MBC grant scheme delivers new playground fencing at South Street Barming

£12,594 — Total investment in South Street Play Area

£5,000 — Maidstone Borough Council (lead funder) 

£7,594 — William & Edith Oldham Trust · Kent County Playing Fields Association · Kent County Council Members Grant.

“This scheme helps parishes to maintain and improve play areas that are important to local families. Small grants can make a real difference when combined with local funding and partner support.”

 Cllr Clive English, MBC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement

MBC's proactive approach

Maidstone Borough Council's Parks and Open Spaces Team took the initiative to contact all eligible parishes, assess the condition of play facilities across the borough, and offer targeted grants. Of 33 strategically important play areas identified, 19 parishes responded and were each offered a £5,000 grant. Barming Parish Council is the first to complete works under the scheme.

Play areas are essential community infrastructure. They support children's physical health, social development, and mental wellbeing — and a well-maintained space signals civic pride and deters antisocial behaviour. South Street Play Area in Barming serves local families in exactly this way.

Good perimeter fencing is fundamental to playground safety: it keeps young children contained within the play area, prevents them from straying into roads or other hazards, and provides parents and carers with the confidence to let children play freely. The wooden perimeter fence at South Street, in place for over 20 years, had reached the end of its serviceable life. Despite being well maintained, it needed replacing. The MBC grant enabled works completed in February 2026 to install a new durable fence meeting the BS 1176 Playground Equipment Specification — the recognised British Standard for safe, fit-for-purpose play area boundaries — along with new signage.

Why this investment matters

• Physical play supports healthy development — reducing obesity risk and building strength, balance and coordination.
• Play areas are community hubs, bringing together families of all ages and reducing social isolation.
• Safe, accessible outdoor spaces support children's mental wellbeing and reduce screen time.

Critically, the MBC £5,000 grant acted as a catalyst — unlocking a further £7,594 from the William and Edith Oldham Trust, the Kent County Playing Fields Association, and Kent County Council. Without MBC's lead investment, this project would not have proceeded. 

It is a clear demonstration of how targeted council funding can leverage wider partner support to deliver real results for residents.