Woodlands Community Hall and recreational ground is central to the Headley Down Community. The current play area and open space is over 20 years old and is overdue an upgrade.
The refurbishment will enhance this vital community facility, by offering opportunities for all residences in the community to use the space.
East Hampshire District Council secured a large proportion of funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy (a financial contribution from developers towards upgrading local infrastructure) alongside a contribution from Headley Parish Council and East Hampshire District Council Welfare Fund.
What can you expect to see?
East Hampshire District Council have used data collected in a resident’s survey in 2020 to prioritise the following areas to be developed;
- an upgraded play area with a new accessible surface
- a new and improved multi use games area
- a new outdoor gym
- new football posts
- increased benches and seating areas
Headley Down community will be consulted on the project to ensure the design of the facility is driven by the residents.
Consultation for this project ran from Tuesday 8 August 2023 to Tuesday 19 September 2023.
- Summary of responses (word 31 kb)
Why are we doing this?
Improvements and an upgrade will enhance this vital community facility and give residents and visitors the chance to use and enjoy the area. Improvements will be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of residents, who will be able to make better use of their new outdoor space. This will allow residents to engage in more physical activity, whilst positively impacting their mental wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Here you should find the answers to most of your questions regarding the project.
What will happen to the memorial bench and stone?
In accordance with the wishes of the families, the memorial stone and bench will be moved to allow for this project to go ahead. They will be relocated to a safe, visible location outside Woodlands Hall.
Further information on when this will happen will be made available as the project develops.
Who is the open space targeted towards?
This development will allow a wide range of individuals to engage in the open space.
The play area will provide a place for young children to play and explore, whilst being physically activity.
The multi use games area will allow young people to engage in physical activity in a social way, developing their physical and mental health.
The outdoor gym can be utilised by many different groups and ages.
When will this project be completed?
The project is aiming for completion in Summer 2024.
Will Woodlands play area be more accessible?
We are improving the surface of the play area to be more accessible for push chairs and wheelchairs and will be including more equipment for people with disabilities.
What material will be used in the play park and why?
The refurbishment of Woodlands open space will make the area sustainable for play. Due to this, the material used needs to be durable and long-lasting.
What sports will I be able to play?
The Multi-Use Games Area will allow individuals to play football, basketball, and table tennis to be played.
However, sports such as boules, cricket, golf, badminton, and tennis can’t be accommodated on a permanent basis due to the size and nature of the open space.
These sports may be offered as pop-up events, if there is appropriate demand.
Can there be a skate park?
We understand that many residents have expressed interest in the idea of a skate park or bike track at Woodlands.
Unfortunately, this is not possible to accommodate due to the size and nature of the open space. However, the multi-use games area will provide an accessible and inclusive way for young people to participate in a variety of different sports.
How will you make sure the area is safe?
The safety of all those who use the open space is of utmost important to us.
The open space is overlooked by many houses, which provides a level of natural surveillance. Alongside this, Woodlands Hall has CCTV cameras which are used to keep an eye on the open space – particularly the multi use games area and the teen shelter
What equipment can/cannot be at Woodlands?
Due to the nature of the ground at Woodlands, there are certain pieces play equipment that won’t be able to be in the park.
These include sunken trampolines, sunken roundabouts, zip wires, and sandpits. However, you can expect to see more inclusive equipment, swings, and slides, amongst other new equipment.
How will the open space be maintained?
Maintaining the open space at Woodlands is important to everyone. The property team at EHDC regularly monitor the site to ensure it is safe for use. If you notice any damage/vandalism, needles/broken glass or the play area needs cleaning, report this to us to us as soon as possible.
Any vandalism, or anti-social behaviour in any of the play areas is a matter for the police and depending on the severity you should either dial 101 or 999 if the issue is severe.
What is happening to Eddie the Truck?
We have looked at all the opportunities available to keep Eddie in the play park, however due to health and safety, we will be looking to replace Eddie the truck with a new truck that will be inclusive and accessible. If you have any concerns about this, please get in contact.
Who is the open space targeted towards?
This development will allow a wide range of individuals to engage in the open space.
The play area will provide a place for young children to play and explore, whilst being physically activity.
The multi-use games area will allow young people to engage in physical activity in a social way, developing their physical and mental health.
The outdoor gym can be utilised by many different groups and ages.
Alongside from the new equipment, the open space remains an area for all residents to access – whether that is through walking their dogs, enjoying the seating area or just taking in the natural environment.