First look at new child's playground for Shorne Woods Country Park in Gravesend

by My Kent Family reporter

Images of how a children's playground at a country park will look have been revealed.

Kent County Council's planning committee has been looking at proposals to install a new play area at Shorne Woods Country Park in Gravesend.

CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale
CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale

The recreational equipment for children aged 12 and under includes items like a model pirate ship and steam train, climbing frames, swings and slides.

KCC bought Shorne Woods in 1982. It opened as a country park in 1987.

Shorne Woods is one of nine country parks which are run by the authority, including 170 acres of woodland at Trosley Country Park in the North Downs.

Historically, Shorne Woods was part of the medieval Cobham Hall Estate. The area was later used as an army camp during World War II.

CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale
CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale

The park covers 292 acres of woodland, wetlands and meadows. It contains an eco-friendly visitor centre, cafe, garden, fishing lakes, picnic and play areas.

KCC's planned new play area will be based near an adventure play area near the main visitor hub and cafe.

There would also be a 1m high timber fence around it with metal self-closing gates.

KCC says it hopes the new play area will improve health and wellbeing for young children, whilst respecting the local habitat.

It would be situated in the Metropolitan Green Belt and Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale
CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale
CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale
CGI of the planned playground for Shorne Woods Country Park Picture: Playdale

Green Belt land is usually preserved but the proposed development has been described as "relatively small" and would not cause significant harm.

A KCC report says: “The proposal would also maintain the use of the land for outdoor recreation.

"The facilities would preserve the openness of the Green Belt, and therefore not be considered as ‘inappropriate development’.”

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