Category #East Grinstead   Show all

• Latest plans published and Planning Application submitted

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  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.

• Tennis Court improvements starting soon

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  Mid Sussex District Council has successfully secured funding to upgrade the eastern two tennis courts at Mount Noddy Recreation Ground. Work is due to start on 3 July and should be ready for play by the end of August 2023.

  All works to the courts are being fully funded by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) the rest of the masterplan improvements are funded from elsewhere so are working to a different timetable. To find out more about what is happening to the tennis courts, contact parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk.

  Up to date plans for the rest of the park will be available to see soon

• Improved sight lines

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  During the public engagement which took place in February-March 2023, we heard people’s concerns about anti-social behaviour. The project team have been working hard to try to address these concerns in the short term whilst the masterplan is being developed for longer term benefits.

  One of these short term, quick wins, has been the removal of the boards from around the base of the tennis courts. These wooden boards were in place to be rebound walls if the courts were ever used for football. This meant they blocked views into the tennis courts, across the park and visually cut off the path to the north from the rest of the park. This caused people to feel unsafe.

  The boards were removed in early May to help make the park feel lighter and more welcoming, to improve sight lines and enable passive surveillance. This has been done with the support of Sussex Police.

  Landscape Architects are continuing to develop the plans. What this space to find out when we will be publishing them.

• Sussex Police Partnership working

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  Sussex Police’s local Police Community Support Officer met with a member of the masterplan project team on Monday 17^th April to talk about how the masterplan improvements can help to reduce anti-social behaviour within the park. She has a particular interest in solving the problem of ASB that has been occurring at Mount Noddy.

  MSDC will continue to work closely with the Police as the plans develop.

• Essential tree maintenance works

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  Our contractors will be carrying out essential tree maintenance work at Mount Noddy recreation ground on Tuesday 14 – Friday 17 March and Tuesday 21 – Friday 24 March inclusive. To ensure the safety of the public and our contractors, access along adjacent pathways will be restricted during these works which are expected to take a maximum of four days over each visit for completion.

  This work is part of the regular routine maintenance of the recreation ground and is not part of the masterplan improvement scheme. Any queries should be directed to parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk

• Play Area consultation closed

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  The survey that was seeking views on how you want us to improve the play area and what youth facilities we should provide in Mount Noddy closed at midnight on 8^th March. We had a total of 71 responses, thank you to those people who shared their experiences of, and ideas for the park.

  All the responses have been sent to our Landscape Architects to consider whilst developing the designs for the play area and youth zone.

  The developed plans will be presented back to the public with a further opportunity to comment in a few months’ time. Make sure you subscribe and follow the project to be notified when the plans are ready.

• Ecology survey rescheduled due to snow

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  The site assessment for the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal that was due to take place this week has had to be delayed due to snow. Ecologists visited the park on 8th March to find a carpet of snow preventing them from being able to confidently map the habitats on site. They will now be in the park for one day during the week of 13th March to carry out the survey. There will be no impact on use for regular visitors to the park.

  
  

• Ecological surveys to take place

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  Ecologists will be in the park for one day during the week of 6th March to carry out the site assessment for the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. There will be no impact on use for regular visitors to the park.

  A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal seeks to identify the main habitat types present on site and establish the potential to support protected or notable species. The site visit is part of the appraisal which also involves desk-based research.

  Mid Sussex District Council are working with a Registered Practice of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management who will send one or two ecologists to look for evidence of use by, or features with the potential to support, badger, bats, nesting birds, great crested newt, hazel dormouse, otter, reptiles, and water vole.

  The report they produce will be used by our landscape architects to make sure that any changes we make do not have a negative impact on the site’s wildlife, and ideally will enhance it.

• Play Area consultation launched

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  MSDC Officers were in Mount Noddy Recreation Ground on Wednesday 22^nd February to publicise the launch of the consultation for play and youth facilities. Officers spoke to visitors about how they can share their views and ideas for the play area improvements and what should be included in the youth zone, by filling in the online survey. The survey is open until March 8^th.

  All the feedback collected will be used to help develop the designs for the park to create somewhere that local families really want to visit. The plans will be presented back with a further opportunity to comment in a few months’ time.

  MSDC Officers also spoke to residents about their concerns about the wider park particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and access to the tennis courts. These concerns are being followed up with the relevant teams.