Latest News
Additional buses running
Two additional buses now run on Mondays to Fridays at 1745 hours from Downswood to Maidstone and at 1811 hours from Maidstone Bus Station to Downswood.
Speedwatch Initiative
19th April 2024
The Parish Council has been contacted by PC James Phillips, who is inquiring whether residents would be interested in participating in a Community Speedwatch initiative. This program requires a team of local residents who are willing to volunteer a small amount of time each week. Volunteers...
Local Council Elections
16th April 2024
The Downswood Parish Council operates as a non-partisan body. All Election nominations reside within Downswood, except for two nominations who are affiliated with political parties and reside outside of Downswood. The Councillor profiles on the Downswood Parish Council website are the...
Tree works - Spot Lane Nature Reserve
16th April 2024
An update from Maidstone Borough Council. Following a survey at Spot Lane Local Nature Reserve a number of trees have been highlighted as needing work to maintain a balance for public safety and good forestry management – as such MBC’s contractor with be on site at various times over the...
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 25.03.24
11th April 2024
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 25.03.24 ...
Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 Adoption
3rd April 2024
Adoption of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review The Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review and associated Policies Map were adopted by the Council at its meeting on 20th March 2024. The Local Plan Review provides a comprehensive planning framework for the borough for the period 2021 to 2038. ...
Suspect arrested after series of thefts
28th February 2024
We have been asked by Kent Police to share the following link: Suspect arrested after series of thefts from cars in Maidstone | Kent Police Sharing information on Facebook will NOT necessarily reach the Police, or help with investigations. Please report all non emergency crimes to 101,...
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner's Winter Newsletter
27th February 2024
Kent Police and Crime Commissioner's Newsletterwinter_newsletter_2024946.pdf ...
Crime Roundup
19th February 2024
Downswood Parish Council is proud of our successful partnership with other agencies, particularly the Police, in maintaining the safety of Downswood throughout 2023. The low crime figures, as indicated on the Kent Police website, reflect the effectiveness of these collaborative efforts. ...
Spot Lane Nature Reserve
14th February 2024
Outline Project Plan The following has been presented to Maidstone Borough Council Green Spaces Manager and following a very successful meeting have agreed to take this forward. Exciting news and updates will appear as we go forwards. Spot Lane Nature Reserve presents an...
Police Newsletters
12th February 2024
Rural Policing & Rural Task Force Newsletters: Rural Mattersjanuary_2024_ monthly_report___rtf972.pdf ...
Deringwood Drive/Willington Street Road Works
2nd February 2024
Information provided from Walkers Construction: We are planning to start works on the 12/02/2024. We will be installing 3-way lights so we can have lane closures for when we are working to protect the work force on the junction of Willington street and Deringwood Drive. ...
Speed Survey Results
1st February 2024
The following results are from the speed survey that was requested by Downswood Parish Council for Deringwood Drive, Church Road and Willington Street. The survey was carried out over 7 days, commencing 25 November '23. The results are summarised as follows: Willington Street...
Post Office Closure (temporary?) - Ashford Rd, Bearsted
19th January 2024
...
30 MPH Extension - Church Road
20th December 2023
As from 22 December 2023, the 30 MPH Speed Limit for Church Road, Otham will be extended by 211 metres in a southerly direction to the entrance to Squerryes Oast. RTO Order RTO Map ...
Public Participation at Parish Council Meetings
10th December 2023
Guidance has been added to the website which is provided by the Kent Association of Local Councils and applies to all Parish Councils. https://www.downswoodpc.org/sp... ...
Temporary Footpath Closure - Mon 11 to Fri 15 Dec
8th December 2023
Advance notice – Foxden Drive Park. To allow electrical connections to be installed by UKPN, it will be necessary to close the footpath at the top of the steps by The Beams to the Public Right of Way. The path is expected to be closed from Monday 11 Dec to Friday 15 Dec. ...
Media Policy
6th December 2023
The DPC Media Policy has been updated. You can find the policy on the link below: Link to Policy page ...
Willington Street Closure 29.01.24
27th November 2023
...
Public Right of Way - The Glebe
9th November 2023
The Glebe, Otham. The landowner has recently applied to move the TPO trees in the Glebe field, possibly to make space for future road access and housing, as they have previously proposed developing the land. It is vital that we retain its designation as Local Green Space when the Neighbourhood...
Foxden Drive - Lighting Plans
9th November 2023
The following update has been provided by Maidstone Borough Council Six new columns will be installed at Foxden Drive Park (shown as red dots on the diagram below) and three old columns will remain and be refurbed (currently not working). MBC are trying to arrange for...
Christmas Carols and Lights 02.12.23 4 pm
9th November 2023
...
Use of Public Space CCTV
7th November 2023
The latest news and updates on the use of Public Space CCTV Parish Council ...
ASB - Mallards Way Park
26th October 2023
Good work is being undertaken by PCSO Kirsty Greaves (Maid Community Safety Unit) & PC Mitch Hunt and his team! https://www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/latest/policing-news/pcso-launches-fishing-event-to-reduce-nuisance-behaviour-in-maidstone/ This helps to highlight that if it’s reported,...
Update - Foxden Drive Ramp, Steps and Lighting
5th October 2023
Update received 23.10.23 Confirmation has been received from Bellway Homes that the new ramp is now tarmacked and the anti-slip coating will be applied this week. However, a delay in the reopening of the footpath is expected as 5 street columns have been added to the scheme. These are...
Maidstone Local Plan Review - Main Modifications Consultation
29th September 2023
Maidstone Local Plan Review – Main Modifications Consultation following Examination. The Local Plan Review will provide the planning framework for development in the borough until 2038. The polices within the plan will be used to assess planning applications and guide future development in...
Mallards Way/Spot Lane Closure
25th September 2023
Information received from Kent Highways To enable large patching/pot hole repairs to be carried out, Mallards Way/Spot Lane will be closed from 23 to 27 October, during working hours. Residents will be allowed access during the course of the work. The centre white lining of Deringwood...
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 12.09.23
14th September 2023
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 12.09.23 ...
Electoral arrangements: Bearsted and Downswood
24th August 2023
Residents may recall that the Borough’s proposal to change the parish electoral arrangements was discussed by Downswood Parish Council last year. Two Parish Councillors attended a workshop that had been organised by MBC and a link to the proposal was shared on the parish website. Whilst...
Litter Bins - Mallards Way Park
23rd August 2023
New Litter Bins – Mallards Park. Following concerns that were expressed regarding the new litter bins at Mallards Park. ...
Temporary Footway Closure - Pedestrianised Old Spot Lane
23rd August 2023
UK Power Networks works. KENT COUNTY COUNCIL Spot Lane, Downswood (PROHIBITION OF PEDESTRIANS) THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 TEMPORARY ORDER OCTOBER 2023 UK Power Networks works. To allow network upgrading works to be carried out, Kent County Council has made an Order to...
Mallards Way Litter Bin Update
15th August 2023
DPC has contacted MBC to enquire about the new litter bins at Mallards Park (no consultation took place prior to the bins being installed). DPC pointed out that the new locations are not considered suitable and that operatives will most likely have to spend time picking up and clearing away the...
Annual Policing Survey
8th August 2023
Annual Policing Survey 2023 (smartsurvey.co.uk) ...
Maidstone's Eco Hub
4th August 2023
Come and visit Maidstone’s Eco Hub Maidstone’s Eco Hub is now open and can be visited for advice and information about becoming more sustainable. It will be available at The Mall shopping centre, Maidstone, until Friday 8 September. Following the success of a similar centre which...
Olympicnic 2023 Photos
18th July 2023
Olympicnic 2023 | Downswood Parish Council (downswoodpc.org) ...
Garden Competition Results 2023
18th July 2023
This year’s DPC Garden Competition was judged by Mr Dan Stevens – Snr Plant Manager of Millbrook Garden Centre, Staplehurst. We are pleased to announce the winning gardens as follows: 1st PRIZE: 27 Reinden Grove ‘A really lovely garden with a great range of mature shrubs and...
Report all criminal activity to the Police
17th July 2023
Following recent and all future incidents in the parish. PC Mitch Hunt would like to encourage all of those who have been involved to report incidents via 101, or the online reporting system on the Kent Police website and to mention 'PC 15334 Hunt'. Report a crime | Kent Police ...
SE Water Main Replacement, Upper St, Leeds
11th July 2023
A Message from South East Water We would like to thank everyone for their concern and input regarding the South East Water infrastructure project in Upper Street, Leeds. South East Water was pleased to have been able to complete the majority of phase one in private land to prevent prolonged...
My Community Voice
3rd July 2023
https://www.mycommunityvoicekent.co.uk/ My Community Voice is a messaging service that helps Kent and Medway residents, businesses, and community groups to keep in touch with their local policing teams. The service sends updates about your local area directly from the police officers themselves. ...
Temp Rd Closure - Otham Lane, Bearsted From 24.07.23
27th June 2023
...
SE Water Public Meeting
23rd June 2023
South East Water, Rocfort Road, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AH Following our public drop-in session on 17 May where we heard from many members of the community. Following that session we have been speaking with Kent Highways to address the issues raised, primarily concern about the road closure and...
Parsonage Place - Piling Update
14th June 2023
Update from Bellway Homes. The piling rig will return to Parsonage Place tomorrow (Thursday 15 June). Depending on the time of arrival, piling might start the same day. We have been assured that a shroud will be fitted, which should help with the noise. It's currently...
Rooftop Solar Revolution
1st June 2023
Donate Have you heard about our ...
Foxden Drive Play Area & Field - Update re Planned Works
31st May 2023
Foxden Drive Play Area & field– Briefing Note 31/5/2023 Andrew Williams, Parks & Open Spaces Manager Forthcoming works relating to Bellways Development: Sewer Connection: The Bellway development on Church Road has the right to connect to the 6” sewer running under the field at Foxden...
Mayor of Maidstone - Downswood's Cllr Gordon Newton
23rd May 2023
Congratulations to Downswood's Councillor Gordon Newton and Mrs Carol Newton who became Mayor & Mayoress of Maidstone last Saturday, 20th May. ...
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 17.05.23
18th May 2023
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 17.05.23 ...
Ramp - Foxden Drive Park
15th May 2023
Bellway Homes has provided an update regarding work on the ramp at Foxden Drive Park. The work was originally intended to be carried out in February but this was delayed by MBC. Having checked the trees that are due to be removed, the ecologist has found nesting birds in one of...
Foxden Drive Play Area/Ramp
11th May 2023
The following update was received from Bellway Homes this morning: 'We will be fencing of the ramp area to Foxdown Park to allow us to start building the new cycle ramp today, and tomorrow we will be removing trees that have been agreed that need to be removed to accommodate this work, there...
Report Anti Social Behaviour on British Rail
11th April 2023
How to report anti-social behaviour on our rail networks. Traveling without paying, anti-social behaviour and other risk taking behaviour is becoming an increasing concern for us all on our rail networks. It also leads to increases in these behaviours in areas where young people meet, but...
Mallards Park
6th April 2023
Mallards Park MBC informed the Parish Council some months ago that work is due to be carried out at Mallards Park. Having chased this up, DPC can advise that a project budget is now available to MBC and they will start drawing up a specification with the following aims for the lake and...
Deringwood Drive/Willington St Traffic Lights Update
5th April 2023
DPC has been advised that due to the ‘dip’ in Willington Street at the junction with Deringwood Drive, KCC Highways have decided that it would be unsafe to put any form of traffic signals in this location. This meets the requirements from the Planning Inspector of ‘appropriate junction...
Kent Bus Service Changes Bulletin - March, April, ,May and June 2023
4th April 2023
Bus services in the UK operate in a de-regulated (privatised) environment outside of the control of KCC who do not license or contract operators or their services. Bus operators are able to change or cancel or any service by giving 70 days’ notice to the Department for Transport. Operators...
Notes from meeting with Bellway Homes 18.01.23
9th February 2023
Notes from meeting Bellway Homes 18.01.23 Note re pile driving. DPC was subsequently advised that the pile driving has been delayed as is now due to start week commencing 13.02.23 ...
No 4 Bus Timetable (19.02.23)
30th January 2023
The revised Number 4 bus timetable commencing 19.02.23 is below: https://api.arrivabus.co.uk/ro... ...
Temporary Footpath Closure
27th January 2023
Notice of the intention to make an Order to temporarily close Public Footpath KM86 in the Parishes of Otham and Downswood(Public Footpath KM86) Kent County Council intends to make an Order the effect of which is to temporarily close Public Footpath KM86 between Church Road and...
Closure of Church Road
4th January 2023
Notice of Road Closure. Important update: Due to the short notice received, the closure of Church Road will be delayed by one week. This will now commence on 16 January 2023, with a completion date of 7 February 2023. The Parish Council was informed today that Church Road will be...
Local Government Boundary Commission
30th November 2022
The final recommendations for future electoral arrangements for Maidstone Borough Council have been published. The Boundary Commission are proposing that Maidstone Borough Council should have 49 councillors. Those councillors should represent three single-councillor wards, 11...
MBC Waste Collection Services - Christmas & New Year
28th November 2022
Maidstone Borough Council, Waste Services has advised that there will be collection round changes affecting all properties over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Bulky collections are suspended after 23 December, to restart from Tuesday 10 January. Garden waste...
Notes from Bellway Homes Meeting 16.09.22
23rd September 2022
Bellway Homes Meeting 16.09.22 ...
