Sports facilities sub-standard for growing population (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Sports facilities in Harwich and Dovercourt sub-standard for growing population

12:00pm Sunday 20th January 2013 in News By Helen Barnett

A MAJOR overhaul of leisure facilities is needed before more housing is built in a town, leaders have claimed.

Harwich Town Council said the sporting facilities in Dovercourt and Harwich are inadequate to support the area’s growing population.

Their comments were part of a response to Tendring Council’s draft Local Plan, which sets out development areas for housing and industry for the next ten years.

Permission has already been given for about 300 houses. The plan outlines areas for 240 more homes in the area.

Land next to and behind Harwich and Parkeston Football Club, next to Mayflower School and east of Pound Hall Farm, would help meet the shortfall. Fields off Ramsey Road and Mayes Lane, both in Ramsey, have also been allocated for housing.

The town council wants development at the football club, school and farm restricted to 20 houses on each site.

The council also wants houses at Harwich and Parkeston Football Club to be restricted to the rear of the site so the club can still use its car park, and wants promises that play areas and a community centre will be built as part of the Pond Hall Farm development.

Tendring Council’s planning officers are currently collating comments from the public and said Harwich’s comments would be considered as part of the process.

READ MORE ABOUT WHAT HARWICH THINKS OF THE LOCAL PLAN IN THIS WEEK'S STANDARD.