Eco-camp activists meet residents

The proposed new Kingsnorth power station

Campaigners will protest about the proposed power station in August

Almost 100 people who live near the Kingsnorth power station in Kent have attended a meeting organised by environmental campaigners.

Representatives of the Climate Camp invited residents to discuss next month's protests against plans to build a coal-fired power station on the site.

The 10-day event in Hoo aims to bring people together to discuss how to tackle climate change.

Some Hoo residents have opposed the camp over fears of disruption.

The event will include a "mass action" protest against the proposed power station on 9 August and a six-day "family friendly" programme of free workshops addressing environmental issues.

'Liable for damage'

Campaigners are also planning to launch a flotilla of craft on the River Medway.

The meeting at the Sturdee Sports and Social Club on Monday evening attracted supporters and opponents of the camp, to be held from 3 to 12 August.

Worries about noise, damage to crops and heavy-handed policing were raised at the meeting.

One local resident, farmer Mark Batchelor - who grows arable and vegetable crops on land next to the power station - said he was concerned about his harvest.

The camp is a very functional work space not a festival or an open air rave

Kevin Smith, Climate Camp

"They have said they are not going to damage the crops and will be liable for any damage caused, but they are a big organisation and there's no one person backing it, so I still don't believe them."

But Kevin Smith, from the Climate Camp team, said concerns raised by the community were "very high up on our priority list in how we organise the camp".

"No one wants a big confrontation in Hoo. We're not coming to cause problems for residents or the police.

"The camp is a very functional work space not a festival or an open air rave."

Mr Smith added: "We've done all we can to try to talk to people but we know we can't please everyone."

Earlier this month, the owners of Kingsnorth Power Station were granted a High Court injunction to protect the site's operational capacity during any protest.