Medway Council - Plans Unveiled for New Family-friendly Sports Centre to Replace Splashes

Computer generated images of what the new centre and pool area may look like.

Photos: SPACE & PLACE.

Designs for a state-of-the-art modern, family-friendly sports centre in Medway have been unveiled for the former Splashes site in Rainham.

The proposals include two swimming pools - a training pool for lane swimming and lessons, as well as a children’s fun pool with flume, wave ball pool and beach area. For those who prefer land-based activities, there will also be a fitness gym and room for exercise classes and children’s parties.

The exciting computer-generated images (CGIs), which can be found on Medway Council’s planning application for the new sports centre, demonstrates Medway’s commitment to putting children at the heart of everything it does. The new facility is proposed to have a modern look and feel, but will be family-friendly, including having family and accessible changing rooms. The plans for the new centre support Medway’s ambition to become a child-friendly city, providing further opportunities for the area’s young people.

The proposed new sports centre will provide a full experience for customers - visit the gym, join-in a class, take a dip in the pool and afterwards relax in the café which is planned to overlook the pool areas and surrounding park.

The designs also include electric charging parking spaces, as part of Medway’s Climate Change and carbon neutral aims and ambitions.

Residents have the opportunity to formally provide feedback on the plans through Medway Council’s planning application.

The designs will also be on display in May at two public exhibitions:

• Tuesday 10th, to Saturday, 14th May, at Rainham Library

• Tuesday, 17th to Saturday, 21st May, at Twydall Library

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said:

“I am delighted to be revealing the plans for a new family-friendly sports centre in Medway. The proposed sports centre in Rainham will be a welcomed addition to Medway Council’s existing sports and leisure offer, including Medway Park in Gillingham - a centre of sporting excellence with an athletics track, Strood Sports Centre - a footballer’s dream with outdoor pitches and Hoo Sports Centre with its enjoyable exercise classes.

“Splashes was a much-loved facility by generations of families from across Medway and the plans for the proposed sports centre have children in mind, as well as facilities for adults to enjoy. I would encourage residents to make note of the public exhibitions in May so they can view the designs in person and give their feedback to help shape the plans to provide Medway’s families and residents with another popular facility on their doorstep.”

The former Splashes Sports Centre, in Bloors Lane, Rainham was demolished in February to make way for the new centre.

To find out more, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/news

Medway Council

Motorcycle Stolen - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/72593/22

Between 00:01 on Tuesday the 1st of March and 23:59 on Thursday the 31st of March, somebody stole a blue Yamaha DT 125, YN03***, from the road in Orchard Drive, Newington.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Upchurch Parish Council Report - April 2022

Report of the Parish Council April 2022

Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny (Vice Chairman), Cllr Ernie Berntsen, Cllr Helen Boakes, Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.

Beacon Lighting to Celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 

The beacon will be lit on Thursday 2^nd June and residents are invited to take part in a free draw to light the beacon on this historic occasion. The draw will take place at 9:00pm on the evening of the beacon lighting and you must be present at the draw. If you would like to be entered into the draw please Email the Clerk: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk with your name and address. Only one entry per household. Closing date 12 noon Wednesday 18th May.

There will be food and drinks stalls at the Recreation Ground during the evening and this will be a memorable event for the village. A piper will play at 9:35pm, a bugler will play a unique Bugle Call at 9:40pm and the beacon will be lit at 9:45pm.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022

On Sunday 5^th June street parties are being encouraged across the country. In Upchurch, where residents are unable to have a party in their road, they will be permitted to use the Recreation Ground, please contact the Clerk for full details: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Burial Ground and Churchyard

The fallen branch has been removed and work was carried out on a conifer damaged by the storm. The fence by the hall car park has been repaired. The Parochial Church Council has raised concern regarding the lime tree in the churchyard, the contractor will look into the situation.

It has been rumoured that there are no burial plots in the Burial Ground, residents can be reassured that there is space available in the Burial Ground following the consecration of the former rose beds. New plots cannot be pre-purchased and are for residents of the parish only.

Great British Spring Clean

The annual litter pick was successful and the Council is grateful to the School, the uniformed organisations, and all who helped make the village a better place to live in.

