Children and parents are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to saving their precious green space.
On Monday, Tonbridge and Malling’s scrutiny committee unanimously voted to recommend the council abandon plans to extend the Upper Castle Fields car park in Tonbridge at the expense of a green area close to Slade Primary School and used for after-school play.
Just two days later, scores of children turned out in force with colourful banners opposing the scheme.
Mum Laura Bayley said: “It was a really good turnout of Slade parents, pupils past and present, and local residents and several councillors came along as well.
“The children had made some wonderful posters and enjoyed picnics, music, football, chanting and a conga line. The atmosphere was incredible and the children really felt that their voices were being heard.”
“We were all dismayed at the cabinet proposal to extend the existing Upper Castle Field car park by creating an additional 28 parking spaces on our cherished, town-centre green space.
“We welcome the recommendation from the oversight and scrutiny committee that the proposal be overturned and look forward to hearing that the cabinet members have seen sense.”
“The parents of Slade Primary School and Slade area residents believe that this area should be protected and enhanced, for the health, safety and wellbeing of the local community and in order to strengthen biodiversity and minimise the council’s impact on climate change.
“The area has been proposed in the Local Plan as a Local Green Space, such is its value to Tonbridge.”
Upper Castle Field is opposite Slade Primary School and is a safe and busy route for the primary school run.
The field is used daily by children playing and picnicking, particularly Slade school children and their siblings, many of whom have limited access to green space at home.
Mrs Bayley continued: “The field is used year-round, and is vital when the play area at the racecourse sports ground is flooded.
“We believe the proposal sets a poor example to our children.
“Tonbridge town centre green spaces should be protected by the council, for the good of the community.
“Upper Castle Field has far more value to the town as a green asset than any potential, marginal, increases in council revenue.
“Paving over a popular, valued and well-used community open space is unjustifiable, unnecessary and would have a disproportionately negative impact on the local environment generally and the health, safety and wellbeing children of Slade school and residents in particular.
Mrs Bayley said: “We believe the council should encourage physical activity in children, at a time when childhood obesity rates in Tonbridge and Malling are high.
“We also have real concerns that extending the car park poses a safety risk to children, including by encouraging an increase in traffic on the high street and near Slade Primary School, increasing already high levels of local air pollution.
“It will also discourage walking to school and encourage driving.”
It was the second such protest by the children in a week.
Cabinet members are due to review their decision on the car park at a meeting on Tuesday, April 30.
