LOUIE MEMORIAL Playing Fields-Redevelopment

Copsewatch Circular - Questions and Answers
Please click here for the following file. 

Proposed Re-development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields

Inspection of Relevant Documents
Parishioners are advised that the Parish Council has deposited the following documents in relation to the proposed redevelopment of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields and Copse in the Reference Section of Botley Public Library and on the Parish Council Web.

10). ROSPA – Safety Inspection Report - Skatebowl
11). Gravity Engineering Report - Skatebowl click here to view Document.

January 2010 update   

Public Consultation
Results of the Public Consultation are contained in the newsletter - which has also been circulated to all households in the Parish.

Please click here to see the newsletter

To see some pictures of the Consultation Meeting click here

To see the comments left in the suggestion box click here

History of the Articles and Information Provided to Parishioners

The Consultation Process
The Parish Council understands that that it has been accused of not consulting with local residents who live near the playing fields and copse areas or keeping them informed of what is happening. The Parish Council believes it is unjustified to make such a charge. There has been a considerable number of consultations, meetings, presentations and discussions. Please see the following list: -
Advertised Consultation Meetings, Presentations or Web Information for Parishioners 

  1. September 2004 – An initial questionnaire to all households in the parish seeking ideas and expectations for improvements to parish life, services, sports and leisure and other topics. Initial ideas for improvements came from the replies.
  2. Saturday 9th December 2006 - Public consultation ‘drop in’ held at the Seacourt between 9.30am –12.30pm. Plans on display, parishioners encouraged to comment on plans and express support or otherwise. Unfortunately, not the ideal weather but 89 people of all ages attended, with 32 completing the further survey questionnaires, resulting in:
     i).  Those people that did attend were enthusiastic about the need to improve play and recreational facilities.  No parishioners were against the proposals to improve the play and recreational facilities, although a small number of residents (4) living in Cedar Road with properties bordering the playing fields, were opposed to major changes in the ’Lower’ playing field, including the proposed opening of the copse area as they believed it would attract more people to the area, which might result in anti-social behaviour. Two of these residents subsequently wrote to the Parish Council with a series of their own proposals, which were considered by the Playing Fields Sub-Committee and acted upon, where deemed practical.
    ii). 95.5% of people attending either fully supported the proposals or supported them with minor individual changes, which the Parish Council took on board where it was practical to do so, or for future revisions of the draft development plan. The Parish Council was complimented on the proposals to make the copse safer and more accessible to a wider range of parishioners.  A prefect representative from Matthew Arnold School attended and expressed the school children's support for the proposals.
  3. September 2007 – Public Notices displayed to invite the parishioners to view and comments on updated drafts plans for the playing field and copse areas at the NH Horticultural Societies Fete in Hinksey Village.  Local people express interest in future volunteer work in the copse and further comments received.  900 people at the fete.
  4. September 2007 – Progress report put on web-site concerning the re-development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields site. 
  5.  March 2008 - Annual Parish Meeting - Brief verbal update on proposals, progress and funding.
  6. May 2008 – Progress report on new play equipment/photo’s put on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  7. December 2008 - Advertised public consultation exercise at the Seacourt Hall Advice Open Meeting with the TV Police and other agencies. Plans of the proposals for the playing fields and copse on display and councillors answeres questions from those attending. Again from those people who came to view the plans, only positive comments. TV Police representatives supportive of the proposals in the copse and the new play equipment proposals.
  8. January 2009 – Julia Hammett (Oxford Badger Group) addressed the Playing Fields Sub-Committee about proposed works in the copse. Shown plans and has proposed works explained to her. Incorrect assumptions are corrected and she is told of the proposed works and involvement of environmental experts etc.
  9. March 2009 - Annual Parish Meeting - Brief verbal update on proposals, progress and funding.
  10. March 2009 – Details of proposed copse works driven by expert environmental advice (from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers on tree work including advice from Rod d,Ayala on pond work, and advice from Graham Hawker (Ecological Consultant) in his Habitat and Management Report) in the copse put on the Parish Council web-site. Meetings and Information from Local Schools.
  11. April/May/June 2007 - All 3 local schools were consulted on the need for new play equipment, preferred options, unsafe areas within the playing fields, use of the copse area. Schools identified play and recreation equipment requirements and a major concern was unsafe areas within the copse.
  12. December 2008/January 2009 – Matthew Arnold School pupils completed further questionnaires seeking views on new play equipment requirements for older children. The copse is still deemed to be the most recognised unsafe area. Views on vandalism and possible solutions debated.
