We have just finished a highly enjoyable project for Shinfield Parish Council in Berkshire. Working with the Parish Council and Wokingham Borough Council we completed an open space, sport facilities and playing pitch needs analysis for an area known as the South of the M4 Strategic Development Location. The project involved: –
- Reviewing, in the context of Shinfield parish, a 2012 boroughwide assessment of open space and sports facilities, commissioned by Wokingham Council.
- Ensuring that the audit provided an up-to-date qualitative and quantitative assessment of local demand/need for open space and sports facilities in the Parish and adjoining areas and is comprehensive and objective.
- Providing strategic options for the Parish Council on open space, recreation and sport facilities that can be used in the neighbourhood planning process, involving extensive consultation with the local community.
- Developing guidance to ensure that new development provides appropriate open space and sports provision, either on-site or off-site.
We were then as a further project asked to assess the financial viability of re-opening Ryeish Green Leisure Centre. We were tasked with recommending a mix of facilities to be included in the Centre to improve its financial viability and to improve local sporting opportunities. Our recommendations have been accepted and the scheme has progressed to the next stage.