The Parish Council would like to provide residents with an update on the Sports & Community Project.
We are pleased to announce that we have recruited a dedicated Project Manager to work exclusively on the new Sports & Community Project. They bring extensive experience in delivering similar projects and will provide valuable expertise as we continue to develop this important community facility.
Unfortunately, following recent engagement with Thakeham Homes, we have been advised that, due to current resource pressures and commitments across their design and planning teams, they would not be in a position to commence work on the project until late 2027. Additional time would then be required to develop the scheme to the stage of submitting a planning application.
Whilst this news is disappointing, we fully understand the challenges currently facing many industries and appreciate the honesty and professionalism shown by Thakeham Homes in setting out a realistic timetable. We are extremely grateful for the time, support and expertise they have dedicated to the project while working alongside the Parish Council.
Given the importance of delivering this project within a reasonable timeframe, and recognising that the proposed programme is later than both the Parish Council and many residents had hoped for, we have agreed to explore alternative professional partners who may be able to progress the project sooner. We also appreciate Thakeham Homes' willingness to continue offering advice, contacts and support as the project moves forward.
The Parish Council remains fully committed to delivering a new sports and community facility that will benefit residents of all ages. With the support of our newly appointed Project Manager, we will continue to explore opportunities, engage with partners and stakeholders, and secure the professional support needed to move the project forward at the earliest opportunity.
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Thakeham Homes for the considerable guidance, support and expertise they have provided to date. Their constructive approach has helped shape the vision for the facility and has played an important role in reaching this stage of the project.
We understand how important this project is to our community and remain committed to seeing it delivered. We will continue to work hard to progress the project and will keep residents informed as further developments and decisions are made