    Publicised Details of Proposed Works in the Playing Fields and Copse Areas (‘The Sprout’ magazine is delivered to all households within North Hinksey Parish)  
  13. October 2006 – Article in local ‘The Sprout’ magazine inviting all households (parishioners) to come and listen to draft proposals which take into account views previously expressed by parishioners to the council.  Draft plans on display and additional views sought/questions answered. 
  14.  December 2006 – Article in the local ‘The Sprout’ magazine informing all households of the outcome of the October public consultation meeting. Also advises of further public consultation meeting at Seacourt Hall.
  15. September 2007 – Progress report put on web-site concerning the re-development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields site.
  16. October 2007 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine re: an update on play equipment and brief comment about the Parish Council was again pleased by the favourable comments made at the NH fete on the development plans for both fields.
  17. March 2008 and April 2008 – Articles in ‘The Sprout’ magazine covering details in the annual newsletter, reference to overgrown ponds, brief statement that NHPC has met with the Oxford Conservation Volunteers and that they propose to undertaken some specialist improvement works in the copse. 
  18. May 2008 – Progress report on new play equipment/photo’s put on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  19. August 2008 (22nd) - 2/3rds page article in Oxford Mail headed Action Plan to Defeat Vandals, covering the ambitious plans that have been unveiled to improve the playing fields in Botley in an effort to stop vandalism and graffiti in the area by increasing use of the facilities.
  20. September 2008 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine about the new children's play equipment and the 5 planned stages for redeveloping the playing fields/copse.  
  21. October 2008 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine to inform parishioners of the work the Parish Council intend to undertake following residents complaints about the vehicle racing on the lower playing field grassed areas.  Bollards were installed at a cost of £3,716.00
  22. February 2009 – Annual Newsletter refers to the ongoing supervised work in the copse and invites local volunteers to help. 
  23. March 2009 – Details of proposed copse works driven by expert environmental advice (from the Oxford Conservation Volunteers on tree work including advice from Rod d,Ayala on pond work, and advice from Graham Hawker (Ecological Consultant) in his Habitat and Management Report) in the copse put on the Parish Council web-site. 
  24. April 2009 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine giving information of Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV) work in the copse (middle March 2009) and informing people that the latest planned specialist work could be found on the Parish Council’s web-site.
  25. May 2009 – Article in ‘The Sprout’ magazine informing parishioners of the TOE application and the element of the previously reported specialist works the grant would hopefully cover. 
  26. May/June 2009 - Two page insert in 'The Sprout' magazine to all households in the parish following complaints from residents that the petition being raised regarding the copse is based on some inaccurate information. Insert re-iterates the actual proposals, TOE's requirements for grant aid, the need to do improvements works for potential health and safety issues and on environmental specialists advice etc. Open invitation for residents to contact the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairman of the Playing Fields Sub-Committee (telephone numbers and e-mail addresses supplied) to discuss any concerns or for clarification of issues/facts.  
  27. September 2009 - Full page article in 'The Sprout' magazine discussing details and outcomes of the meeting (facilitated by the Parish Council), for residents to discuss their concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the Louie Memorial playing fields with Thames Valley Police. All eligible residents (133) who had signed a petition regarding such behaviour were invited, along with households bordering/close to the playing fields were invited to the meeting (over 400 letters were hand delivered). A total of 33 residents turned up to discuss different issues, including some which related to anti-social behaviour in other parts of the parish.
  28. October 2009 - Full page article in 'The Sprout' magazine headed Improvements to the Louie Memorial Playing Fields and Copse. It contained articles on progress on the 'Multi-Games Area' (MUGA), reference to the 'Fitness Trail, and an article/update on 'Improvements to the 'Copse'.  
  29. November 2009 - An update article in 'The Sprout' magazine on progress regarding the vandalised Skatebowl. 
  30. December 2009 - Notices put up on all Parish Council noticeboards, details deposited in Botley Library and on the Parish Council web-site informing residents that the specialist reports (apart from Gravity Engineering report as it had not been received) were available for public inspection.
  31. January 2010 - Gravity Engineering report received and a copy put in the Botley Public Library and on the Parish Council web-site. 
  32. February 2010 - Notices reminding people of the public consultation meeting date, time, venue, who will be present etc. put up on all Parish Council noticeboards, placed in Botley Public Library and in windows of Seacourt (venue). Details also put on Parish Council web-site. 
  33. February 2010 - Details of public consultation meeting and articles included in Parish Council annual newletter, delivered to every household in the parish early February 2010.

