Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Heads of Planning Services, Operations, Environmental Management, Legal and Estates seeking approval for the Riverside Park Masterplan.

Approved a master plan for the Riverside Park, Huntingdon as the basis for further discussion and consultation and requested a further report on the outcome of the consultation exercise to include information on the possibility of external funding for the scheme.

Further to Minute No. 04/81, the Cabinet considered a joint report by the Heads of Planning Services, of Operations, of Environmental Management and of Legal & Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining a scheme to enhance the Riverside Park, Huntingdon.

Executive Councillors were advised that this entailed a series of improvements to the park including new planting, footpaths and cycleways, additional recreational areas, new hard surfacing, moorings and signage.  In discussing the overall cost of the proposals, it was suggested that investigations should be undertaken into the possibility of external funding for the scheme.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the master plan for the Riverside Park, Huntingdon be approved as a basis for further discussion and consultation; and

(b)  that the ensuing report on the outcome of the consultation exercise include information on the inquiries into external funding sources.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services outlining the draft proposals for Riverside Park, Huntingdon.

(Councillor P L E Bucknell, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport was in attendance for this Item).

Following an introduction by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport, consideration was given to a report by the Heads of Planning Services, Operations, Environmental Management, Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft Management Plan for Huntingdon Riverside Park - Eastern End.

The Development Plans and Implementation Manager informed the Panel of the three key areas proposed for improvement within the park to take advantage of its location and encourage visitors to Huntingdon.

In view of previous public concern regarding changes to the football pitches at the park which it was now proposed to replace with two mini-soccer pitches, the Panel was assured that research had indicated that there was sufficient capacity elsewhere in Huntingdon for full size pitches and that the demand for informal games could be met by the smaller pitches.  However, Members suggested that the current proposal for tree planting to separate the two pitches be withdrawn so that, if the need were to arise, a larger pitch could be reinstated.

In answer to further questions, the Head of Planning Services advised that part of the funding for the project was included in the current Medium Term Plan and that the purpose of the management plan was to provide a more co-ordinated approach to a number of changes that would affect the park in the coming years such as the guided bus project.

Having been informed that the proposals would be the subject of a wide ranging consultation exercise with residents and other users, the Panel endorsed the report for submission to Cabinet for approval.