Villagers hope to buy a sports field at the heart of a controversial housing development after its owner unexpectedly announced it was selling it.
The Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Residents Development Group (CCWRDG) has reformed in an attempt to purchase the APCM Recreation Ground from Trenport Investments.
A notice was displayed at the site in Church Street, Cliffe, on December 19 stating the developers’ intentions to sell the land.
In 2022, residents successfully campaigned for the APCM to be listed as an asset of community value which means they now have the opportunity to buy it before it is put on the open market.
The notice added: “Any community interest group may now make a written request to be treated as a bidder for the land.
“During the moratorium periods, the owner may not dispose of the land other than to a community interest group.
“If no sale to a community interest group is agreed during the applicable moratorium period, then the owner will be free to sell the property on the open market during a protected period expiring on June 18, 2026.”
They were given until January 30 to submit initial interest and a spokeswoman for the CCWRDG has confirmed the group has sent a letter of intention to bid for the APCM ground to Medway Council.
A full moratorium period will now apply meaning the land cannot be sold to anyone except a community interest group before June 18.
However, it does not mean the owner has to accept the offer and is still free to sell it to another buyer after that date.
The spokeswoman for the CCWRDG said a public meeting was held on January 25 where the committee was reformed to seek ways to respond to the sale.
She added: “There was a tangible renewed sense of optimism in the room.
“As we await the response of Medway Council, we are reopening avenues to search for relevant documents and information pertaining to the APCM.”
The committee believes there is an historical document which states the sports field was left to the village in 1972 by its then-owners.
Despite efforts, no concrete evidence has yet been found but the group is determined to continue searching and has submitted an FOI to the unitary authority asking to view historic leases.
The APCM land is in the middle of a controversial housing development which Trenport received outline planning permission for following a lengthy planning battle.
Trenport originally submitted proposals for the 250-home scheme with a mixed-use community hub and open space, on either side of Church Street, in February 2022 but received pushback from both villagers and the council.
To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.
A campaign was set up to object to the proposals by residents who raised concerns about traffic on the B2000, lack of services such as doctors and schools, and the planned relocation of the recreation ground to Buttway Lane.
Members of the council’s planning committee unanimously refused the scheme in October 2022 as it was deemed it would harm the character of the historic village.
They were also concerned about plans to relocate the APCM to Buttway Lane, at the northern end of the village, and how car-dependent the development would be due to the inadequacy of bus services.
Despite the decision, Trenport submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, the government’s planning inspector, and a public inquiry was held in May 2023 where the scheme was given the green light.
In their report, inspectors concluded it would bring “a number of benefits” including the provision of affordable housing, improved sports and community facilities and a “substantial area” of open space.
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