Borough Press Release 24/10/2006
More than 50,000 of contributions from developers will be used to create a brand new park in Windsor.
The Royal Borough is launching a consultation this week to get local residents' views on proposals to turn the old Trevelyan School playing fields into a much-needed park and recreation area including:
two grass football pitches for primary or junior teams
a children's play area similar to the highly-successful one opened in the summer at Punt Hill, Maidenhead
a small log cabin-style pavilion with two toilets and storage facilities
a multi-use play area with fencing to keep balls in and dogs out
a 45-space car park which will allow the park to be used by visiting teams.
Residents will be asked about the kind and colour of equipment they would like to see installed in the children's play area, sports they think should be catered for in the multi-use play area and what additional features they would be keen to have in the future should further funding become available. They will also be asked if they agree that the new facility should be called Imperial Park.
The proposals follow the council's playing fields strategy consultation in 2002 when it became clear that this would be an ideal site for a young people's sports and play park. Since then Section 106 contributions from developers in the area have been saved and now there is enough money to forge ahead with the park.
Cllr Mary Rose Gliksten, council leader and Clewer East ward member, said the consultation marked a major step forward in the council's plans to open the old Trevelyan playing fields to public use.
She added: "This is a tremendous opportunity to provide a high quality and accessible sports and play area for children and young people in our community. Since Trevelyan school moved to its new site we have been looking at ways of making the very best use of the playing fields. These proposals offer a very positive way forward but we need to have the views of local people before making any final decisions."
Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for leisure and cultural services, said: "The proposals for Imperial Road are part of the council's programme of improvements to our parks and open spaces and, thanks to careful use of developers' contributions, they are at no cost to council taxpayers. This is excellent news and I hope everyone will take part in the consultation so that the new park will cater for the real needs of young people in this area."
Questionnaires will be hand delivered to local homes at the end of this week and the closing date for responses is Friday November 17. Depending on the outcome of the consultation, a planning application will need to be submitted for the car park and pavilion. It is hoped that work will start next year.
