'Deangate Parkland funding is welcome news. We proposed it four years ago' - say Medway Liberal Democrats

Medway Liberal Democrats welcome yesterday's news (11th June) of Medway Council's Cabinet approval of the release of s106 funding to fund the development and management of Deangate Community Parkland.

Liberal Democrats have called for Deangate to be retained as a Country Park since March 2021, when we commented on the Council’s “New Routes to Growth” consultation paper.

Over the past four years, residents have effectively demonstrated the need to keep and protect the entire Deangate Ridge Golf Club and Sports Complex asset by their continued and extensive use of the site for recreation. The evidence clearly shows that the area plays a vital role in the community, providing an essential wildlife sanctuary and an area for public recreation, and acting as a treasured ‘green lung’.

Alan Wells, Liberal Democrat campaigner said, "Four years ago, the council's consultation paper lacked substance with “vague environmental assurances".  In response, we proposed that specific plans should be drawn up, using money allocated to the environment budget in the then Housing Infrastructure Fund, for Deangate be kept as country parkland."

Graham Colley, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Rochester and Strood  said "Deangate acts as a buffer to Lodge Hill, which is the only protected SSSI site in the country for breeding nightingales, and will be a continuation of a green wildlife area, protecting and enhancing the rich biodiversity.

The country park is a great asset for Medway and the Hoo Peninsula, and we feel that Deangate's future should be at the heart of any future development in Hoo."

ENDS

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