Fears over parking plan for community park

Worry it would create ‘magnet for undesirable behaviour’

Angry residents fear a new community park could become a “magnet” for yobs and anti-social behaviour if the plan goes ahead.

In November, Ashford Borough Council revealed the plan for the Bridgefield Community Park in a field off Cheeseman’s Green Lane.

The park would sit next to the Bridgefield estate, where 500 new homes have been built and hundreds more are earmarked, as well as the Finberry estate which will contain 1,100 homes.

It would boast a children’s playground, an orchard, community gardens and allotments, wildflower meadows, land for grazing, woodland and wetlands.

But residents in Bridgefield have registered their concerns on the council’s planning website, with fears that permanent car parking spaces will bring crime and anti-social behaviour.

Southdown Close resident Ian Beevis wrote: “Why do Ashford Borough Council officers want to put parking areas on this field? It should be for the recreation of residents of Bridgefield.

“The creation of car parking areas in a country field would lead to noise 24 hours a day, pollution, and give rise to a high risk of anti-social, unsavoury and criminal behaviour.”

Cheeseman’s Green Lane resident Denis King echoed the concerns and said a car park would make the area “a magnet for undesirable behaviour, especially at night time” and said the area will see more flytipping as a result.

Damara Way resident Bryan Curtis questioned the finances of the scheme and feels residents are being short-changed, stating his belief £1.5 million should be available from Section 106 contributions made by the housing developers.

But Ashford council says it had a positive response to community consultations held at Furley Park Primary School and at the Queen’s Head pub in Kingsnorth.

The planning statement acknowledges concerns about how Section 106 cash has been spent and about which features have been included in the design.

It said the overwhelming majority supported the plans, while Kingsnorth Parish Council raised no objection.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

An artist’s impression of the proposed park next to the Bridgefield development