Members of Birchington Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Group have laid out proposals for protecting and improving the village over the next decade.
The group is working to look at areas of the village affected by Thanet’s Draft Local Plan and how quality of life can be maintained.
The group say Birchington needs more recreational space, green corridors and better cycle paths.
Improved play facilities, particularly for the under-fives, but also for older age groups in the form of a skateboard park, are also recommended.
The group says existing recreational grounds need to be protected and developed to enhance their use, unless replaced with better local sporting facilities such as a comprehensive leisure centre.
The group say additional resources are needed to support the Birchington Sea Shelters group in their mission to renovate and repair nine of the structures and more toilet and changing facilities, particularly at the eastern end of Minnis Bay, are needed to cater for locals and the growing number of tourists.
Provision of more allotments is suggested although suitable land has not been identified so far.
A spokesman for the neighbourhood plan group said: “Birchington is a distinct and thriving community with education, health, social and leisure facilities which contribute greatly to the local quality of life.
“The parish is well-loved and has maintained its strong social core and is extremely active with community clubs, associations and societies, covering a wide range of interests and activities across all age groups.
“Though most leisure activities take place in the village, the parish as a whole has much to offer and serves as a centre for a much wider rural catchment area. Through the safeguarding of local community facilities and services and encourage the provision of new services the Neighbourhood Plan aims to strengthen Birchington as a vibrant community serving the needs of all sections of the community and visitors.”
Thanet’s Draft Local Plan –which runs until 2031 –sets out how much development is needed to support the future population and economy. Allocating land through the plan is designed to give the council greater control over where and what type of developments can take place.
Birchington is earmarked as a strategic housing site. An extra 600 houses have been allocated towards the end of the draft plan period after the provision for 2,500 homes at the Manston airport site was removed last month.
The homes are in addition to 1,100 originally proposed and several submissions for allocation put forward this year which will more than double that figure.
Neighbourhood plan meetings are held at The Centre on the first Monday of every month except bank holidays at 7pm, all welcome. If you would like to become a neighbourhood plan volunteer please contact the Clerk, [email protected]
