St Mark’s for Sale? Community Campaign to Protect Historic Open Space

The Green Weald Alliance (GWA) has launched a community campaign to purchase and protect the land at St Mark’s Recreation Ground in Tunbridge Wells — a valued public space now under threat from development.

For nearly a century, St Mark’s has been home to Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club, Borderers Cricket, and has served as a designated air ambulance landing site. Located on the edge of the High Weald National Landscape, it plays a vital role in supporting local health, biodiversity, and access to green space.

The site is now at risk. Developers propose using the land as part of a larger scheme to build housing across protected countryside, despite more than 3,500 objections, environmental concerns, and widespread community opposition. Plans include the installation of a 3G artificial pitch, which carries known risks of microplastic pollution and high maintenance costs.

The land has recently been designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) under the Localism Act. This legal designation allows communities to delay a sale and submit a bid to buy the site for continued public benefit.

“Our local councillors declined to support the ACV application, but residents stepped up,” said Daniel Dzenkowski of the Green Weald Alliance. “The council’s own report notes that Sport England is likely to oppose development. There is planning permission in place to enhance the site for sport — not to sell it off or repurpose it for biodiversity offsetting.”

Many members of the rugby club have voiced concerns about the proposed relocation, highlighting poor drainage, high infrastructure costs, and long-term financial risks that could threaten the club’s viability.

GWA is preparing to launch a public fundraising campaign and is inviting local residents, sports fans, and new arrivals in the area like Johnny Depp to contribute to the effort.  “Johnny — if you’re listening — we need your help,”

St Mark’s Recreation Ground is not just a playing field. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the land was part of a horse racing track attended by figures such as Princess Victoria and promoted by Beau Nash. The racecourse closed in 1851 following complaints about disorderly conduct. Since then, the site — originally part of Moat Farm — has been used for public recreation, school sports, and emergency services.

The land also has hydrological significance. It sits atop a sandstone ridge with a medium productivity aquifer that once provided a clean and reliable water source for the town. Local engineers in the 20th century referred to it as a “valuable source of reliable upland flow.” Today, residents face hosepipe bans due to decades of underinvestment by water companies — not due to any failure of the spring itself.

The proposed relocation of the rugby club involves moving to a greenfield site in the High Weald, adjacent to ancient woodland. The site lacks planning permission, has poor transport access, and offers no guarantee of long-term sustainability. Biodiversity “uplift” claims rely on offsetting and habitat destruction, not on genuine environmental enhancement.

According to the ACV decision notice issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council:

“The current use of the lands furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the local community. It is realistic to think there can continue to be non-ancillary use of the lands which will further the social wellbeing.”

Even Wealden District Council supported the listing of adjoining land. However, the ward councillors for Tunbridge Wells did not speak in support.  Why?  Ask them

If the land at St Mark’s is not sold, the developer’s wider scheme cannot proceed. Without the sale, there is no relocation. Without relocation, there is no housing development. In that sense, the community has a unique opportunity to intervene and safeguard both the land and the future of local sport.

This is a decisive moment for Tunbridge Wells — and a chance to protect a historic and strategic community asset for generations to come.