REC(22)05.01
Playing Field Report
Hedge work
The Tree Crew and the footpath advocate have continued carrying out some coppicing at Coppice Close and then using the hazel to create hedging to fill the gaps along the hedge along Melton Road. The Council has received numerous compliments about the fencing and how attractive it looks.
Pavilion
The building has now been demolished and temporary orange fencing will be in place around the slab to warn people of any potential hazard. Signage has been placed on the fencing and it will be monitored. Should the netting incur repeated vandalism then Heras fencing may be purchased. A poster explaining how residents can monitor the progress/find out the latest news with a link to the website will be put up.
Chippings
We continue to receive a steady supply of oak chippings from the Longship project. These have been used on the pathways at Hall Farm Road Sports Ground and on the path near the protected oak tree. The oak chippings are working well to keep the path passable so the action to install board walks may not be required.
Pedestrian Gate
I met with the landowner of the entrance to Hutchison’s Meadow regarding the feasibility of creating a new pedestrian entrance into the playing field which would be closer to the new proposed island crossing. Unfortunately, he was not supportive of the proposal and would not grant access. However, since Highways have resurfaced the footpath adjacent to the Playing Field along Melton Road, the footpath is now wider and easier to navigate with a wheelchair/pushchair etc so a new entrance is probably no longer required.
Barrier/Path beside Tennis Courts
The path running beside the tennis court is closed off by a barrier as there are plans to widen the footpath to create a service road to the new Pavilion. There have been a number of comments from users that accessing the path via the gap results in a muddy route (this has been covered with chippings to make it less muddy) and if a car parks in the disabled space it can impede entrance to the path route by those with mobility issues/pushchairs etc. A temporary suggestion is to open the gate and place a heavy duty bollard in the middle of the entrance to prevent cars driving onto the playing field.
Tennis Courts
An indicative quote was sought for resurfacing the tennis courts as it is felt the surface could do with being replaced in the next couple of years and that the current surface is quite slippy. The quote received was for about £18k which could be funded by CIL or the PlayPot. There was an additional option of adding Acrylic Sports Coating to provide a slip resistant and UV Stable colour coated surface (£2,875).
Members are asked to:
- Note and comment on this report
- Decide if they wish to remove the action for installing a boardwalk in the woods
- Decide if they wish to open the gate and install a bollard.
- Decide if they wish to pursue with resurfacing the tennis courts
Pip Alder
Asst Clerk and Management Officer
January 2022
