Stondon Parish Council (SPC) has long recognised the challenge of accessing a community space and management of open spaces.
SPC purchased the current Village Hall from The Rands Trust some years ago, with the view that this should be a community asset. We continue to be the owners of the hall, we insure the building, and have a strong working relationship with the Village Hall Committee (VHC). Where we need to we make repairs and minor improvements.
We have access to some funds (via CBC S106 funds) to deliver a new community building to replace the old Pavilion. The Pavilion was built about 15 years ago. The new building plans are currently with the planning authority for review. We anticipate that the development/building process should start this year.
Currently the developer is installing a pedestrian access from Station Road to the rear of the school providing additional access. The Parish Council has arranged with Mount Pleasant Golf club to allow parents to a limited section of their parking facilities for early morning and afternoon collections from the school. We will confirm the final arrangement with Golf Club, once these works have been completed.
The proposed new Community Hall will be a multifunctional space and provide for a broad range of activities both internal and external. It will include new improved changing facilities for the football pitch.
We will work with the Village Hall Committee as part of the process and others, as needed. The Village Hall Committee will deal with the day-to-day management of the hall. The Parish Council will support them.
The current Village Hall or ‘old hall’ has no specific plans at this moment in time. The Council have had meetings with Stompers in the past. We are meeting with CBC and Stompers to review their use and if they could benefit from a dedicated space and potentially almost exclusive use of the old hall. This should allow Stompers to offer a wider range of Pre-school services. As an Early Years setting, Stompers should have access to funds held by CBC to help make improvements to the ‘old hall’.
Arrangements for use of the ‘old hall’ need to be fully clarified, once have an alternative space for the community to use is ready. We are looking at the most efficient way to manage this, without burdening the Village Hall Committee with additional work. There are many aspects to be finalised and discussed with all parties.
Green spaces around the village and sports pitches.
Stondon Parish Council (SPC) is committed to the maintenance and improvement (where practical) of open spaces it owns and manages. In some cases, such as play areas, the cost of equipment limits what we can do, unless we can find funding from other sources, such as developers (Section 106), CBC or other funding bodies.
The open spaces (OS) we manage include the following:
- The Pastures (including MUGA and Play area) {also known as “The Recreation Ground”}
- Pollards Way OS and Play area
- Birch Grove OS and Play area
- Lily Walk Play area
- Meadowsweet Play area
- Fakeswell Lane
- BMX Track
As part of the overall planning process we ask Central Beds Council and the developers that once development has been completed, SPC will take on the management any open spaces, including play areas.
The following open spaces are in process at the moment but this involves a protracted legal process to ensure that the areas are fit for purpose and registered in our name.
- Mulberry Homes OS
- Bloor Homes – North of Dog track
- Redrow (Bedford Road – East)
Our overall objective is to improve the open spaces in the village, and take on any open spaces that can offer value to the community. We are in the process of trying to improve open spaces such as Pollards Way with tree management and drainage works. We have also asked one of our councillors to look at all our open spaces to ensure we are providing services to all facets of our residents and to identify where we may need to improve facilities.
The football pitch at The Pastures has been inspected by Bedfordshire FA. This highlighted some concerns. From this report we are looking at implementing an improvement program, with, we hope, some funding from the FA or similar bodies.
The Stondon Recreation Association had requested that SPC cut grass and manage their open spaces for them in 2011 and we have worked with them on the Fakeswell Lane Park to trim hedges and associated works.
SPC are now registered as owners of all Open Spaces land, except for Fakeswell Lane which is registered to the Official Custodian for Charities.
When the SRA transferred all their assets to SPC in 2020, this came with the proviso that the open spaces could only be used of their intended purpose, which is to provide a community resource such as play areas, open spaces, BMX or Pump Track and a playing field.
Communication
We have been in discussion with various groups about these projects and looking forward to approval of the plans for the new hall and a schedule of delivery.
We will keep people appraised of the situation as it changes.