The Offords
Community Website
Feb 2009 Edition
Offord PARISH COUNCILS
The final version of this document will be delivered to all residences in The Offords in the near future
Recreation Ground for the Offords
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 Yes, you have seen this before! But only if you have lived here for at least three years. In January 2005 the Parish Councils conducted a comprehensive exercise to obtain views about procuring a basic recreation ground for the community. Unfortunately it did not prove to be possible to make any further headway until now as the situation has changed with the likelihood of a planning application being made by Thornhill Estates in the next few months to include the provision of a recreation ground on the site.
1.2 The Parish Councils of Offord Cluny and Offord D’arcy have been working together for a number of years to acquire a Recreation Ground for the village. Hopefully at last we have an opportunity to provide this facility for the local community and particularly for the children and youth of the village. In previous years strong concern has been voiced at the absence of such facilities locally and its impact on the children and youth of the community. The Councils have been working for some years to progress the only practical site. This is shown on the attached outline plan, and comprises approximately 5 acres of meadow and cultivated land, situated beyond the private road opposite the Horseshoe.
1.3 The plan also shows the Parish Councils' suggested layout for the use of the land, which is a full size football pitch, a hard standing area for sports such as netball and skateboarding, and a large flat mown area. One alternative is 2 mini-pitches instead of a full size football pitch but it has been pointed out that one large pitch can be easily converted into two mini pitches.
1.4 To progress the facility the land would need to be levelled, drained, and reseeded; the existing distant hedge line to be at least partially removed and the whole site properly fenced and gated, and a new hedge and tree line established; road access would be needed leading to a small parking area; a power line needs realigning. We have considered many options for the site but have focussed on basic facilities for the children and youth as our key priority.
2. 2005 SURVEY RESULTS
