Councillors to vote on funding for Polegate recreation ground project

On Wednesday (November 18), Wealden District Council is set to vote on whether to approve the allocation of up to £1.2m of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money for a range of improvements at the Brightling Road Recreation Ground.

The CIL money, which comes from charges paid by developers, has been requested by Polegate Town Council and is intended to provide a new BMX track and improved football pitches among other facilities.

The allocation secured the backing of cabinet councillors last month.

Speaking at the time, Kelvin Williams, cabinet member for public health and asset management, said: “The local community in Polegate has actually taken a lot of development over the past … [and] the actual recreation ground is right in the centre of the community, but [also] right next to a lot of large developments that have taken place.

“So in terms of Community Infrastructure Levy, it is essentially to put back in infrastructure to mitigate development.”

He added: “Providing this sort of facilities for young people and for people of all ages, I think is really important. It is about actually showing the council’s commitment and using its CIL in the correct way and using it for the benefit of the local community.”

If the funding allocation is approved by full council, the district council would also be expected to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Polegate Town Council. The town council itself is expected to invest a further £295,000 into the project.

At present, works on the recreation ground would be expected to begin in December and could potentially be completed before Summer next year, the council says.

In a report to cabinet, officers had said the town council’s plans for the recreation ground bring together “multiple long-planned projects into a single, coordinated scheme”.

These projects include: improvements for the site’s existing football pitches and sports courts; new lighting; path widening; a new BMX track; a climbing boulder; and an accessible children’s play space.

Alongside this, the programme would also be expected to see ancillary facilities for catering, changing and toilets, as well as CCTV and a small new car park.

Other plans also include proposals to resurface the recreation ground’s existing beginner skate area and provide a new concrete skate park..

Wealden council officers are recommending the allocation be approved.

In a report to councillors, an officer wrote: “Providing high quality and accessible sports and leisure facilities is vital to the economic prosperity of our district, will strengthen communities and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

“The proposed allocation of CIL receipts held by the Council would support the delivery of improved sports, leisure and community facilities in Polegate.

“This would help address identified infrastructure needs, support positive health and wellbeing outcomes, and secure long-term multi-sport, community-use provision for current and future residents.”

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