Council saves land from auction

Stone Parish Council has successfully saved land in Stone going to auction after negotiating the purchase of a number of plots in the parish.

Land Securities, a significant local landowner, recently announced their decision to sell a number of sites in and around Stone in the Clive Emson auction, which took place yesterday (21st September). The lots included key buildings, such as Stone Castle and Ebbsfleet United football stadium in Northfleet, alongside areas of land, many with development potential.

Concerns over the future use of available land prompted the council into action and early talks resulted in the purchase of a pocket park, of around one acre, at Charles Street and amenity land at Stone Place Road (known locally as Horns Cross Garden) at £2,500 and £1 respectively. Both pieces of land are used for recreational purposes by local residents and the council were keen to see this continue without threat of unwanted development.

The council were also very keen to secure a local site permitting the council to establish new allotments for the ever-increasing waiting list of prospective tenants keen to grow their own food.

Attention focused on an 8.23 acre site at Cotton Lane, which could have had a major impact on Stone Village as a prime site for development. Interest in the site was high and the council were keen to prevent further loss of green space with so much development already planned for the parish. The site, which runs alongside the railway between Davanden Kennels and Orchard Terrace, offers amazing potential for community-garden-related activities, providing schools, local groups and residents with the opportunity of growing produce and undertaking environmental projects.

On Friday, the Clerk and council members travelled to Maidstone to sign exchange papers after negotiating purchase of the site for a sum of £90,000. With interest rates currently so low, the council are confident that the purchase represents a sound investment of reserves and an excellent opportunity for the council to expand provision.

Chairman of the Council, Cllr Thurza Richards said,
“The council has used a significant amount of reserves to bring this site under council ownership and we are very keen that a strategy is quickly established that will deliver major benefit to local residents. We will be working with bodies such as Groundwork UK and the North-West-Kent Countryside Partnership to establish the potential for a community garden project and are keen to also seek residents’ views on ideas.”

Funding for a project will be discussed as part of the council’s budget pr eparations for 2010/11 and is likely to be supported by bids to the Big Lottery and other environmental funding bodies.

The council is also due to publish a five-year strategy for 2010-2015 early next year outlining the areas of focus which will undoubtedly include a project at the new site at Cotton Lane as well as plans for the new sports pavilion at the recreation ground, which should be complete by the end of 2010.

Initial groundwork at Cotton Lane is aimed to take place over the winter enabling allotments to be ready by spring.