Four-pronged strategy to save field from builders

aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk CAMPAIGNERS battling to prevent Kingsmead Field from being built on have created a four-pronged strategy for their cause.

It comprises legal action against Canterbury City Council, an application for the field to be given village green status, a fundraising drive and a series of events on the field.

The news comes following a public meeting at the Dominican Priory on Thursday to discuss the future of the field, which the council has agreed can be sold off for housing.

Members of the campaign group also decided they will eventually call themselves the Friends of Kingsmead Field.

Chairman Sue Langdown said: “Kingsmead Field is such an obvious location to be designated as a town green.

“With goodwill on the part of the council, we could work together to provide pitches for mini football, a trim trail for keeping fit and a riverside environment which would be wildlife-friendly, accessible and attractive.”

The group is making its legal claim against the city council the cornerstone of its efforts. It accuses the authority of failing to properly consult people living nearby about the field’s future.

It is also sending out more than 15,000 Campaigners, from left, Mark Bass. Charlie Bass, Josie Bass, Orla Linehan-Fox, Sian Pettman, Tim Pettman (with Jasmine the dog), Margaret Stirling, Maria Thomas, Alan Thomas, Antonia Linehan-Fox flyers to residents calling on their support.

Accountant and campaign treasurer Malcolm Denyer said: “We will need to raise £15,000 for this stage of the campaign. If each recipient of the flyer gave something, we could reach this target very quickly.

“That would be an amazing reflection of what can be achieved when the com- munity pulls together.”

Campaigners are planning a series of events on the field.

They held the first of these with a clean-up on Sunday. They cleared an area that had until last week been fenced off.

In October, the council formally took control of the five-acre site, arguing that it was rarely used and surplus to require- ments. It is thought to be worth more than £5 million.

The council says it may require a report into the situation before it finalises its plan for the field.

Spokesman Steve James said: “The council has no wish to fight a case unnecessarily although if the campaign group wishes to pursue its fight, we will make our case strongly to the court.”