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Petition opposes plan to close playing fields
MORE than 100 people in Maid- stone have objected to plans to close off playing fields at two town centre schools. Residents signing a petition say
the decision to fence off sports fields on theOakwoodPark estate will end acommonright of access enjoyed by the public since before thewar. St Augustine Academy says the decision to enclose its playing fields and those at Oakwood Park Gram- mar is to safeguard pupils following littering, dog mess and, on occasion, interference to school activities. Kent County Council (KCC) said
in a letter to residents: “The schools cannot tolerate these risks to pupils and staff; nor do parents and school inspectors regard the situation as ac- ceptable. KCC is supporting the plans to prevent public access.” But, while Fant borough council-
lorPaul Harper says he understands the school’s safeguarding responsi- bilities, he says most dog owners in the area are responsible and the schools have a duty to continue al- lowing locals use of the space. The former farmlandwas used by Maidstone Golf Club until the 1960s,
with the public allowed access, ac- cording to Cllr Harper,wholives op- posite Oakwood Park. He said: “Generations have had unimpeded access to this land and there is no reason to think this symbiotic rela- tionship is any different now.” He hopes a petition will persuade Maidstone Council to broker a deal. Campaigners also hope to apply for town green status for the open space. Hesaid: “I feel there is a moral ob- ligation for these schools to reach a compromise on this land.” However, the county council let-
ter, signed by Cllr Dan Daley and Cllr Rob Bird, goes on to say: “The fields are private property. So, al-
though there has been some cus- tomary use in the past, it is likely to be very difficult to establish any legal rights for continued access.” It adds that the school has indi-
cated it might consider an arrange- ment for outside use, although, the county council believes the need for public liability insurance would likely make this prohibitive. To sign the petition, email cllr-
paulharper@outlook.com. The site was acquired by KCC from John Wigan in 1949 and has been used for educational purposes. Part of the playing fields was gifted to Oakwood Park Grammar School in 2011, but StAugustine’sAcademy has a lease withKCCfor its grounds.
News Driver banned
AMOTORISTstopped inMaidstone while more than twice the drink drive limit has been banned from the road for nearly two years. Kurt Lambert (26), from Cedar
Drive, Maidstone, admitted the of- fence after being stopped in his Ford Focus on January 6. Abreath test showed he had89mg
of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35. Medway magistrates banned him
from driving for 22 months and fined him £120 with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Emailwarning
ASCAM email in the Maidstone area claims to tell people about sex offenders in their neighbourhood Maidstone NeighbourhoodWatch
says the email encourages the recip- ient to follow a link and register to find out where they live. The email it replies to is clerksof-
fice@wheat.boardmit.eu.
Fight arrest
POLICE have arrested a man fol- lowing a fight near shops in Maid- stone in which a manwas hurt. Emergency serviceswere called to
the shops off Boxley Road at Penen- den Heath and a man was taken to hospital.A53-year-old Bromleyman was arrested on suspicion of assault.
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