Purpose

Approve the release of £24,000 Section
106 capital funding, to improve drainage on the lower pitch at
Westmorland Park. This will enable full-size pitch marking and
increase playable area by approximately 250 m².

Decision

The Cabinet Member approves the use of
£24,000 of S106 open space of public value funding (finance
ref. YN600) to deliver drainage improvements and pitch marking on
the lower pitch at Westmorland Park.

Reasons for the decision

i.      
50 per cent of the lower pitch currently becomes very wet in winter
and is underused; drainage improvements will restore functionality
and increase playable capacity.
 

ii.    
Enables full-size pitch marking at Westmorland Park improving
overall local football provision.
 

iii.   
Delivers health and wellbeing benefits by increasing access to
sport and physical activity for residents, including children and
young people.
 

iv.   
Implements actions identified in the Playing Pitch Strategy to
address poor pitch quality and drainage issues at key local
authority sites.
 

v.    
Aligns with key plans and policies:

National Planning Policy Framework,
section 8. ‘Promoting healthy and safe
communities’.
Bracknell Forest Local Plan, Policy
LP 45 ‘Play, open space and sports provision’
Council Plan (as per point 2.2. of
this report)

 

Alternative options considered

i.      
Do nothing – continued cancellation of match days and
underuse of the lower pitch; does not meet strategic
objectives.
 

ii.    
Seek alternative funding – no identified external sources;
S106 funding is available and appropriate for Open Space of Public
Value improvements.
 

iii.   
There are no other suitable Brackell Forest Council managed sports
pitches that required similar improvements that are closer to the
development site at Kingswood, Kings Ride, Ascot.