Parish Services and Fees and Charges

Allotments (what 3 words: persuing.meanwhile.assorted)

The Council has 8 allotments off Liddicoat Rd, on the David Wilson housing area off Marden Rd.

We have a waiting list for parishioners, if you are interested in joining the waiting list please contact admin email address

Bell Lane Public Toilets (what 3 words: amphibian.unusually.artichoke)

In 2010 the Parish Council took over the public toilets adjacent to the car park in Bell Lane from Maidstone Borough Council who had planned to close them. Since then, the toilets have been extensively refurbished. Vandalism is rare as they are opened in the early morning and locked in the early evening, daily (except 25th December and 1 January). Please report any problems with these toilets to the Parish Office.

Benches

Memorial seat wooden in memory of Bert Seth. Outside Crown Cottages, High Street. Memorial seat wooden x 1 in memory of Sgt Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald Close off Bell Lane. Memorial seat wooden x 3 in memory of Sandy Briffa, John Briffa and the WI centenary beside the High Street Bus Stop near Chestnut Avenue. Memorial seat wooden x 1 In memory of Peter & Sheila Day beside bus stop at Cornforth Close, High Street Memorial seat wooden x 1 In memory of Allan Rimmer, Roger Nicholls & Trevor Martin next to High Street Bus Stop near Chestnut Avenue. Benches wooden x 2 Youth Club Garden - High Street Benches recycled plastic x 3 Wimpey Field Seats x 8 Metal (4 Green & 4 Red) Surrenden Playing Field.

Bus Shelters

The Parish Council has provided shelters at four of the bus stops in the village (the green painted ones). Over the last few years, the shelters have been upgraded with side panels where there is room to do this without obstructing the footway.

Caretaker

The Parish Council employs a caretaker who inspects selected locations around the village. He clears litter from them, undertakes repairs and reports any items that require more major attention. He  inspections the playground and outdoor gym weekly  The caretaker's main areas of activity are the Surrenden Playing Field, Nicholson Walk, Jubilee Sports Field (including the Skate Park) Allotment, Youth Club and Bell Lane. However, the caretaker also responds to requirements throughout the village.

CCTV

The Parish Council has 7 CCTV cameras. There are 4 static cameras situated at Surrenden Playing Field and 3 mobile cameras, which are currently placed at The Parade, Jubilee Field, and Market Street. Kent Police have stated 'parish CCTV cameras have been used to great effect in detection and prevention of crime'

Defribrillators

The Parish Council own 2 defibrillators 1 on the wall outside the library and 1 in the telephone box at Church Green.

Jubilee Fields (what 3 words – general.assess.tags)

The Jubilee Sports Field is in Headcorn Road, Staplehurst TN12 0DQ. In addition to grass playing areas, facilities include modern football changing rooms, opened in 2009 with support from the Football Foundation, a skate park and the Kathy Lamb Guide Centre. The car park is available when organised events are taking place and is locked at other times, but a small car park is available for the casual use. If interested in hiring the sports pitches please contact : admin email address

Notice Boards

The Parish Council provides notice boards at the 2 bus stops in the High Street near Cornforth Close and Chestnut Avenue, 1 outside Vine House, 1 near the A229/Pinnock Lane junction and 1 at The Parade. The boards are for local organisations and the Parish Council to advertise their events and give information. The Parish Council also has two locked noticeboards, 1 adjacent to Sainsbury’s and 1 at the Village Centre on the High Street for the display of meeting agendas and notices.

Planters

The Parish Council has installed concrete planters at Cranbrook Road, Bell Lane (2), High Street (2) and Marden Road. These are planted with seasonal flowers. Replanting and watering are carried out under contract by Growing Concern, a charitable organisation based in Maidstone Road, Staplehurst, which supports people with learning disabilities. The Parish Council also own various wooden planters throughout the village the Greener Group maintains these.

Staplehurst Summer Play Scheme

The Staplehurst summer play scheme takes place at Staplehurst School over three weeks. It is delivered by Play Place and registered with Ofsted who carry out regular inspections of the scheme. You can read the published Ofsted report on the Ofsted website: Play Place Report 2024

Salt & Grit Bins

Yellow salt bins have been installed and filled by the Parish Council at the following locations: Bathurst Close, Bell Lane, Benden Close, Bower Walk, Church Green, Greenhill, Newlyn Drive, Oliver Road, Pinnock Lane and South Bank. The salt is provided for residents to use on pavements and public footpaths at their own discretion. Please advise the Parish Office if a bin needs refilling. These bins supplement those already installed and maintained by Kent Highways at The Parade (2), Lodge Road, Jaggard Way and McCabe Close.

Skate Park – at Jubilee Field

At Jubilee Field, the Skate Park is a well-used by young people. Each summer we organise a Skate Jam which offers hints and tips and completion

Streetlights

The Parish Council owns and maintains the following streetlights: Chapel Lane - 2 Maidstone Road (bracket lamps on poles) - 6 Nicholson Walk/Surrenden Playing Field – 5. Other lights are the responsibility of Kent County Council.

Surrenden Field (also known as the King George VI Playing Field) (What 3 words buckling.handrail.treaty)

Is a public open space situated near the centre of Staplehurst. It is leased by Staplehurst Parish Council from Maidstone Borough Council for purposes of public recreation. There is access from Surrenden Road and Bathurst Road, and also by a footpath (Nicholson Walk) from the High Street. Please note that Surrenden Field has no off-street car parking. In addition to informal recreation, the field is used for village events, such as the Annual Fete. Other facilities include: An enclosed play area for children up to 12 years on the east side – this has wet pour safety surfacing and a range of apparatus, suited to smaller children, and is regularly inspected for safety by Maidstone Borough Council and RoSPA.

An area of tarmac on the southern side with a teenage ‘meeting point’ incorporating seats, a basketball hoop and a football goal

In 2023 the Parish Council installed an outdoor gym consisting of 7 pieces of equipment with a rubber mulch floor.

Youth Club (what three words: exactly.hound.juggle)

The Youth Club is just off the A229 adjacent to the Community Centre. It is available for community use. If you are interested in hiring it please contact admin email address

Wimpey Field (what 3 words glove.riskiest.fingertip)

A nature reserve at Wimpey Field has been created next to the new housing development and a comprehensive 10-year management plan has been agreed with Medway Valley Countryside Partnership, the ten-year management plan can be found here: Plan

The Parish Council work in partnership with Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and welcome volunteers for various pieces of work during the year. Please contact: admin email address