Community facilities are incredibly important, and that is why I have recently been in touch with the Football Association, who through their charity The Football Foundation, will fund around 77% of the cost of a new football pitch at Orchards Academy.
On my visit to the school last week, I saw with Head Andy Lazenby, how needed a new pitch is and I will do all I can to support the school in finding the remaining funding - including writing to the Department for Education and Kent County Council and exploring how we can tap into funding streams such as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
The pupils and community of Swanley and the surrounding areas deserve no less.
