Business Link Kent
  0845 600 9006
Carbon Trust
  0800 085 2005
www.carbontrust.co.uk
Kent Downs AONB Unit
  01303 815 170
www.kentdowns.org.uk
www.green-business.co.uk
Kent Sustainable
Business Partnership
  01622 221 859
www.egeneration.co.uk/kent
NISP South East
  01235 468 733
email: southeast@nisp.org.uk
www.nisp.org.uk
Thanet glasshouses
to make local economy grow
Sustainable salad production 52 weeks a year is
coming to Kent in the shape of ŌThanet EarthÕ.
Seven greenhouses, each the size of ten football
pitches, will produce peppers, tomatoes, and
cucumbers, as well as bringing £80 million of
investment and 550 jobs to the region.
Made in the UK, for the UK
The salad crops grown will be destined for the shelves of the UKÕs
supermarkets. The technique of hydroponics sees the plants suspended
from the ceiling and grown using nutrient-enriched water and a combination
of natural daylight and artificial lighting.
Putting something back
The greenhouses will be a source of power, providing enough electricity for the
National Grid to power approximately half of ThanetÕs needs. Electricity will be
generated by burning gas, but the by-products (heat and CO2) will be used to
grow the crops. The site intends to be self-sufficient in terms of water too,
recycling rainwater and maintaining a network of reservoirs.
From plant to plate
There are also plans to place a research and development department on
site which will work with local agricultural colleges to test new varieties,
methods of pest control, hydroponic and lighting techniques. Ultimately,
this will develop into an education centre from which the local
community can also benefit.
For more information visit www.thanetearth.com