February 2010 Ongoing Update

What Have We Achieved to Date? 

What Improvement Works have been Delivered? 

  1. August 2008 – New children's play equipment. Cost £63,500 
  2. September/October 2008 - Disabled Path to allow access to the new children’s play equipment. Cost £2,400   
  3. November/December 2008 - Bollards around the lower car park area to stop vehicles driving on the playing field grassed areas at a cost of £3,716. 
  4. March 2009 - Specialist tree works in the copse area undertaken by the Oxford Conservation Volunteers and local residents.

See below for a history of the keeping parishioners informed of process to date and providing them with updated information.
May 2009 Update

Playground Finished!
Some Pictures

New play ground equipment New play ground equipment
New play ground equipment New play ground equipment

Progress Report – New Children's Play Equipment - May 2008
The first stage of the redevelopment proposals for the Louie Memorial playing fields project is close to fulfillment thanks to a grant award from the Big Lottery Fund. The money is being used to replaced the existed tired children's equipment in the ‘Lower’ playing field. Playdale will provide and fit the equipment. The anticipated starting date is Monday 2nd June 2008, but depends on the weather. The play equipment to be installed was chosen as the favourite scheme, following the consultation exercise with children from Botley and North Hinksey Primary Schools. It is hoped that the work will be completed within 4/5 weeks and whilst the contractor is working the public will not be allowed on the children’s play area site.
Part of the redevelopment requirements include the need to provide a disabled access, from the ‘Lower’ playing fields car park to the concrete path that leads to the play area. This work required to meet statutory requirements has necessitated the removal of a diseased tree at the Cedar Road end of the car park. The work on the path will follow the installation of the new play equipment and tenders are currently being sought for the work.
The Parish Council would again like to take this opportunity to thank the Big Lottery Fund for awarding the grant aid and the Vale of the White Horse District Council and Play England for their advice and guidance in preparation of the application.
Once additional funds have been identified work will start on the second stage of the planned redevelopment and will involve the installation of new play equipment for older children in the ‘Upper’ playing field and some maintenance work in the ‘Lower’ playing field copse area.

13/05/2008

Louie Memorial Lower Playing Field - Play Equipment - September/October 2007

Progress Report – Re-Development of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields – September/October 2007
To complete the proposals, the Parish Council is heavily dependent on receiving a considerable sum from the proposed developer of the Lime Road housing site. Progress on the developers planning application has been delayed and the Parish Council informed that this is primarily due to a dispute over a parcel of land. The Parish Council understands that progress on the development’s planning application is being made and an outline planning approval for the proposed residential development, open space and means of access was considered by the V.W.H.D.C’s Development control Committee on 24th September 2007. However, it now appears that any contribution from the developer will be considerably short of what will be needed to complete the project as the County Council, the Vale of the White Horse District Council, and other agencies have also put in bids for the available money. Lets hope that the money given to the other Councils and agencies will be used to benefit North Hinksey Parish Council parishioners!
Having said that, the Parish Council has been active in trying to secure other funding to supplement it own contribution to the overall development cost. The Council has applied for a £65,000 grant for replacement children's play equipment from the Big Lottery Fund and should hear whether it has been successful in its bid in December 2006/January 2007. In making the bid the Parish Council had to provide two preferred suppliers of play equipment (with detailed plans) and this was achieved by selecting from quotations and drawings provided by four separate suppliers. All plans/drawings were based on requirements identified in the questionnaires distributed to local nursery/pre-school and primary schools.
Once the Parish Council has been notified of any Section 106 Developers Contributions it will receive, it will then have a better idea of available funding. A word of caution though, the Parish Council now understands that funds will probably only be available on completion of the housing development! The next task will then to divide the overall project into stages, which can then be completed subject to available financing.
Plans of the proposed new play equipment (subject to the successful of the Big Lottery Bid) were on display at the recent North Hinksey Horticultural Societies fete in the gardens of The Fishes public house. Those Councillors present were encouraged by the many positive comments received in relation to the proposed new children's play equipment.
The Parish Council has also approached the Oxford Conservation Volunteers to help create two ponds in the copse area of the ‘Lower’ playing field.

25/9/2007