Residents to have their say £120,000 plans to transform Stanpit Rec in Christchurch

1:00pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in Latest By Katie Clark

TRANSFORMATION: Stanpit Recreation Ground in Christchurch TRANSFORMATION: Stanpit Recreation Ground in Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH residents will soon be able to have their say on ambitious plans to transform and revitalise a popular recreation ground.

Draft plans for Stanpit Rec in Christchurch detail improvements to the popular piece of land, once a landfill tip before it was capped and seeded in the last century.

Community events including the Rotary Bonfire and Lions Club car boot sales take place regularly on the land, a popular site for dog walkers and local residents.

And now, thanks to £120,000 worth of outside funding, proposals have been drawn up to enhance the area and will be sent out to public consultation.

A landscape architect has proposed a scheme including a more welcoming and improved public open space and more facilities including picnic areas, seats, natural play and a low key dog agility area.

There could also be a slightly larger car park and facilities for cyclists, new information signs, improved wildlife corridors and opportunities for art.

Senior countryside officer Peter Holloway, who presented the report to councillors on the community services committee, told members the funding allowed the council to “carefully plan and improve for all uses and make it more attractive for dog walkers.”

Ward councillor and leader of Christchurch council, Ray Nottage said: “This will raise the bar of attraction for the area.

“It is the entrance of one of the jewels in Christchurch.

“The ward councillors have been looking at this for a long time.

“We are delighted that we have got as far as we have and this is a real improvement as far as I am concerned.”

Cllr Claire Bath said: “I think it is a great scheme and will be of great benefit to all of our community.

“A lot of people from other wards visit there so it will be appreciated by all.

“Sitting on planning it is nice to see the heathland mitigation fund coming to our area.”

The public consultation will take place from Monday March 11 for 12 weeks.

Go to dorsetforyou.com/stanpitrec or the consultation is available at the Civic Offices, Steamer Point and Stanpit Marsh Information Centres, Christchurch and Highcliffe Libraries and the Christchurch Information Centre.

Comments(22)

Turtlebay says...
2:12pm Sun 10 Mar 13

low key dog agility area.

Prejudice against tall dogs!

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IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
3:22pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Car parking will be free of course?

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twynham says...
3:28pm Sun 10 Mar 13

"Ward Councillor and leader of Christchurch council, Ray Nottage said .... it is one of the jewels in Christchurch."
.
Leave it alone then.

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mmmmmmm says...
4:26pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Maybe a few no cycling signs.

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Elftick says...
4:46pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Why is there any need to 'transform and revitalise' an already popular recreation ground? Leave it be, and put the money to better use elsewhere.

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Holes Bay Curve says...
5:09pm Sun 10 Mar 13

'Rec' sounds so uninspiring.........
.

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dobrojoe says...
6:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

We are very lucky to have the Marsh and Recreation Ground. There's not much wrong with it as it is but the car park could be enlarged a bit as it is often full and there is little street parking nearby.

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madras says...
6:59pm Sun 10 Mar 13

a decent play area for older children - like opposite The Globe in Highcliffe

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mytown1 says...
8:02pm Sun 10 Mar 13

When the public make their comments make sure you say you do not want parking fees introduced.! My conversations over the proposals have been that it "cannot be ruled out" This is open space, for all to use including people who do not have dogs! So any decisions made should be for all the community and not just a few. But knowing we have a public consultation on this makes all the difference!

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MngsMnr says...
8:21pm Sun 10 Mar 13

I've read the proposals to attract people and wildlife. The marsh area already attracts wildlife which in turn has led to restrictions on walking dogs off lead. Attracting more people with picnic areas and natural play areas will ultimately lead to litter because that's what people do nowadays. Before we know it there'll be restrictions on walking dogs off lead because the picnickers will be moaning that the dogs are after their food. Before we know it the council will invoke their new dog control orders.
Peter Holloway thinks dogs should be kept on leads at all times, so we know where he's heading in his comment “carefully plan and improve for all uses and make it more attractive for dog walkers.” What a load of baloney - dog walkers are quite happy with it as it is. Leave it be!
They're also considering a low-key business concession selling tea/ice cream. As I said - People = Litter. Say NO to Litter.

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elaine191261 says...
10:36pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Leave it be !!!! council wasting money again ,yes you can be reassured that if car parking made larger there will be charges ,when think about it , It is the only place where you and families can walk around for free. Leave it Alone PLEASE !!!!!

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Yankee1 says...
10:59pm Sun 10 Mar 13

There is only on 'jewel' in Christchurch aka 'God's Waiting Room'.

The Priory.

It even boasts the cheapest parking in town.

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Yankee1 says...
11:00pm Sun 10 Mar 13

There is only on 'jewel' in Christchurch aka 'God's Waiting Room'.

The Priory.

It even boasts the cheapest parking in town.

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portia6 says...
1:00am Mon 11 Mar 13

I saw a few monks there the other
day praying for peace!

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Phixer says...
6:43am Mon 11 Mar 13

Leave it alone. I don't see a need to spend my tax payments on any 'improvements'.

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skydriver says...
7:39am Mon 11 Mar 13

Elftick wrote:
Why is there any need to 'transform and revitalise' an already popular recreation ground? Leave it be, and put the money to better use elsewhere.
The only thing that needs revitalising is Cllr Nottage. When I see this man in the news I wonder what other daft idea he comes up with next.
For goodness sake can't he get the message , quit, leave, go, buzz off, we the folk of Christchurch think you are a total pain,.and should terminate your position before you do more damage and upset even more of us.

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The Witch says...
9:06am Mon 11 Mar 13

If they make any changes it will completely spoil a wonderful haven of peace and tranqulity, it is one place that most holiday makers know nothing about so the locals can enjoy it, without hordes of holiday makers desending on it and leaving their litter around as happens on the beaches and approches to the beaches. LEAVE WELL ALONE.

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fedupwithjobsworths says...
1:09pm Mon 11 Mar 13

“Sitting on planning it is nice to see the heathland mitigation fund coming to our area.” ........ should't this money be spent on restoring heathland?

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scrumpyjack says...
1:42pm Mon 11 Mar 13

It is a lovely area, one of the nicest around.

But it is just 'space' at the moment and is, primarily, used by dog walkers and as such it does seem a little bit of a waste of space (so to speak).

If they have funding available to make it more useable then I feel it COULD be a good thing.

Turning it into a play park would not, in my opinion, be a good thing. It generally attracts the wrong type of 'playing' after dark.

But a picnic area might be nice. (and yes one with lots of big bins)

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allmy life says...
4:01pm Mon 11 Mar 13

It was not a landfill site, that was where the golf course is. There are already cycle paths so this just leaves making the car park bigger and the installation of parking meters.

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MngsMnr says...
11:24pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Providing bins for litter makes no difference, take a look at the skate park arena. Monkeys wouldn't make as much mess!
I begrudge some of my council tax having to go towards someone having to clear up after thoughtless kids.
How schools have the cheek to put up signs "No dogs, consider our children's health". Perhaps it's time their children considered the well-being of other members of society.

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uberbloke says...
1:21pm Tue 12 Mar 13

What a great idea, my council tax wont be paying for it ('cos I actually RTFA) and the space is big enough to accommodate a play area and a picnic area and all the other stuff ...

Living really near it it would be great to see it better used

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