A campaign has been launched to protect a “hidden gem” from development after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) put it on the market.
Old Park stretches across an area of woodland, scrub and grassland the size of 143 football pitches on the edge of Canterbury city centre.
Once used by the MoD as an infantry and driver training facility, it is now up for sale with “offers invited”.
But passionate locals are fundraising to purchase the land, which has been advertised with the potential for housing development.
Pat Edwards has been chair of the Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood since the group’s conception in 2022.
She told KentOnline: “It’s a big concern.
“We had hoped that the Ministry of Defence would work with the local authority and ourselves without going to a public sale, which means anybody could buy it for all kinds of purposes.
“[The land] isn’t in the Local Plan and there is no permission on it, but obviously speculators may speculate.”
The MoD says Old Park could be suitable for a “variety of uses” including housebuilding.
As part of the sale it has been split into three areas labelled A, B and C, the former being the largest and containing the popular Chequers Wood.
Estate agent Montague Evans says: “The Site does not benefit from planning permission for redevelopment and is designated in part as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
“However, subject to obtaining the necessary consents and surveys, the Site has potential for a range of uses.
“It could accommodate a range of outdoor leisure or activity uses which utilise the natural character of the space, with neighbouring uses including Canterbury golf course as well as other nearby sports facilities such as Polo Farm Sports Club.
“A new residential development by Taylor Wimpey (Howe Barracks) is located to the south of Area C.
“Subject to planning there is the potential for small-scale residential development as way of an extension or infill of the current development.”
The estate agent adds the land could be used as a strategic wetland to help combat planning issues surrounding the Stodmarsh wetland nearby, or for battery storage or solar power.
Campaigners, who regularly cycle and walk through the area, say the land being “fragmented” into different uses and developed would be the worst-case scenario.
Member Sian Pettman, 60, said: “It’s a site which is a mosaic of rare habitats.
“You’ve got ancient woodland, wet woodland and rare acid grassland.
“It’s a hidden gem of Canterbury. It’s really only over the last few years that people have woken up to what a special place we have right on our doorstep.
“I think the worst-case scenario is fragmentation and then piecemeal development of different parts in different ways.
“We’re trying to maintain the integrity of the site and actually restore it for nature.
“It hasn’t been looked after very well in recent years, so there’s the opportunity to care for rare habitats appropriately.”
Some of the rare species found in Old Park and Chequers Wood include turtle doves – a species which has seen a 99% decline since the 1970s.
On top of this, several types of reptiles and plants are found in the area.
But it is not just animals who enjoy the site.
Ms Edwards, who is also a city councillor, added: “Part of the importance of it is that it comes right into the city behind the estates along Sturry Road, Poets Estate, Querns, Howgreen and near Spring Lane.
“This is a lung for a huge amount of quite close-knit communities that don’t have a lot of open space.
“It’s really important to preserve it for that reason and also for the wider community. A lot of people will drive across town to go.”
The campaign is supported by 14 nature conservation organisations including the Woodland Trust, RSPB, Kent Wildlife Trust, CPRE and the Countryside Charity, as well as many local community groups.
They have a fundraising target of £100,000 to hopefully purchase the site and maintain it and are hoping to designate it as an asset of community value, to buy them more time to reach their goal.
The MoD began withdrawing operations from Old Park in 2020 and allowed public access.
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