Decision details

Children's Activity Centre at Prospect Park

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report outlining proposals to extend the recreational facilities at Prospect Park to include educational, chargeable and support activities for young people, children and families and seeking scheme and spend approval for the project.

 

The report explained that the proposals for Prospect Park would provide a unique mix of indoor and outdoor facilities focused at the primary school age range. This would create outdoor attractions, generate commercial revenue for the Reading Play Service and enhance the play-based education offer the service provided for schools and other clients. The proposal would be funded through a mixture of section 106 and CIL funding.  A range of facilities were proposed to complement the broader park facilities such the play area and open space.  These included:

 

·       Skytrail - An indoor adventure low ropes course for children up to 7 years old;

·       Outdoor family mini golf designed to accommodate wheelchair access;

·       A multi-functional space for hire, suitable for parties, meetings and outreach;

·       Space for a commercial café to complement the activities;

·       Outdoor enclosed education zone to support the outreach programmes, features to include archery, portable climbing structure and team building activities.

 

It was proposed to convert redundant garaging into ropes and climbing wall and consolidate offices to provide the café and classroom. Open space to the front of the building would be converted into the family mini golf course and redundant yard space behind the pavilion would accommodate the outdoor activity area.  Plans showing the current layout and proposed layout were attached to the report at Appendix 1.

 

The report noted that the proposals included accessible activities that would cater for a range of physical abilities, and ensure that established support services for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and children could be further developed.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)      That scheme, spend, and consultation approval be agreed for the development of the Children’s Activity Centre at Prospect Park;

 

(2)      That a planning application be submitted for the proposed development of facilities at Prospect Park;

 

(3)      That the Executive Director for Economic Growth and  Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, the Lead Councillor for Children, the Lead Councillor for Corporate and Consumer Services, and the Assistant Directors of Procurement, Legal and Democratic Services, and Property and Asset Management, be authorised to enter into a contract for the works and equipment required for the development of the facilities at Prospect Park within the agreed budget and including the letting of café space to an external operator within the premises;

 

(4)      That the land be advertised as a disposal of open space in accordance with S123 of the Local Govt Act 1972.

Publication date: 08/03/2021

Date of decision: 15/02/2021

Decided at meeting: 15/02/2021 - Policy Committee

Accompanying Documents: