Council set to invest £375,000 in South Oxhey Playing Fields

Plans for South Oxhey Playing Fields including the refurbishment of existing facilities and potential installation of new activities such as a BMX track.

Three Rivers District Council has recognised that the current facilities are "worn down" and even "unsafe", causing people to stay away.

But with South Oxhey's community growing in size, the council wants to provide the playing fields, by The Pavillion in Green Lane, with a new lease of life.

The basketball courts and skate park are set to be invested in along with the artificial grass pitch, tennis courts, outdoor gym, and paths.

Proposals published on the council's website also suggest a BMX track could be fitted in a bid to provide more variety at the playing fields.

A view of the current facilities. Credit: Google Maps

The report says: "The facilities in South Oxhey Playing Fields are in a state of disrepair. The sport facilities are worn down, old and unsafe to continue running leisure activities on the sites.

"Fencing has multiple holes in, the pitch surface has holes in it and the tennis court surface is crumbling making it a slip hazard.

"Redevelopment would provide a good opportunity for informal and recreational sport for the local community and provide opportunities for recreational programming from the Three Rivers leisure team."

The council intends to consult with the community about its plans for South Oxhey Playing Fields in the coming weeks and months, with a planning application expected from April onwards.

If all goes to plan, work at the playing fields could begin in September this year.

The council would generate income by hiring facilities such as the tennis courts, artificial sports pitch, and outdoor fitness zone to sports clubs and community groups.

The project is set to cost around £375,000 which will be funded by community infrastructure levy (CIL) - the main way in which the council collects contributions from developers for infrastructure provision to support development in the area.

An application for CIL funding has been made by the council's leisure team and deemed suitable by the council's community infrastructure officer and head of planning policy and projects.

The council's policy and resources committee is expected to ratify the request for CIL funding at a meeting on January 24.