Hellingly Parish Council is looking to consult with residents over plans to radically overhaul the facilities at the Lower Horsebridge Recreation Ground.
Several improvements are proposed for the area which includes new play equipment with accessible facilities, and a new indoor hall the size of two badminton courts along the existing Pavilion.
The plans suggest it will be used for a variety of indoor training, badminton and other activities. The indoor hall could be configured with courts side by side, or as a longer narrower building, with two courts end-to-end (with netting between the two inside). This would enable the current clubs on site to use it for indoor nets and short mat bowls as well.
It’s anticipated the Sports Pavilion toilets will be improved, potentially including a ‘Changing Places’ toilet for disabled people and improving changing rooms, bar/cafe area and kitchen.
The plans would also involve moving the current grass football pitch to the north of the site. There is also space for a smaller second pitch (for under-8s). Currently, the proposals are simply pitch-marking, following the existing ground-level contours, and do not include drainage.
An area of scrubland could be replaced with a large Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) with floodlights and cage fencing. The approximate area would be the size of two netball courts with 2m run-offs, and be able to accommodate: two netball courts for matches and training; two basketball courts for matches and training; and a five-a-side football pitch for training. The likely surface to be Polymeric or Tarmacadam, which can accommodate netball, basketball and football.
There are proposals to enhance planting in that area to create a wildlife habitat, and for the health pathway to wind its way through the nature space. In time, as trees and habitat mature, it will provide a physical screen between nearby bungalows and the MUGA.
A ‘Health Pathway’ around the circumference of the whole land area for walking, cycling, jogging, scooting, buggies and mobility scooters is also planned. The pathway would be approximately 714m, and width minimum 2.5m (except in the area behind the rugby pitch where space is reduced, allowing a width of 2m). The length allows 7 laps to be 5K.
It is proposed to increase the width of the main entrance to 5m to allow two-way traffic. In addition, the entrance would need to be readily accessible for an emergency vehicle if required. The facilities would see an increase in parking bays to a total of 80 throughout the site.
The Parish Council is hoping to gather views, opinions and suggestions from local residents on the plans. The improvements are expected to be funded through a number of external funding bodies.
The survey is open until 5pm on 8th April 2024 and can be accessed by visiting www.hellingly-pc.org.uk, or an email version can be sent by request by emailing clerk@hellingly-pc.org.uk.
