A busy park is set to have a new adventure playground if plans go through.

Plans submitted by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) detail a wish to build a pay-to-use adventure park in Mote Park, called Adventure Zone.

This course would include high wires, a climbing wall, and an adventure golf course.

There would also be a Segway hire facility, and a course to ride the Segways around.

The application for planning permission was submitted by Dawn Hudd, who is currently head of commercial and economic development at MBC.

This department is responsible for economic development, regeneration, cultural services, and leisure services.

The design and access statement for the plans was prepared by Allen Scott Ltd on behalf of the local authority.

The area earmarked for the site is towards the north eastern corner of the park.

This part of the park currently houses a playground, skate park, overflow car park, and climbing wall.

The proposed area for the application is seven hectares.

The adventure zone will be locked out of hours to keep the site secure, and there will also be a ticket kiosk for people to pay to play.

Volunteer group the Mote Park Fellowship has been kept updated throughout the plans.

In a letter to the council, Simon Ginnaw, the group's chairman, said: "Our primary concern, regarding the playground and skate park, are that all existing free facilities should be replaced by equivalent or enhanced facilities.

"Existing users of the park should not be adversely affected by the introduction of the new pay-for Adventure Zone."

He continued: "We are very enthusiastic about the plans and the development would offer greatly improved services to all visitors, providing our concerns are resolved."

This letter draws attention to a concern of many young people who use the existing skate park, that this facility will be removed and not replaced.

This point is address in the community consultation statement of the proposals.

It states: "Following the latest meeting in the park with skate park users, it has been requested that they respond in writing to the parks and leisure manager by email with any comments.

"Because of the young age of the majority of skaters it has been difficult to survey them formally."

In spite of this, the above diagram shows a fifth area of the planned zone, which is not yet designated for development. In the design and access statement, this zone is marked as "future use/enhanced skate park".

This document also notes that a survey of park users, which was carried out in December 2014, inspired the designs for the adventure park.

It states: "Once planning consent is issued and a start date is agreed, it is proposed to carry out consultation in Mote Park Cafe, on Maidstone Borough Council's website, and via social media, to make users aware of the works that will be taking place.

"This will also inform users of any disruption that will take place, but look to reassure them when the work will be completed and the new facilities that will then be available to them."

The plans were validated by the council on Thursday, September 15, and have been submitted for approval.