Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Happy ending’ to long-running bid to protect field
Council grants city site village green status
Kingsmead Field has been granted one of the highest protection statuses in the land - safeguarding the open space for decades to come. Hailed as a “very happy ending” to a long-running saga, about 80% of the three-acre-site is now officially designated as a village green.
In 2012, Canterbury residents launched a campaign to protect the field from being turned into housing development after it was seen as a defining remnant of the water meadows in the city.
The Friends of Kingsmead Field was formed in March 2015 to act as a lobby group to put pressure on authorities to protect the whole field after a village green application was rejected by KCC in 2014. In October 2016, Canterbury City Council (CCC) agreed to strengthen the field’s status by designating the site as a village green in support of the campaigners.
But village greens can only be granted their full status by the county authority, KCC, whose elected members agreed to do so last week.
A turning point was the decision of the city council in February this year to voluntarily put forward an application to KCC to convert the area into a village green.
The much-sought-after status means the land - which is owned by the council - cannot be built on and will be solely used by the community for sports and pastimes, such as tea parties and picnics.
Council chief executive Colin Carmichael said: “This is a very happy ending to what has been a long-running story stretching back several years.
“We all know there have been some difficult days along the way, but I would like to pay tribute to the Friends of Kingsmead Field for all they have done to look after this cherished piece of open space in the city. We have an excellent relationship with the group and their passion and love for the field is clear for all to see.
“Our officers will continue working closely with the Friends on further improvements over the coming years to ensure the field retains its place at the heart of the community.” The decision to grant village green status was made by Kent County Council’s regulation committee member panel. It protects four-fifths of the field, with 16 houses set to be built on the remaining 20%. Sian Pettman, from the Friends of Kingsmead Field, says the group is “absolutely thrilled” the site now has top protection.
“We would like to express our thanks to everyone in the city and county councils who have worked so hard to make this possible,” she said.
“It’s so important to have green space in the middle of such a busy urban area.” n What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk