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.
Defibrillator Training
28th April 2025
Just a couple of places left for tomorrow's defibrillator training. Please get in touch ASAP if you would like to take part. ...
Flower Power
17th April 2025
With the recent thinning of the tree canopy at Spot Lane Nature Reserve, sunlight now pours through to the woodland floor, breathing new life into the undergrowth. Dormant native wildflowers—long suppressed by the dense shade—are beginning to re-emerge, adding vibrant splashes of colour and...
Election of a County Councillor
16th April 2025
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Spot Light on the The Facts
15th April 2025
It is regrettable that misinformation continues to circulate on social media regarding the recent tree works at Spot Lane Nature Reserve. Misplaced blame has once again been directed toward Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) contractors and Downswood Parish Council (DPC). This is categorically...
Good News
14th April 2025
Following a meeting last week with Kent Police and the Community Safety Team, it was discussed that youths with catapults are a county-wide issue and not just an isolated problem for Downswood. Kent Police will begin foot patrols in Downswood and will be visiting Mallards more frequently....
Annual Parish Meeting - Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 7.30 pm
14th April 2025
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Parish Councillor Election - 8 May 2025
9th April 2025
The following two candidates are standing for election as a Parish Councillor on 8 May 2025. The cost of the election will be financed by the Parish. ...
Defibrillator Training
3rd April 2025
Building on the success of our previous training session, we are excited to announce another defibrillator training program. Please get in touch if you would like to participate. ...
Consultation for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
31st March 2025
Dear Sir/Madam, We’re inviting residents, landlords, and relevant stakeholders to take part in the consultation for our Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). It will run from 31 March to 27 April, and we welcome your ...
Notice of KCC Election 01.05.25
26th March 2025
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Sign up to the Kent & Essex CCTV registry to keep your community safe
17th March 2025
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Check your smoke alarms are in date
17th March 2025
Check your smoke alarms are in date! Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is urging people to check the expiry date on their smoke alarms, as they only have a lifespan of up to ten years. Between 2022-2024, approximately 6,600 expired smoke alarms were discovered at properties in Kent and...
A Step in the Right Direction
13th March 2025
With the permission of KCC Public Rights of Way Team, the DPC Open Spaces Team have repaired the missing step at the SSSI site making it much safer. The pictures below are the before and after. ...
Tea and Cake Anyone?
7th March 2025
Every Friday morning between 10am and 12pm Otham Church holds a Tea and Coffee Morning with some delicious cake as well. It is a great community get together and the proceeds help to maintain the church. Why not pop in and say hello. ...
KCC Letter in Response to Recent Road Closures
5th March 2025
Sharing a letter received by Otham Parish Council regarding the recent road closures. ...
Blooming Great Idea
5th March 2025
We are pleased to announce that Downswood Parish Council has now launched its annual Garden Competition. The theme is different this year and there will only be two categories - 1) Best colourful garden 2) Best garden for wildlife. The judging will take place at the beginning of September...
Crimestoppers
3rd March 2025
Did you know that you can report many things to Crimestoppers and when you do, your details remain completely anonymous. Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers ...
DPC Meeting
2nd March 2025
The next DPC meeting is this coming Tuesday (04/03/2025) starting at 8pm in the Community Centre. All residents are warmly welcome. The below link is the agenda for the meeting. DOWNSWOOD PARISH COUNCIL ...
Sweeping Changes
2nd March 2025
The Open Spaces Team have been out again in force around Downswood. Downswood Parish Council Caring for our Community ...
Downswood Precept for 2025/26
25th February 2025
Downswood Precept for 2025/26 In response to recent enquiries from residents, the parish council can confirm that the precept for the fiscal year 2025/26 has now been agreed by Maidstone Borough Council and will be set at £45,000. This decision reflects our commitment to maintaining and...
A Big Day Out for Spot Lane Nature Reserve
25th February 2025
We are really pleased to announce that Downswood Parish Council is taking part in the Big Day Out on Saturday the 14th of June 2025. Please click on the link to find out more about the Big Day Out Maidstone's Big Day Out We will be giving 2 guided tours, one at 10.30am and one at 1.30pm...
A New Chapter for Downswood: Anne Fincham Joins the Parish Council
24th February 2025
In a pivotal moment for local governance, Maidstone Borough Council has officially confirmed the conclusion of the nomination period for the forthcoming by-election. Consequently the democratic process has yielded a significant appointment. It is with great enthusiasm that Downswood...
Notification Regarding By-Elections and Financial Implications
17th February 2025
Maidstone Borough Council's Returning Officer is statutorily responsible for the administration and delivery of elections, including by-elections, across all parishes within the Maidstone borough. In accordance with Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Returning Officer is...
Standing up for Nature
14th February 2025
Last week, an assessment of Downswood took place by the RSPB to advise members of the Parish Council on what needs to be done and in the right way to support nature, especially insects, pollinators, birds and other animals. We now have some good ideas to take forward this year and we will...
Spot Lane Nature Reserve - Get Involved
13th February 2025
Last year we brought to you the excellent news that Maidstone Borough Council had agreed to run a 5 year project on improving the Spot Lane Nature Reserve. We are pleased to announce a partnership approach with Bearsted Parish Council for this project as half the area is on their land. We have...
Defibrillator Locations
13th February 2025
Locations Want to know the location of defibrillators, please click on the following link Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you. This was a suggestion by a local resident and a good one at that! ...
Shock Delivered
13th February 2025
On Wednesday the 12th of Feb, 9 people attended free CPR and AED training. By the end of the training session, everyone commented on how they were now confident should they need to perform CPR or use an AED. Further free to attend training sessions will be planned for this year. ...
Notice of Election - Downswood Parish By Election - Thursday 20 March 2025
13th February 2025
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Otham Conservation Area Consultation
28th January 2025
Otham Conservation Area Consultation IMPORTANT UPDATE: Please note: The date of the public exhibition has changed. It will now be held on Wednesday, 19 February between 4pm to 6pm in Otham Village Hall, Otham Street, M15 8RN. Officers will be available to discuss the draft plan...
Free Defibrillator Training
24th January 2025
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KCCs Road Safety & Active Travel Group Newsletter
8th January 2025
We hope that you find the following newsletter interesting. KCCs Road Safety & Active Travel Newsletter ...
Bell Ringers Required!
6th January 2025
A message from Rev David Bond. Ringers love to ring bells as much as you like to hear them. Many towers however will fall silent within the next 5 years unless we can recruit and train new young and adult ringers to replace older ringers whose numbers will naturally decline. St. Nicholas has a...
Parish Litter Picking Vacancy
19th December 2024
The deadline for applications has now been reached. If you have submitted an application, you will be notified following the Parish Council meeting of 22 January '25. Part-Time Vacancy for a Litter Picker If you are interested in becoming the next Parish Litter Picker,...
Parish Councillor Vacancies
19th December 2024
Parish Councillor Vacancy Downswood Parish Council currently has a Councillor vacancy to be filled by the stipulated process of co-option. The vacancy will be an agenda item for the meeting on Wednesday, 22 January 2025. If you would like more information, please contact Teresa, the Parish...
A MESSAGE FROM MATTHEW SCOTT, THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR KENT.
19th December 2024
As Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my responsibility to ensure that Kent Police has sufficient resources to prevent and investigate crime, to support victims and to protect our communities, be they urban, rural or coastal. Thanks to your support, we now have more officers in Kent than...
Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme
17th December 2024
Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme Could you or someone you know be eligible to receive a £200 voucher which can be redeemed towards food, energy, or both? The Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme supports Kent pensioners in need of help with significantly rising living costs. The scheme is...
HOKH Christmas Tree Recycling Appeal
10th December 2024
Start 2025 in the most tree-mendous way by recycling your Christmas Tree with Heart of Kent Hospice Last year Heart of Kent Hospice recycled more than 600 Christmas trees and raised over £9,000 for the Hospice. This is the third...
DPC Christmas Event
10th December 2024
A jolly and heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this Christmas event such a sparkling success! The holiday spirit was alive and well as families gathered to celebrate, and it was pure magic to see the children’s faces light up—whether holding their balloon creations or proudly...
Christmas Family Fun Event
7th December 2024
Free to attend - Family Festive Fun. This is a free family festive fun event for the residents of Downswood. If you would like your face painted, it is free, if you would like balloons twisted into the shape of a dog, a hat, a sword etc, it is free. There will be mince pies and mulled wine and of...
Your Ideas Needed for the 2025/26 Budget
15th November 2024
Your Ideas Needed for the 2025/26 Budget As we start planning the Parish Council’s budget for 2025/26, we want to hear from YOU! Your input is invaluable in helping us to allocate resources to the areas that matter most to our community. Whether it’s new playground equipment (this will...
Deringwood Drive/Willington St Traffic Lights Update
19th August 2024
The PC has been in contact with KC Highways to address questions that we have been asked to clarify following the installation of the above. The detailed response from Highways is below: Thank you for the further email regarding the traffic signals at Willington Street / Deringwood...
Garden Competition Results 2024
2nd August 2024
Downswood Parish Council Garden Competition Results We are pleased to announce that judges from Notcutts Garden Centre, Bearsted selected three gardens and the residents have been informed. In addition to the £50 awarded to the first place by Downswood Parish Council, Notcutts very...
Update re Mallards Way, Mote Park and Whatman Park
1st August 2024
Following on from the information email below, we now have some dates for the works at each site to start. The dates are weather permitting, as heavy rain and higher water levels could delay works, but at the moment the forecast is looking dry. 9th - 20th September - Whatman Park ...
Mote Park Community Event: Fri 2 August
29th July 2024
Mote Park...
Community Safety Survey - Closes 25.08.24
28th June 2024
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Garden Competition 2024
12th June 2024
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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...
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. ...
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