Community Action Delivers

WATT’S MEADOW

Community Action Delivers

After the sudden building of a fence around the entrance to Watt’s Meadow last Spring, came the sad realisation that not only had the Conservative Medway council sold the old nursery land to be built on but the public footpath through Watt’s Meadow was under threat. Derek Munton has been active throughout this campaign, holding meetings and going door to door with petitions and leaflets.

Local residents worked together to retain this important right of way by demanding that the footpath be registered as a definitive public footpath. The definitive path now goes through Watt’s Meadow but has been diverted by means of steps into Southfields.

When we photographed a notice that called for a gate to the housing site, Sarah immediately brought it to the attention of local people via her well established blog http://www.borstalgirl.blogspot.com/ . Meadows W.I. joined the protest. The combined strength of local objections forced council planning officers to take down the notice saying it was, ‘an incorrect description’ and bring the issue up at a full planning meeting. All this action means that there will be no gate restricting access to Watt’s Meadow through the new housing development in the foreseeable future.