Will people still be able to access and use the green space as they do now?
Yes. We want to give as much reassurance as possible that the current open and accessible nature of the playing fields will broadly remain the same.
We recognise that the site is used in many different ways. As well as organised sport, local people use the fields for walking, exercising dogs, spending time outdoors, crossing the site and simply enjoying the open green space.
Our proposals are not about taking this space away from the community or turning it into a facility that can only be accessed by organised sports clubs.
Our intention is to improve the quality and condition of the playing fields while maintaining the ability for local people to continue accessing and enjoying the wider green space in broadly the same way they do now.
There may be some limited changes to particular areas of the site where these are needed to protect improved playing surfaces, support safe use or manage particular facilities. However, these would be carefully designed to minimise any impact on how local people currently access and enjoy the space.
The starting point for our plans is simple, this is a community green space now, and we want it to remain a community green space in the future.
What about dog walkers and people who use the fields for informal recreation?
We know that organised sport is only one of the ways in which the playing fields are used.
Many local residents use the area every day to walk their dogs, take exercise, walk through the site or simply enjoy being outdoors.
We want to reassure people that our intention is for these existing uses to continue.
Improving the pitches should not mean that dog walkers, walkers, families and other informal users lose access to a space they currently value.
As the detailed plans develop, we will carefully consider how people currently move around and use the site. Our aim will be to ensure that the existing level and pattern of access remains broadly the same, while recognising that there may need to be some sensible management of particular areas during organised activities or to protect improved playing surfaces.
We want the future site to work for both organised sport and the wider community.
What about parking and traffic?
We understand that local residents are concerned that increased use of the playing fields could lead to additional parking on surrounding streets.
Our intention is to manage this in a way that does not create unnecessary problems for neighbouring residents or fundamentally change the character of the area.
For organised activities, we would look to make use of the nearby school car park, where appropriate and subject to agreement with the relevant parties.
We are also interested in exploring whether there may be an opportunity to provide some on-site parking within the wider playing fields area.
No decisions have been made at this stage. Any on-site parking proposal would need to be carefully considered to ensure that it did not have an unreasonable impact on the green space, wildlife, trees or the way local people currently access and enjoy the site.
Our priority will be to support increased and positive use of the playing fields while preserving the open and accessible nature of the wider green space.
What about the mature trees, tree canopy and wildlife around the site?
We know that the mature trees, tree canopy and wildlife around the playing fields are an important part of the character of the area.
We want to reassure residents that our intention is not to alter the natural environment surrounding the site.
Before any work takes place, we will be required to commission appropriate independent environmental and ecological assessment. This will help us understand the site properly and identify any important wildlife, habitats, trees or other environmental considerations that need to shape our plans.
Our starting point will be to retain and protect the existing mature trees and tree canopy wherever possible and avoid unnecessary disturbance to wildlife and habitats.
Any proposals will be informed by professional ecological advice and the findings of the environmental assessment.
Just as we want the current pattern of community access to remain broadly the same, we also want to protect the natural character of the site that local residents value.
Our ambition is to improve the playing fields without losing the things that already make this green space important to the community.
More Communication
We recognise that some concerns have been raised on this and we will reflect on them moving forward. Good and effective communication is key to the success in helping us achieve our goals and we will continue to build on the work we have done to date.
We will continue to use social media and our website in particular, to promote our engagement.
As we move forward with our proposals, we will also letter/leaflet drop those properties within close proximity of the site updating on developments and where appropriate inviting to further drop in events.