by Gerry Warren
gwarren@thekmgroup

Save Chaucer Fields campaigners in Canterbury say they are poised to serve formal notice on the University of Kent of their application to have the land designated as a village green.

The group now has around 360 witness statements of the land’s recreational use by the community dating back decades.

The university wants to build seven blocks of accommodation for more than 700 students, an hotel and a conference centre on the fields which are away from the main campus and close to homes in the Harkness Drive area.

It says it will 'robustly defend’ the application and is preparing its planning application.

But Ursula Harris, who is one of the leading campaigners for the group, says: “We are seeking to preserve free access and the right to roam and use the land for amenity purposes, across the slopes, meadow and woodland for all local people, while protecting the slopes from development. “Village green status would formalise and safeguard the use of the land that many local people use as a popular, informal open space, as has been the case for more than 30 years.”

She added: “We wrote to the university last April about our application and also hand delivered a a letter to the university on Friday advising them of the amended application and additional statements. We are required to formally notify the university of the application as directed by the KCC and it will be done this week.”

The group says it has strengthend its evidence after receiving legal advice and now expects Kent County Council to formally publish the application shortly.

It is also contacting the city council and councillors advising them of the latest process.

A six-week public consultation is due to start on February 5 when comments on the proposal will be received by the KCC.

But it is still expected to be several more months before a decision is made.

UKC spokesman Martin Herrema said: “The University will defend robustly any application to have its land registered as a village green.
“The University has reviewed its plans for its proposed development on the site next to Chaucer College and intends to submit a revised application in due course.
“It remains, however, the firm belief of the University and its advisers that the site in question is the only appropriate site for the proposed development.”