Stop Kingston Council from Sale of Land at 14 Friendship Square -potential closure of Scouts Group

Impact on 7th Cheltenham Scouts Group:
The land in question is integral to the operations of the Scouts group. It is currently used for:

• Access to Essential Facilities: The land provides access to the shed where camping equipment and the Scouts' trailer are stored. Without this access, the Scouts group would face severe logistical challenges in running its programs effectively leading to potential closure of the scouts group
• Outdoor Activities: The land is an important space for various Scouts programs, including outdoor education, campfire activities, and other community-building exercises. Losing this space would directly impact the Scouts’ ability to deliver enriching and educational experiences for the youth members of our community.

Impact on Adjacent School and Kindergarten:
The land is also heavily relied upon by the local school and kindergarten for off-street car parking during busy drop-off and pick-up times. In an area that is already congested, the sale of this land would exacerbate traffic issues, create safety concerns for children, and increased stress for parents and caregivers.

Impact on the Community:
The proposed sale is highly likely to lead to increased housing density in an area that is already under strain. Additional residential development would result in further congestion, reduced parking availability, and diminished green space for the community
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Our Request:
We strongly urge Kingston Council to reconsider the proposed sale of this land. Its current use has far-reaching benefits for the Scouts group, the school, the kindergarten, and the community at large. Selling this land would create significant disruptions and negatively affect the quality of life for local residents and in particular for the youth members of the community.

We request that the Council explore alternative solutions that would allow this land to remain accessible to the Scouts group and the local institutions that rely on it. Protecting community spaces is crucial for fostering strong, connected, and thriving neighbourhoods.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and hope the Council takes the concerns of its constituents into serious consideration.