Representatives of Brogdale Farm landowner Hillreed Land are calling on supporters of the National Fruit Collection at the farm to lobby Kent County Council cabinet member for regeneration Roger Gough to prevent the collection being moved.
Tony Hillier, chairman of Hillreed Land, owner of Brogdale Farm, said: “Roger Gough, made his decision to back the Brogdale Horticultural Trust’s proposals to move the collection back in May 2007. At that time details of other tenders where not forthcoming. He has since been made aware that there are now three strong scientifically based bids that seek to retain the collections at Brogdale, its home since the 1950s and a designated re-generation area.
"How can the cabinet member for regeneration possibly suggest moving an enterprise which represents such a significant part of the local economy to an area which is not a regeneration area? We find it astonishing that KCC is not prepared even to consider the other proposals that, as far as we understand, all put forward strong and valid reasons to keep the collection in Faversham. KCC appear to be simply paying lip service to its regeneration aims and to be backing the break-up of the collection or pursing some other agenda.”
Defra is expected to make its decision on the various tenders at the end of the month.
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