News

The Chief Executive of the Hawkinge Community Centre fears that if plans for a supermarket in the car park of the centre are successful, the village's flagship venue could 'effectively' be put out of business.

Ground breaking play equipment for youngsters using wheelchairs has been opened at Elms Vale Recreation Ground as part of an ongoing commitment to invest in play areas and to promote accessibility across the district.

The play park includes a roundabout that is accessible to wheelchair users and a multiplay unit with wide slide.

The slide lets two children or an dult and a child to use the slide together.

Other improvements have also been made to increase accessibility, including the creation of two disabled parking bays next to the play area. The new equipment was selected to offer opportunities for inclusive play.

The Elms Vale play area in Dover is one of DDC's nine strategic play areas.

The council is carrying out a programme of improvements and renovations to these sites and work has already been carried out at Pencester Gardens, Marke Wood and the Butts in Sandwich, together with a state-of-the-art concrete skate park which was launched in Victoria Park in Deal in October last year.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management, said: “These exciting new facilities at Elms Vale are an important part of our ongoing commitment to promote accessibility and improve strategic sites across the district.�

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, Cabinet Member for Community, Citizenship, Youth and Sport said: “We are very pleased to open these facilities, which provide a great space for all children to play. We are committed to investing in our communities and I am especially pleased that our play areas are becoming more and more accessible to all children.