Purpose

The purpose of this decision is to agree a new licence with Longstanton Bowls Club to occupy the Bowls Green within Western Park at Northstowe with Longstanton Bowls Club. The previous licence agreement was until 22 October 2026. This new licence agreement would run until 2 January 2029 which would align with the existing Sports Pavilion lease agreement.

The s106 agreement for Phase 1 allowed transfer of the Western Park open space to South Cambridgeshire District Council at nil consideration, although at a later point, on expiry of the contract between L&Q (now Urban&Civic) and its appointed Land Management company, Greenbelt in approximately seven years’ time. However, the decision taken by L&Q (now Urban&Civic) to pass construction of the Sports Pavilion and car park to SCDC meant that in order to operate the pitches and pavilion effectively, the freehold of the pitches was transferred to SCDC. Subsequently this permitted a licence arrangement to be offered to an appropriate specialist operator to manage and maintain the bowls green to the benefit of Northstowe residents and the wider community.

The licence agreement sets out the respective responsibilities of each party and the relationship between the licence holder and the external operator to be appointed by SCDC to manage and maintain the sports pavilion and pitches that form part of the wider facility.

Decision

To offer a new licence to Longstanton Bowls Club to management and maintain the bowls green within the Western Park, Northstowe.

Reasons for the decision

The licence agreement requires the bowls club to manage and maintain the bowls green at their own expense. They bring expertise, volunteer effort and a commitment to expand the sport of bowling within Northstowe and the surrounding community.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Longstanton Bowls Club or SCDC could have decided not to enter into a new licence agreement. However, both Longstanton Bowls Club and SCDC are happy with the current arrangements and Longstanton Bowls Club are managing and maintaining the bowls green effectively.