More than £3 million has been requested to fund the transformation of a recreation ground.

Stone Parish Council has dubbed its proposal “Stone Recreation Project” and is calling for a £3.8m grant from Dartford council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The planned renovation for the green space in London Road, Stone, includes a new community cafe to replace Lizzie’s current small eaterie and an expansion of the Stone Pavilion.

The cash would also pay for an increase in plants to improve air quality and better lighting and pathways.

Further improvements would be made to the war memorial and remembrance garden.

The parish council has put forward the plans to improve air quality in the area which has a high flow of traffic due to its proximity to the QEII Bridge, support biodiversity, aid community cohesion and enhance mental health and well-being.

It highlighted a 34.6% increase in the area’s population to 13,500 residents in the past 20 years with agreed planning permission to raise this number by another 4,000 in the next five years as the reason behind the plans.

The scheme, which is expected to cost a total of £4,470,000, is already being funded by an existing CIL grant of £650,000 and an Urban Tree Challenge Fund of more than £29,000 from The Forestry Commission.

The council has also applied for cash from Lower Thames Crossing Designated Funds and is awaiting a response.

But it is hoping the majority of the cost will come from the CIL, which allows local planning authorities to raise funds to support the delivery of large infrastructure required to support development within an area.

The parish council says the expansion of Stone Pavilion will enable more groups to use the space to run recreational activities.

The Pavilion is already used as a base for fitness classes, dance classes, martial arts and more but the council says it often has to turn away groups which make enquiries to use the hall as there is not enough space.

The parish council said: “Stone Recreation Ground is one of the largest open spaces available to the public in Stone Parish.

“The improvements planned for the grounds and the clubhouse will make this space more appealing for regular weekly scheduled use by local sports clubs or for other recreational activity.”

The parish council has promised to use its improved outdoor space to host community events which would give businesses the opportunity to sell products at events such as Christmas and craft markets.