The Importance of Kingsmead Field
The Kingsmead Playing Field (the field opposite the Kingsmead Leisure Centre on the Kingsmead Road) is the only significant green open space left in the Kingsmead area which is accessible to the public. But Canterbury City Council is hoping to sell it off for housing. This decision has been taken without any discussion with the local community and is ill-conceived for the following reasons:
- In 2003 the public identified the protection and enhancement of public open space as their top priority for the regeneration of the Kingsmead area. This is the last publicly accessible green open space left; the others have already been built on. It would be perverse to take it away.
- Two brownfield sites are available for development in the immediate vicinity (the old coach park and the SERCO site), so it makes no sense to concrete over the area's only remaining green field.
- Over the last few years, hundreds of new flats and houses have been built in the Kingsmead, many without gardens. More recreational space is needed, not less.
- This field is the only public area in Kingsmead large enough for a wide range of sporting activities and community events.
- The Kingsmead Playing field is one of the last remnants of the once extensive water meadows which gave Kingsmead its name and its character.
- The Kingsmead field’s riverside location makes it valuable as a haven for urban wildlife.
- The Kingsmead roundabout is a notorious congestion black-spot. Increased traffic from yet another housing development will only aggravate the problem.
- Northgate is one of the most deprived wards in the city, with very few green openspaces. The Council’s Open Space Strategy states that: “Everyone should haveaccess to a space where children can play within 300 metres of their home” .