Trees - St Nicholas Church
26th August 2022
Further to the concerns regarding the removal of 'ancient hedgerow' in front of St. Nicholas Church Having spoken to BH and a representative from the Church (awaiting a call back from KCC), we can confirm that the trees were the property of KCC. There was no ancient hedgerow, only shrubs that...
Notes re meeting Bellway Homes 03.08.22
4th August 2022
notes_re_meeting_with_bellway_homes_02_08_22255.pdf ...
Wild Flowers
3rd August 2022
An update on the very successful wild flowers on Deringwood Drive. Two volunteers from DPC (one councillor and a councillor’s husband) will shortly be cutting back the dead flowers, which finished and dropped their seeds early due to the hot, dry spell. Following professional advice, the...
Access During Road Works
28th July 2022
The parish council has approached Streetworks and Bellway Homes to ask about through traffic access during the current road works. The response we have received from BH is :'The official answer is it is closed, and no traffic is supposed to be using it, Walkers are trying to be nice and...
Downswood Diggers Update
26th July 2022
Congratulations and thanks go to the Downswood Diggers who completely transformed the footpath between the Orchard Spot roundabout and the SSSI. Impassable, vegetation has been cleared - the route is now passable. It was slightly disappointing that more residents could not accept the...
Road Closures - Downswood & Otham (Update)
15th June 2022
The location of the closure for Deringwood Drive is at the junction with Church Road. This means that vehicles will not be able to exit out of Church Road onto Deringwood Drive, the works will be either side of the junction between Chiltern Close and Grampian Way. There will also be utility...
Church Road, Temporary Closure
13th June 2022
...
Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Stone - Photos
31st May 2022
The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Stone was unveiled on Thursday, 2 June. Pictures can be found under the Parish Council tab. This commemoration stone and plinth have kindly been donated free of charge by Councillor Gordon Newton. ...
Garden Competition 2022 - Winners!
27th May 2022
We are pleased to announce the winners of this year's Garden Competition which was judged by Dale Evans, General Manager of Coolings Potted Garden Centre, Bearsted. Best overall front garden: 20 Church Road Best use of small space: 17 Grampian Way Best pots/baskets: 11 The...
W.Horse Lane Closure/Bicknor Wd Parking Restrictions
20th May 2022
Lots of work detailed on the attachments for the neighbouring parish of Otham. This includes the White Horse Lane Closure (access will for pedestrians and cyclists only). Vehicles will have to go via Gore Court Road/Pentecost Lane. Representations supporting or objecting to the...
Notes - Bellway Homes Meeting 10.05.22
16th May 2022
The notes from the latest meeting with Bellway Homes can be found below: Notes from Bellway meeting March 10.05.22.pdf ...
Archaeological Report - Church Road
25th April 2022
The findings of the archaeological survey for Church Road can be found below: 04.22 Archaeological Excavation, Church Rd, Othampdf.pdf ...
Notes of Meeting - Bellway Homes 23.03.22
25th March 2022
Notes from Bellway Homes meeting 23.03.22.pdf ...
Wildflower Planting/Bee Corridor
10th March 2022
WILDFLOWER TURF/BEE CORRIDORS With assistance from Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and their team of volunteers, Downswood Parish Council has arranged for 40 square metres of native enriched wildflower turf to be laid at 2 locations on Deringwood Drive: adjacent to Reinden Grove and...
Quarterly Meeting with Bellway Homes
7th February 2022
Representatives from DPC, OPC and CAARA attended a second communication meeting with Bellway Homes to discuss updates for the new development, Parsonage Place. The notes from the meeting can be found below. MEETING HELD ON 26.01.2022 RE PARSONAGE PLACE.pdf ...
Walks in Kent
31st January 2022
Time to get walking again! At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks? There are many beautiful footpaths around and some of these are in the neighbouring...
E-Scooters
3rd January 2022
e-scooters – know the law The following information was provided by Kent Police. Although e-scooters can be great fun, it’s against the law to ride one on a public road, cycle lane or pavement. What you need to know e-scooters are classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), which...
Tree/Pond Warden Required
6th December 2021
This is a voluntary position – although a small honorarium may be offered – with training and support available. Further information can be found at: https://kenttreeandpondpartnership.wordpress.com There are well over 140 Tree Wardens, and just under 100 Pond Wardens, currently in Kent....
Keeping the parish clean and tidy
14th May 2021
Litter reduction continues in the parish. New volunteers assist DPC’s own litter picker and the regular team of volunteers as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Thank you and well done to everyone in keeping the parish clean and tidy. ...
Dog Waste
14th May 2021
Please remove your dog waste by collecting in a bag and disposing of it in the appropriate bin. You must pick up after your dog. If you don’t you may get a fine or even be prosecuted. ...
.jpg)
