This report provides an update for the Trustees on the programme of works to implement the approved Landscape Master plan.

The Assistant Director of Culture submitted a report updating the Trustees on the programme of works to implement the approved Landscape Master plan for Mapledurham Playing Fields.  A plan summarising the progress to date was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that completed works included the new 600 m² children’s play area, which had successfully opened for the October half term holidays and had been a popular improvement.  Breedon gravel footpaths on the west and south sides of the fields had been completed as well as the perimeter wood post and rail fence along the Hewett Avenue boundary connecting the gravel footpaths.  A temporary stone path had also been installed to connect the breedon pathway to the new children’s play area. 

The sports pitch regrading and drainage works had started as planned, with the aim to re-provide improved sports pitches by the start of the 2020 football season.  However, exceptionally wet weather conditions had been experienced since late September 2019 through into January 2020, and periodic rain was preventing the ground becoming able to bear the weight of machinery for laying drains.  This delay to drain laying would mean grass seed being sown in late spring and therefore an increased risk of pitches not being ready for September 2020.  Commencement of use of this area for formal sports would be determined by the external sports consultant and officers would meet with Caversham Trent FC to produce contingency plans, and alternate sports pitches at Christchurch Meadows would be kept available until the area was ready to use.

The report noted that woodchip had been laid on areas of the informal paths around the heras fencing surrounding the Agripower works that had become very muddy, with the area to the west of the fenced area and through the wood still to be completed.  Mud around the play area had necessitated a temporary stone chip path.  A request had been made to the highways team to improve pedestrian access with a tarmac surface from the highway across the grass verge to two of the Hewett Avenue breedon gravel path entrances.  Planting of the new avenue of trees had been planned for December 2019 but the location of the avenue overlapped the work area of Agripower, so to prevent risk of damage to the trees planting had been delayed until the following winter.  It was planned to install the new central breedon gravel footpath and trim trail in early summer once the Agripower works were complete.  The report also gave an update on drainage ditches and the car park.

Resolved –

          That the works to implement the landscape plan be noted.