Allotment holders, whose gardens date back more than 40 years, would be turfed off their plots if a parish council's plan to expand a village's tennis club gets the go ahead.

Proposals by Bearsted Parish Council have caused major concern among gardeners.

Those plans would see the allotments moved, creating more plots, while extending the car park by Holy Cross Church and providing two new tennis courts which would be used for and paid for by Bearsted & Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club.

It comes after Richard and Dina Ashness donated another patch of land, opposite to the current Church Landway Allotment, although still on the same stretch of footpath, to the council.

Tony Grieve, of Cross Keys, Maidstone, is an allotment holder on the present Church Landway site, as is his wife Sandra.

He claims they were not properly consulted.

“Talks would have been going on for months,” said Mr Grieve, a former member of Bearsted council.

“When rumours started, we inquired about the plans and it was categorically denied, and then - an hour or so before the announcement was made - we received an email from the council.”

The council plans would see the number of allotments increased from 27 to 48, while toilets and a Dementia-Friendly Children's Gardens would also be added.

It is understood the council has set aside £100,000 of public money for the work.

Mr Grieve, 74, who has set up a “Save Bearsted Allotments” Facebook group which has more than 75 members, added: “They are talking about it taking two or three years. But, to be fair, some of the allotment holders are a similar age to me or even older.

“The council is saying they have got a waiting list of 20 people.

“But from past experience, people quite often put themselves down for allotments, but change their mind when they realise the amount of work that goes into it.”

Kim Martin, club captain of Bearsted & Thurnham Lawn Tennis Club, has welcomed the proposal.

He said: “We are really pleased.

“I think what they have come up with is absolutely excellent.”

Denis Spooner (Con), Maidstone Borough Council’s Bearsted ward representative, took a more measured approach.

He said: “I have an open mind to the proposal but I do have serious concerns about the way it has been handled by the parish council.”

Bearsted Parish Council say the aim of the project is to improve, advance and facilitate leisure activities for a substantial number of residents living in the village.

They say, over the past few years, a lack of allotment plots available to residents, inadequate parking near to Church Landway, a lack of public toilets and the requirement for more lighting in the area have been raised as some key issues that need addressing. They accept "not all issues will be resolved" but they will look to find solutions wherever possible.

A spokeman said: "'Project A' is at the very early stages, an outline of the project was put together but this by no means reflects a final design. The design process will not commence until the public consultation is complete, which is August 3."

"The vast majority of feedback that BPC has received is very positive and in favour of the improved facilities," they added.

"There are some concerned allotment holders and BPC is committed to work with the newly-formed allotment working group to take their ideas and practical advice to make a new allotment garden a huge asset to the parish and the parishioners that have a plot within.

"Sadly, there is a lot of statements circulating about 'Project A' that are totally unfounded, factually incorrect and untrue.

"BPC ask that those that have any questions about 'Project A' come directly to us, so that we can ensure that only correct information is shared."

Mr Martin, 64, says the Church Landway club has gone from strength to strength recently and now has around 500 members.

"Two extra courts would be really good. At the moment, we could have four courts just being used by the youngsters,” he said.

"I like to see the youngsters coming in because they don’t get as much exercise at school any more as I got when I was at school.”

He believes some of the facts being circulated by those who object to the plans are inaccurate, with a website and Twitter account having been set up, as well as the allotment Facebook page.

"Two extra courts would be really good..."

“Take away the fact I'm club captain of the tennis club, I just think it is great for the whole community,” said Mr Martin.

“One or two allotment holders are a bit unhappy but I think it's a win-win situation for everybody.

“Some people just don’t like change. That’s the way of the world.

“Unfortunately, those who are unhappy usually comment.”

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