Park revamp bid looks set for approval
UPGRADE IS PART OF A WIDER ‘MASTERPLAN’ FOR THE AREA
A COUNCIL’S plan to redevelop a sloping, waterlogged recreation ground with new modern facilities is set to be approved.
South Derbyshire District Council’s redevelopment plan for the Oversetts Road recreation ground, between Newhall and Swadlincote, is set to get the go-ahead at a meeting on Tuesday, April 30.
Councillors will make the final decision on the plans, with the scheme to include two new changing rooms, a multi-use games area, new footpaths, a football pitch and parking spaces, along with lockable gates.
District council officers have recommended that the authority’s plans be approved by councillors, writing: “The improvements are not considered to result in either an adverse impact upon amenity of surrounding residents or to result in harm to any protected species or their habitats.
“The improvements do provide more suitable pathways and vehicular and pedestrian accesses that enhance the permeability of the site, having the potential to encourage wider use.
“The proposed improvements will serve not only new residents of Cadley Hill Park, but also by virtue of the location of the park and improved accesses, represent a betterment of the existing provision for existing residents and users.
“The achievement of these improvements without economic, social or environmental harms is considered to provide a clear justification for approval of the application.”
A shipping container which had been used as changing rooms and toilets has been removed in preparation for the scheme, which has formed part of the overall former Cadley Park colliery masterplan for years.
However, one heavily graffitied shipping container continues to remain on the site, along with piping and rubble from its fellow removed container.
Oversetts Rec is bordered by houses to the north, the Avant Homes construction compound to the east, the Cadley Park housing estate which will total 400 houses to the south, Fairmeadows Primary School to the northwest, and fields to the west which are earmarked for 150 further homes.
Designs for the planned changing rooms show metal shipping container style units, with each containing two toilets and showers, with one to also contain equipment storage and the other to contain a changing room for officials with a separate toilet and shower.
The outdoor gym area would include 11 pieces of equipment, similar to those available in Eureka Park in Swadlincote, all of which make use of the users’ own body weight as opposed to any additional weight.
Equipment provided would include a leg press, pull-up bars, cross trainers, a bike, parallel bars and a chest press.
The multi-use games area would be an all-weather sports pitch with markings for tennis, football and basketball, with three-metre fencing around it, football goals and basketball hoops.
There would be gaps in either side of the football goals for entrance and exit, aimed at “encouraging non-threatening use by all”.
The achievement of these improvements without economic, social or environmental harms provides justification for approval