The Council has a supply of litter pickers and hi-vis jackets which residents can borrow to litter pick their local area, please contact the Clerk if you wish to borrow the equipment. Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch Village Sign

The refurbishment of the village sign has been completed. An image of the sign has been created and Upchurch Parish Council owns the copyright on the image of the re-painted village sign on behalf of the residents of the parish. The image is freely available to any resident who wishes to use it for the promotion of anything associated with the parish, whether for private or commercial purposes. Anyone wishing to use the image can obtain an electronic version, free of charge from the Parish Clerk, at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Planning

Ref: 21/506508/FULL Address: Upchurch Cricket Club Holywell Lane Upchurch ME9 7HP

Proposal: Installation of a new fully carpeted 3 lane 33m enclosed non-turf cricket practice facility with security fencing.

Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously to support the proposal.

Ref: 22/500974/FULL Address: 116 Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Erection of a new front boundary wall and gates to plots 1 and 2 approved under 20/505179/FULL.

Councillors considered the application and objected to the proposal.

Ref: 22/500703/FULL Address: Pear Tree House Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch ME8 8QW

Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension, two storey side extension, and alterations to external elevations, including erection of flat roof over existing porch and garage, replacement doors and windows and new roof light.

Councillors considered the application and had no objection to the proposal.

Ref: 22/500812/FULL Address: Ransom Motors Breach Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7PE

Proposal: Retrospective application for a change of use and construction of a car park and additional rear access space as well as for the erection of security fencing on land adjacent to Auto-Evolution.

Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously to support the proposal as it makes the provision of public transport in Breach Lane easier.

Ref: 22/500969/ELEC Address: Golf Course Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Alterations to the high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) overhead lines.

Application noted.

Ref: 22/500973/SUB Address: 116 Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 5 (details of the external finishing materials) in relation to planning permission 20/505179/FULL.

Councillors considered the application and agreed that the proposal would make the buildings stick out; a colour closer to the palette of the village at that point would be preferred.

Ref: 22/500993/SUB Address: Crescent House Gills Terrace Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 1 (closure report - remediation) of application 19/500420/PNOCLA.

Application noted.

Ref: 22/500994/SUB Address: Land At Gills Terrace Upchurch Kent ME8 7UY

Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to condition 13 (closure report - remediation) of application 19/502283/FULL.

Application noted.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 5^th May at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18^th May at 7:30pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall.

All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.

To help keep loved ones safe, please DO NOT attend the meeting if you have COVID-19 or have experienced symptoms. Questions and comments can be sent to the Clerk to be raised at the meeting.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

The Repainted Upchurch Village Sign

Click the montage to enlarge.

Top left: Stuart Betts with the repainted Upchurch Village Sign.

Top right: Photographing the repainted Upchurch Village Sign.

Bottom left: The new official photograph of the Upchurch Village Sign.

Copyright © 2022 Upchurch Parish Council. All rights reserved.

Photography and image editing on behalf of Upchurch Parish Council by Louis Newbery.

Bottom right: Mockup of how the repainted Upchurch Village Sign will look.

The Upchurch Village Sign

You will no doubt have noticed the iconic Upchurch Village Sign has been missing from the centre of the village for a while.

The sign was taken down earlier this year and repainted in March 2022 by traditional handwritten signwriter and artist Stuart Betts at his workshop in Gillingham using enamel paints. The last time the sign received a refresh was in January 2005.

The Parish Council previously commissioned Stuart to produce the eye catching shield which hangs from the Beacon of Light Brazier on the Recreation Ground in 2018. Stuart also refurbished the four church clock faces at St. Mary's.

Obtaining a copy of the new photograph

We are pleased to reveal the new official village sign photograph, commissioned by Upchurch Parish Council, ahead of the sign's reinstallation soon.

Upchurch Parish Council owns the copyright to this officially photographed image of the repainted Upchurch Village Sign on behalf of the residents of the parish.

The image is freely available to residents who wish to use it for the promotion of things associated with the parish, whether for private or commercial purposes.

Anyone wishing to use the image can obtain an electronic copy free of charge from the Parish Clerk at: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

We look forward to seeing our village sign back in its familiar place, on the corner for everyone to see!

Read the 'The Upchurch Village Sign by David Wood' at: https://bit.ly/3oaorfZ

Signwriter Stuart Betts: www.stuartbetts.co.uk

#WeAreUpchurch

Upchurch Matters

Poolside Bar Music - Tina Turner Tribute at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

From 8:30pm

Free Entry - Non-members Welcome

Food available until 8:30pm

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Temporary Road Closure - Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch from Tuesday 19th April 2022 for up to 4 days.

The road will be closed in the general vicinity of number 76, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, A2 - Moor Street, Oak Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required while road crossing and joint bay works are carried out by UK Power Networks.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste