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.
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 ...
Plant & Cake Sale 20 May
15th May 2023
Plant and Cake Sale 10 am to noon the Guide Hut, Church Landway, Bearsted on 20 May ...
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...
Maidstone Borough Design & Sustainability Development Plan Document Regulation 18 Consultation
2nd May 2023
Maidstone Borough Council has committed to delivering a Design and Sustainability Development Plan Document (DPD) to site alongside its Local Plan and forthcoming Local Plan Review. The Design and Sustainability DPD – Preferred Approaches (Regulation 18) document has been prepared for public...
Vegetation Clearance - Area surrounding Parsonage Place
20th April 2023
Information from Bellway Homes. It will be necessary to clear some shrubs and trees/bushes next Thursday, 27 April in the area surrounding Parsonage Place. This is to allow the ramp to be built in Foxden Drive Park, the Public Rights of Way to be completed and for the new path from Woolley...
Front Garden Competition
18th April 2023
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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...
Telecoms Apparatus Proposal
17th March 2023
A pre- application consultation has been received by the Parish Council today for telecommunications apparatus. The proposal is for a 15m tower and three cabinets to be sited on Deringwood Drive, adjacent to The Spires shops. A formal planning application will be submitted to the...
Local Government Elections 2023
10th March 2023
The following timetable provides the dates for the forthcoming parish elections. Local Gvmt Election Timetable Further information is available from the link below: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/parish-and-community-council-elections-england ...
Temp Road Closure - Gore Court Rd, Otham
8th March 2023
Temporary Road Closure - Gore Court Road, Maidstone - 26th April 2023 (Maidstone District) It will be necessary to close part of Gore Court Road, Maidstone from 26th April 2023, with estimated completion by 28th April 2023. Gore Court Road, Maidstone will be closed between the junctions of...
Annual Parish Meeting 04.04.23
3rd March 2023
The Downswood Annual Parish meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 April at 7.45 pm in the Lounge of the Community Centre. This meeting is open to all residents and parish representatives. The agenda is below: Annual Parish Meeting 2023 ...
Willington Street Closure Postponed
1st March 2023
Update regarding proposed evening closure of Willington Street from 6 March 2023. Official confirmation received from KCC Streetworks this afternoon as follows: 'The original plans are not going forward, and Willington Street will not be closed in March. If any further amendments...
Emergency Rd Closure - Church Rd, Otham
1st March 2023
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL CHURCH ROAD, OTHAM TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 – Section 14 (2) Kent County Council gives notice that Church Road, Otham will be closed to through traffic, on or after 1st March 2023 for up to 21 days. The road will be...
KENT PCC NEWS Victim Voice Special edition
9th February 2023
The attached is a Special Edition Newsletter about a new initiative the Kent PCC has launched: Victim Voice. Victim Voice (kent-pcc.gov.uk) The Police & Crime Commissioner wants to encourage people to be aware of victims' rights. It's one of the recommendations...
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...
Update Re. Various Road Closures
23rd January 2023
Phase 5 Update - Temporary Road Closure - Various Roads, Otham and Downswood - 27th June 2022 (Maidstone District) Update Phase 5 Spot Lane, Otham will be closed from 6th February 2023, with estimated completion by 17th February 2023.The road will be closed from at the...
Road Closure - Honey Lane, Otham
20th January 2023
Emergency Road Closure - Honey Lane, Otham - 20th January 2023 (Maidstone) It will be necessary to close Honey Lane, Otham from 20th January 2023 for up to 5 days. The road will be closed at Stud Croft. The alternative route is via New Road, A274 Sutton Road, Gore Court Road, White Horse...
Spot Lane/A20 junction closure
19th January 2023
Confirmation has been received that the junction of Spot Lane with the A20 will be closed for 2 weeks from Monday, 6th February for junction improvement works. Spot Lane/A20 Closure ...
Church Road Closure Postponed
13th January 2023
URGENT ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE. We have been advised by Walker Construction that due to 'contract issues' the road closure that was due to take place next Monday, 16 January will NOT now go ahead. 2 weeks notice will be given as soon as a new start date has been agreed. In the meantime, the...
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...
St Nicholas - Christmas Concert 04.12.22 3 pm
23rd November 2022
Christmas Concert - St Nicholas, Sunday December 4th at 3pm The Friends of Otham Church welcomes Rainham Ladies Choir to St Nicholas Otham (ME15 8SA) for a concert of festive music. This highly regarded choir will present a varied programme for everyone to enjoy. Admission is free with...
Christmas Carols and Lights 03.12.22 4 pm
17th November 2022
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Remembrance Day 13.11.22
10th November 2022
Remembrance Day. A service will take place at St Nicholas Church at 9.30 am on Sunday 13 November This will be followed by Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Otham Village Green at 10.45 am All are warmly invited to attend ...
Garden Waste Collection 18.11.22
10th November 2022
If you subscribe to MBC's Garden Waste Collection Service, the next collection will be made on Friday, 18 November. ...
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...
Kent's Plan Bee July 2022
17th August 2022
Please find attached Kent's Bee PDF Newsletter for July 2022. In this PDF Newsletter for July you will find: Kent’s Plan Bee Pledge Results Bees Needs WeekBeeWalking – Getting involved in the bee survey projectPollinators to spot in AugustUpcoming events and awareness weeks in August ...
Friends of Otham Church - Forthcoming Events.
9th August 2022
Friends of Otham Church Sunday 2nd October at 3pm - Choral concert by Leas Court Music Sunday 4th December at 3pm - Christmas concert by Rainham Ladies Choir ...
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
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Olympicnic - Saturday 23 July
8th June 2022
Make a note in your diary that the Olympicnic will be held from 12 noon on Saturday, 23 July in Mallard's Park. Why not bring a picnic to this FREE event. Lots of fun for all the family, with a variety of races and bouncy castles. ...
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...
Spring Garden Competition!
2nd March 2022
Following requests to hold the parish Garden Competition in Spring, we are hoping to be able to prepare a shortlist of front gardens in early April, with judging carried out at the end of the month. It's time to think about sprucing up your garden! ...
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...
Christmas Carols and Lights Photos
10th December 2021
Thank you to everyone that attended this year's Carols and Lights. It was quite possibly one of the best that we've held! Maidstone Rock Choir , Cllr Gordon Newton on his melodeon, Father Christmas & his cheeky elf all helped to make it a special event. Here's a couple of photos that have...
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....
Christmas Lights Statement
30th November 2021
FESTIVE LIGHTING The Parish Council faces a number of challenges each year to bring you, the residents of Downswood, the festive lighting. In order to obtain an annual license, Kent Highways require full details of the proposal; including the size & weight of each motif and the number...
Remembrance Day - Downswood's Tribute
16th November 2021
We Shall Remember Them Photographs provided courtesy of Mr Ken Brinsley ...
Meeting with Kent Police - Violence against women and girls
11th November 2021
Yesterday, Councillors Kate Alden-Morris & Gordon Newton had the opportunity to attend a meeting with Kent Police to discuss the issue of violence against women and girls. This meeting was called in the light of various high profile cases that have reflected badly upon certain police officers;...
Olympicnic Photos
17th September 2021
See Parish Council tab for photos of this year's Olympicnic ...
Update - Church Road Development
11th June 2021
Update re Church Road Development Despite the best efforts of Otham & Downswood Parish Councils in representing residents to fight the development, we now have to accept that it will go ahead in the forthcoming months. To that end, a meeting was requested to discuss the Construction...
Anti-Social Behaviour
14th May 2021
The Parish Council continues to work closely with PCSO Kirsty Greaves in tackling the recent anti-social behaviour problems. Cllr Gordon Newton has held talks with the Police, Kent Crime Reduction, Maidstone Borough Council and Bearsted Parish Council to tackle the issues. This remains...
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. ...
Arriva No 4 Bus Timetable
6th August 2018
Bus Time Table. Arriva Service 4 has been revised and will run from Maidstone to Downswood via Ashford Road and Madginford instead of via Armstrong Road and Shepway. It will run every thirty minutes on Monday to Saturday. In Maidstone Bus Station, Service 4 buses will depart from Stop J3...
Considerate Parking
11th January 2018
With parking in Downswood at a premium, may we respectfully ask that if forced to park on the public highway, you ensure there is plenty of space for emergency vehicles to pass – particularly on some of the smaller, congested side roads. Where applicable, try to keep vehicles off the highway...
2nd December 2017
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