The future of Stratford Court - have your say - Mayor on a Bench

Stroud College has now launched its public consultation over its plans for a ?4.4 million Sports Academy on public open space at Stratford Court.

My previous blog outlines the issue in some detail. The college has sent information leaflets to around 5,000 homes within a mile of the site with details of its proposals and how people can make their views known. The proposed facility includes:

• a 600m cross country running circuit
• full size floodlit artificial football pitch
• two football pitches, cricket square and renovated pavilion
• pedestrian crossing
• family picnic area with new fencing and dog walking area
• new 'eco' team pavilion and classroom block

In the leaflet college principal Kevin Hamblin states that the facility will be for the use of both the college and community groups and sports teams. "We want to improve sport and recreation facilities for the benefit of our young people and to provide a resource for the wider Stroud community."

The entire site is owned by Stroud District Council and currently provides two football pitches and a cricket pitch used by Woodchester Cricket Club. Its main use however is as one of the last remaining flat, public open spaces in Stroud. Over many decades the site has become somewhat of a village green for the surrounding community, used for everything from dog walking, picnics and kite flying, to learning to ride bikes, informal sports and relaxation.

The council has asked the college to undertake public consultation over its plans before it considers whether to grant the college a peppercorn lease of the site.

The college is holding two drop-in consultation days at the college site off Stratford Road on Thursday November 8th from 4-7pm and on Saturday November 10th from 10am-1pm.

It has also provided a consultation website here and a facebook page here

A group of local residents have set up a website opposing the plans here

The consultation will run until November 19th. I would urge anyone who has an interest in this part of Stroud, who uses Stratford Court, or who has an interest in education and local sports to make sure your views are submitted.

The level of public support or opposition to this scheme will be a major factor when councillors decide whether to offer a lease of all, or part, of Stratford Court to the College at a future date.

Source: http://mayor-on-a-bench.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-future-of-stratford-court-have-your.html

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