Victory For Upper Castle Field: Village Green Status Secures Its Future

Pictured are Cllrs Mark Hood, Kath Barton and Anna Cope at the community protest held to oppose the car parks expansion.

Upper Castle Field, a cherished green space in the heart of Tonbridge, has been granted Village Green status, effectively safeguarding it from future development. This momentous decision by the Kent County Council Regulation Panel comes as a result of tireless campaigning by the local community, spearheaded by the Slade Area Residents Association (SARA).

The panel convened earlier today to consider the application, with compelling arguments presented by Jacquie Wyatt, the applicant, alongside Green Party County Councillors Mark Hood and Paul Stepto. After reviewing the officer’s recommendations, the panel unanimously approved the application.

This designation ensures Upper Castle Field is protected from potential threats, such as the controversial proposal to expand the adjacent car park earlier this year. That proposal, which would have resulted in the loss of open space, faced significant opposition from local residents and Judd Ward Councillors Mark Hood and George Hines, supported by Green Party colleagues at the borough council. Mark Hood, when asked for comments, said the following:

“We are delighted that the hard work of residents has paid off and now Upper Castle Field has Village Green status. Now we can be assured that the ‘green lung’ that Cllr Paul Stepto described when he urged the council to approve the application will endure without the encroachment of tarmac and concrete. My own children attended Slade School and now my nieces have the opportunity to enjoy this space too, as will many generations to come. This is great example of what can be achieved when people in a community pull together and make a difference.

Many thanks to Jacquie Wyatt and Ruth Herbert of the Slade Area Residents Association for bringing their application to the Regulation Committee today to secure the future of this amenity space for all to enjoy.

We will continue talking to the borough council about additional tree planting using the KCC Plan Tree scheme to ensure we provide some shade so that residents and schoolchildren are able to enjoy this treasured space.”

A Win for the Community

Today’s victory is a testament to the power of community action. Jacquie Wyatt and Ruth Herbert from SARA worked tirelessly to mobilize support, challenge development proposals, and submit the Village Green application. Their dedication, combined with support from Green Party councillors and the wider Tonbridge community, has preserved a vital space for recreation and environmental sustainability.

This decision also highlights the importance of aligning local policies with broader environmental goals. The car park expansion proposal, which would have replaced grassland with tarmac, directly contradicted the council’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing public health. These priorities are outlined in the council’s Climate Change Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan.

Background on the Campaign

The initial proposal to create 28 additional car parking spaces at Upper Castle Field sparked widespread concern. Opponents argued that it violated the Tonbridge Centre Area Action Plan (TCAAP), which aims to preserve the area’s historic and recreational character while reducing traffic and improving air quality. Studies commissioned by the council even indicated that the need for extra parking was not justified, further undermining the case for development.

Furthermore, the area’s location within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) raised additional concerns. Adding more vehicles to an already congested zone near Slade Primary School and senior housing would exacerbate air pollution, posing significant health risks to vulnerable residents.

Looking Ahead

The granting of Village Green status ensures that Upper Castle Field remains a green sanctuary for generations to come. This victory demonstrates the importance of community engagement in shaping local development decisions and holding councils accountable to their environmental and public health commitments.

Congratulations to all involved in this remarkable achievement, especially the Slade Area Residents Association, Councillors Mark Hood, George Hines, Paul Stepto, and everyone who joined the fight to protect Upper Castle Field.

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