City country park closer with release of barracks’ land

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A dog walker who ordered government officials to release an unused piece of land for community use has surprisingly got his wish – just four weeks later.

Canterbury resident Phil Waring asked the Cabinet Office to declare part of the former training ground at Howe Barracks surplus so it could possibly be used for a country park.

He argued the area at the top of Chaucer Road had become plagued with problems, includ- ing being used as a hang-out by drug users and a race track by bikers.

Using a Right to Contest application – which allows members of the public to challenge the use of government-owned sites – he called for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) land to be declared surplus and freed up for the community.

Just a month later, Mr Waring received the news he had hoped for.

A letter from the Cabinet Office confirmed that after lengthy discussions between the Government Property Unit and MOD, the latter had agreed to declare it surplus so it can be “put to better economic use”.

According to the Right to Contest rules, the Cabinet Office sells the piece of land back to either the community or local businesses at a fair price.

Mr Waring says he is pleased with the outcome – but stressed it is only the first step.

“I couldn’t think of any reason why they would say no,” he said.

“But you never know with things like this.”

The retired 61-year-old, who regularly walks his dog there, says it is now down to either the city council, community groups or an organisation to decide on its future.

“It’s a little bit out of my hands now, I can’t really do much from

‘The land will be made surplus so someone can take it on. It doesn’t have to be the council’

here on my own,” he said.

“The land will be made surplus so someone can take it on. It doesn’t have to be the council. There are lots of people who run country parks.

“The only thing I want to see is it being kept open to the public and to be kept safe.

“It would be ideal for a park with a cafe. That is my dream.”

In 2015, the MOD revealed it would donate a new public park to the city as part of plans to transform Howe Barracks on St Martin’s Hill with hundreds of new homes.

Mr Waring said the land could even be an extension of that.

MOD spokesman Emma Wyatt confirmed the process had commenced to declare land at the Old Park training area surplus to requirements.

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Picture: Chris Davey FM4684307 Phil Waring wants the released land around the former Howe Barracks to be made into a country park

Mr Waring says the area at the top of Chaucer Road has become a hang-out for drug users