Council considers Slade Green community facilities following feedback

15 February 2012

The detail of the new community facilities proposed for Slade Green is being considered following feedback from the community on early outline proposals exhibited before Christmas.

The Council's exhibition was held alongside Redrow Homes' pre-planning application exhibition on their proposals for new homes on the Howbury site, which it bought from the Council last year.

Council officers are looking carefully at the feedback and, as planned, talking further with local groups who may wish to hire the flexible community spaces proposed in the new facility for their activities.

The work is particularly focusing on changing rooms and kitchen facilities to ensure space is used to maximum effect.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration Cllr Linda Bailey said: "We know that there's a lot of good work going on within the Slade Green community in providing activities for both the younger and older generations.

"The Council has set aside a significant amount of money, particularly in the current financial climate, to develop and build the new community facilities, but it is still a limited pot of funds that the team has to work with.

"Council officers are talking and listening to residents and will share any changes they have been able to make in due course. The input of local people has already proved invaluable. We must ensure that we get this right, including producing the most appropriate design solution."

The development includes the provision of extra school places in the area by creating two primary schools from the existing Slade Green Infant and Junior Schools.

It is proposed that the primary school to be created from the Junior School will be run by Haberdashers' Aske's, giving children who attend that school the chance of automatic entry into the Federation's Crayford Academy for their secondary school education.

The Council has committed to having the new community facilities open and in use before the existing Howbury Centre is closed.

Redrow is expected to submit its planning application for the housing development early in 2012.