Over the past month, we have experienced above average seasonal rainfall. This has resulted in saturated ground conditions, which have slowed progress on site. Despite this, all play equipment has now been installed. The large puddle that had formed in the play area has been cleared, allowing preparation for the new surfacing to begin.

The planned drainage works for the new youth zone could not take place due to the wet ground conditions; however, our contractor was able to install the railings.

Behind the scenes, negotiations have been ongoing with West Sussex County Council to finalise the surfacing of the paths that run through the park. These discussions are focused on ensuring that any disruption to path users is kept to a minimum.

Our contractors recently advised that several trees were planted slightly differently to the original plan due to underground services beneath the grass. One of these trees has been planted within the former footprint of the football pitch.

Providing these new trees remains a priority for us but we also want to meet the needs of our communities. Although a smaller football pitch could be safely accommodated, we understand the Football Club’s need for the original, larger pitch size.

The recent pitch lining has confirmed that we can achieve the full-size layout by relocating one tree. This tree will be carefully lifted and replanted elsewhere within the park, ensuring it continues to contribute to the landscape.

Recent weather has made access to the site difficult without risking damage to the surface, which we want to keep in the best condition possible for future play. As soon as conditions allow, we will carry out the replanting. In the meantime, the temporary pitch markings will naturally fade and will not be repainted until matches are ready to be scheduled.

This approach ensures the park continues to provide high quality sports facilities while also preserving and enhancing the wider green space for all visitors.

Over the past month, work has continued despite periods of snow and ice, the recent water supply issues, and heavy rainfall.

Planting has now been completed around the pavilion and the nursery garden, helping to improve the appearance of these areas and create more welcoming spaces for park users. Coping stones have also been added to the low brick walls, giving them a finished and durable edge.

Behind the scenes, a new underground drainage connection has been installed from the bin store to help protect local groundwater and support a healthier park environment.

Tree planting across the park and in the youth zone is now complete. As these trees mature, they will provide shade and help make the park a more comfortable and enjoyable place to spend time during warmer weather.

As part of the improvement works being undertaken by the Council, on Thursday 22^nd January, students from local Sackville School helped plant over 100 perennials and shrubs with the guidance of experienced horticulturists from our project partner, Blakedown Landscapes. As part of the school’s outdoor learning programme, eight Year 8 students rolled up their sleeves and got their wellies on to plant up two new flower beds to add colour and life near the entrance to the pavilion in the park, part of several additions and changes the Council has planned this year for the public to enjoy. Stay tuned for further updates this spring.

The new path network is now complete, and benches have been installed along the routes so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

When the weather warms up, all paths will receive a Tar and Chip topping to give them a durable and attractive finish.

For extra fun, a new Pétanque area has been installed. Don’t know how to play? Don’t worry, signs giving guidance on how to play will be installed on the seating in this area, so everyone can have a go!

The new youth zone is nearly finished, but due to exceptionally wet weather, our contractor has had to delay the completion of the new surface.

Unfortunately, there has also been a delay in receiving some of the materials needed for the playground refurbishment. As a result, this part of the project is taking longer than we hoped.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while these improvements are completed. Exciting changes are on the way—thank you for bearing with us!

The play area will be closed from Monday 29th September 2025 for approximately five weeks while we carry out improvement works.

When it reopens, families can look forward to:

• New swings
• A toddler-friendly climbing frame and slide
• A taller climbing frame and slide for older children
• Improved surfacing for better accessibility
• More seating for everyone to enjoy

We expect the play area to reopen by the end of October or early November—just in time for some autumn fun!

On Monday 9th June, our contractor, Blakedown Landscapes, will be meeting with a qualified ecologist at Mount Noddy to check for nesting birds and other protected species before work can start. If the ecologist is satisfied that no species will be harmed, then work will begin next week to remove vegetation in preparation for improvement works around the pavilion.

Improvement works will begin across the rest of the park in the following couple of weeks. These works are due to last until October, during this time areas of the green space may need to be closed to public.

Whilst no works are going to be completed within the car park, part of it will be closed for the duration of the build to allow for storage of materials and contractor welfare.

Have a look at the Mount Noddy Park Masterplan – 2024 in the Plans and Documents section, to see what is going on.

Check back here for updates!

We're thrilled to announce that Blakedown Landscapes has been appointed to deliver the upcoming improvements at Mount Noddy! With their extensive experience in delivering high-quality landscape projects, we’re confident the park improvements will make a real difference to the local community.

Blakedown Landscapes has an impressive portfolio, having worked on high-profile projects like RHS Garden Wisley, the Natural History Museum, as well as public parks just like Mount Noddy. Their expertise and dedication ensure that we’re in great hands.

Work is set to begin in 2025, and we can’t wait to see the new enhancements take shape! Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward.

Plans for improvements to Mount Noddy Recreation Ground were approved at District Planning committee on Thursday 15^th August.

The project design team continue to develop the detail designs to be able to appoint a contractor.

Plans showing the design proposals for Mount Noddy are now available to download from the Plans and Documents section of this page. They also form part of the planning application which has been submitted to Mid Sussex District Council – ref DM/24/0115.

The latest plans still reflect the themes that were important to people when the first round of consultation was completed.

The most significant development proposed at the recreation ground, which is a change since the last plans, is the Youth Zone. This facility now takes over the existing upper tennis courts. It aims to provide a modern facility for use by all but specifically aimed at young people who may otherwise feel they are not welcome in parks. The proposal includes a full-sized basketball court with large scale benches separating it from the rest of the space which is less formal. Tree planting softens the space whilst a large multi-person swing, hammocks and table tennis tables offer a variety of ways to hang out in the space. These were popular suggestions in the 2023 public consultation about the space.

The kick boards that used to be around the fence have already been removed to improve sight lines, a wider gap in the fence into the Youth Zone goes even further to make it is less intimidating to enter.

Elsewhere, to make sure visitors can make the most of the whole recreation ground, new paths provide better access to the southeast corner.

It is proposed that a pétanque court and improved external space by the existing pavilion make the centre of the park more of a hub for the community. There is improved outdoor space for the children’s nursery, and more level access to the bowls green.

New seating installed around the path network offers somewhere for park users to sit.

The intention is to improve the surfacing within the play area to make it more accessible, with some new picnic tables and swings making it easier for families to stay for longer.

Tree planting around the recreation ground is an investment for the future, to provide shade for hot days, home for wildlife as well as helping to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

The lower tennis courts have already been improved thanks to funding from the LTA.

If you would like to see the more detailed information included in the planning application, or comment on the planning application, please do so via the online public register - https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/ and enter reference number DM/24/0115.

If you have a general question about the project this can be submitted either using the Ask a Question option on the Hub or by sending an email to parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk

To understand what happens next, please see the Project Lifecycle on this page. The plans have been checked by a professional Quantity Surveyor who has provided a cost estimate for the works which show the design is currently within budget. But it is important to note that these are estimates and that prices could rise when we get quotes from contractors which could mean changes will need to be made.