportunities for people to engage with the environment in the area of natural beauty and encourage more people to cycle.
Faversham councillor Julian Saunders (Lab) believes it could become a “major attraction” like the popular Crab and Winkle Way between Canterbury and Whitstable.
He says residents who cycle from the town to their nearest beach in Seasalter have to use a “busy and windy road”, which will be a particular problem once construction traffic starts to use it.
“The solar farm is a massive development on our doorstep and anything we can do to mitigate impact and develop the leisure and exercise use that is made of the area will be good,” he said.
Whitstable MP Rosie Duffield says greater cycle connectivity for the coast is a “welcomed development”.
“Connecting areas through non-polluting methods and promoting cycling, and its associated health benefits, is a positive change for the residents of Canterbury, Whitstable and its surrounding areas,” she said.
Seasalter councillor Ashley Clark (Con) also backs the bid due to concerns over the current route.
“Cycling has proliferated and has almost gone off the scale, particularly along that route,” he said.
“There are quite a lot of bends there and people will drive faster than is safe. It is an accident waiting to happen and anything that separates cyclists from motor vehicles has got to be a good thing.”
But a spokesperson for Cleve Hill Solar Park Ltd said it is “not possible” to include the proposals before construction starts in Spring next year.
They said throughout the consultation, developers have been “committed to preserving existing public rights of way and to improving access where possible”.
“People told us that additional pathways would be welcome, however there was a lack of support for additional bridleways and cycleways from the community,” they said.
“Caution was also raised by local environmental groups who were concerned about the impact to the internationally designated wildlife sites of the Swale from bicycles.
“In response to this consultation, a new 2km long permissive footpath was introduced in the east of the site to improve connectivity for walkers.”
To join the Solar Cycleway campaign and for more information, click here .
