WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF SITE MEETING  HELD

FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER   2020  10.00 AM

RECREATION GROUND , WOLSINGHAM

PRESENT:    Vice Chair: John Norman, Clerk H. G. Dobson

DURHAM COUNTY COLUNCIL:  Nigel Douthwaite

 

Following the recent consultation exercise carried out by Wolsingham P.C. and the successful installation of the skate park at the recreation ground the PC now feel in a position to move forward on the provision of tennis courts in the recreation ground.

Together with the questionnaire and consultation referred to above WRECASS at there  AGM held 2019 , two members of the public attended wanting  tennis courts in Wolsingham , preferably at  Wolsingham Recreation Ground

Part of the need for tennis courts at this point in time has been the loss of four courts at the former upper site of Wolsingham School & Community College.

This site is now, we understand to be the subject of a planning application to build houses. 

 

An area of land adjacent to the recently constructed skate park, and south of the bowling green, has the possibility of providing two doubles courts , with the appropriate “run off” areas ,a polymeric synthetic surface is recommended, for matches, and be able to  be suitably fenced. Will be a worthwhile family sporting activity for all age groups, and will compliment  the Weardale Leisure Park ethos.

Durham CC are currently assessing the sporting facilities available in the county and tennis could well be a suitable facility for them to invest in as , the aforementioned building application , together with the involvement of Sport England could lead to a substantial ,” commuted” sum of money being made available in mitigation of the loss of the previous four tennis courts at Wolsingham School.

Nigel Douthwaite has taken onboard the views of the PC and will canvass for these courts to be built at Wolsingham Recreation Ground.

Another of Nigel's colleagues, Wayne Brown also DCC will be contacted to help the foundation of a tennis club, with WRECASS and the two members of the public who attended the WRECASS AGM, and Parish Councillors who wish to be involved, to further this formation of a club.

A meeting of DCC full cabinet will take place sometime in January when the final Sport and Playing facilities report will be presented for consideration. At the same time it is likely that a planning application will be submitted for the building of a housing estate.

Now that the County Durham Plan has been approved, any new planning applications will have to provide sums of money or provision of facilities for the community  under the Community Infrastructure Levy ( CIL) , what was S. 106 payments.

Sport England, will be part of these discussions, and no doubt ,but not certain, will ask for any commuted  or CIL monies be provided to form new tennis courts, and if WPC have plans , estimates , a tennis club and evidence of need , then WPC will be in a prime position.

Brief discussions took place regarding the running of the facility if successful , particularly in regard to public use versus tennis club use. An online booking system could be adopted with a key code to gain access provided on line for particular time slots.

As the facility would need to be maintained and the need  to provide a sinking fund over twenty years for the rebuilding of the facility , ( Sport England” request this) then to have the facility self financing a charge for use would need to be discussed.

Hockey Pitch was mentioned in these discussions , and I will report later on this topic.