PLANS for an £8m activity park by the A2 have been criticised by a borough council and residents.

In May, Kent County Council (KCC) submitted designs to its own planning department for the 46-hectare park on land, part of which is green belt, between the new and old A2 in Gravesend.

It will include a cycle track, skateboarding facilities, a play area, a pavilion with training facilities, and will be able to host triathlons and horseriding events.

Since May, residents and local authorities have been giving their feedback to KCC, and Gravesham Council’s planning officers have produced a report which lists 13 concerns with the proposals.

The report says the council “raises no objection to the principle” of the activity park, but criticises “the lack of a clear justification for the location and scale of the development” at the site.

Other concerns raised by the report include fears noise and traffic generated will by the park will cause a disturbance to people living nearby.

A petition signed by 19 residents of Kemsley Close, Northfleet, sent to KCC objects to the park because of fears people using it will disturb them with anti-social behaviour.

Wrotham Road residents sent KCC a petition with 76 signatures, objecting to plans for vehicles to access parking for the park via her street because it will cause traffic congestion and noise and air pollution .

KCC’s project manager for the A2 Activity Park Laurence Tricker said: “The community consultation process, which involved more than 2,000 people, showed that around 80 per cent of people were in favour of the plans.”

He also pointed out that the plans include planting five hectares of woodland, which will improve air quality in the area.

More than 50 people have written to KCC to praise the plans for the activity park.

Reasons for support listed include a “demand for safe cycling facilities for youngsters” and the park will “provide a sound reducing buffer” to noise from traffic on the A2..

Gravesham Council’s report is expected to be discussed by KCC’s planning committee on August 18.