Support

Last December Ashford Astronomical Society (AAS) announced it had secured council support for its International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) designation bid.

Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet members voted to back the scheme with £25,000 set aside to help with a public consultation and bid to IDSA.

It could see some rural areas protected from development and light pollution in the town’s planning policies.

Part of the council’s policy could also call for sympathetic lighting on all new housing developments.

The society had plans to create a 200-seater planetarium, science centre and observatory in the area but these have now been scaled down.

Society secretary Jason Hall said last year: “We are aiming for a smaller centre and we have the idea to make more income from things like camping.

“The aim is to have at least a scientific grade observatory with instruments that the public can use.”