A petition group is one step closer to protecting an open space.

Maidstone Borough Council has agreed to apply for Weavering Heath, in Grove Green, to be classified as a Village Green.

The Friends of Weavering Heath and Woodlands group started an e-petition in April 2019 asking for the local authority, which owns the land, to apply to Kent County Council for the rating.

At the policy and resources committee last night (January 22), members agreed to put forward the application on the campaigners behalf.

It is hoped the declaration will provide greater protection against development on the site.

The council assured residents it is committed to maintaining it as an open space until 2062 but they were still concerned what would happen to it after that date.

The petitioners presented several reasons for application at the meeting, including the use of the space for activities and the protection of a protected species of common lizard which resides there.

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