Green spaces in Sandwich set to be transformed by Dover District Council
00:01, 20 December 2014
It’s good news for Sandwich as the district council prepares to transform green spaces in the town.
This comes after Sandwich Town Council initially stated it felt left-out of the Parks and Amenity Open Space Strategy.
The council felt that there was no provision for Sandwich and DDC deputy leader Cllr Sue Chandler agreed.
She said: “It didn’t involve a strategic plan for Sandwich and I thought that wasn’t fair.
“The aim is to join up all the wonderful areas of green space around the town and looking to create a project around a bigger strategic open space.”
Speaking at the Sandwich Town Council meeting on Monday, she explained the project at Sandwich would be the next Kearnsey Abbey, which has received £1 million of funding to develop.
Cllr Chandler explained a site meeting at The Ramparts in Sandwich was held in September to give the district council the chance of seeing the green spaces in the area.
The town council and district council have been negotiating and are now at the stage where it is looking to hold a stakeholders meeting to settle plans and source funding.
She added: “We want a strategic park that empowers the community and provides a partnership project.”
Kirsty Ash, project officer, explained the stakeholder workshop will be held at the Guildhall on February 25.
Cllr John Bragg said: “I think this is a splendid project, I am well behind it.”
Cllr Mark Moorhouse raised concerns that it could interfere with the former KCC Ash Road depot which he explained the council would like to see made into a coach park.
Cllr Chandler confirmed that Kent County Council is looking to sell the site and that this will be taken into consideration.