People Power! Weymouth Road Land Sell Off Deferred After Huge Response from Local Residents

A campaign by Cheriton residents and the Liberal Democrats has at least partially paid off after Shepway Council decided, for now, not to proceed with the sale of the area of land between Weymouth Road and the Bowls Club.

The plan to sell the land by Weymouth Road for a development of up to 6 houses was revealed by Shepway Council in September. After a massive number of objections from local residents, especially those in Langdon and Weymouth Roads, the Council appear to have backed down from the hugely controversial decision - at least until after the elections in May.

The actual decision (Shepway Council decision 06/103) is to "not progress the disposal of the [Weymouth Road, Cheriton] site until consideration has been given to the potential of the land to be used for alternative recreational uses".

Cheriton campaigners Peter Gane, Peter Carroll and Tim Prater worked to raise the profile of the sell-off plan, and have pledged to continue to fight for the park, and thanked local residents for their huge response.

Peter Gane said:

"This is a really good first step for local residents determined not oppose this development. Cheriton Rec is an important environmental resource to the residents in this area and it should be protected - all of it, for good. Any residential development here would, I feel, set a precedent on this land."

Tim Prater thanked the residents who had sent their views to the Council. He said:

"This is down to Cheriton people power. The Lib Dem team made sure in September that as many people as possible in the area had heard of the sell-off plan, and urged them to make their voice heard to the Council.

"The Council seemed to tell very few people directly - only around 6 adjacent houses - about the plan, which was incredible. The impact of a sell-off would be much wider than that, and we're delighted that so many responses were received against the plan that the Council has thought again."

Peter Carroll added:

"The Lib Dem team remain committed to ensuring that ALL of Cheriton Rec - including the Weymouth Road land - remains in recreational use for good. The Tory and People First Council have shown their intention in coming up with the sell-off plan in the first place. It's left to the Lib Dems to stand up for the views of local residents."

The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with local residents to ensure the whole of Cheriton Rec - including the land by the Bowls Club - remains for recreational use.