Hatherop Park - consultation on proposed creation of new football pitch

Overview

As part of the Council’s continued commitment to improve our parks and open spaces, we are proposing to create an additional football pitch in Hatherop Park to accommodate and grow girls' football in the borough.

Women's football is a fast-growing sport internationally. We would like to be able to provide sport opportunities for all and we recognise the health benefits sport can bring to individuals and the community.

However, the current football facilities are not sufficient to accommodate additional new teams. The proposed new pitch would allow for additional teams to be developed, as well as protecting existing pitches from overuse, thereby helping to protecting this green flag award-winning park for the future.

As is currently the case, the football clubs would use portable goals to ensure the park is not dominated by football pitches. The pitches are situated as far away from Hatherop Road as possible to minimise any effects on local residents and consideration is given to park users and dog walkers to ensure they are not restricted on entry to the park. An indicative map showing the proposed location of the new pitch can be viewed here.

Football sessions are held on Sunday mornings and only during the football season (August to April). If the proposals are supported, the pitches would be prepared in time for next season 2021/22. Sports clubs would also be encouraged to promote sustainable travel or car shares to and from the park to ease the pressures of parking on adjacent roads.

Have your say

We would like to hear from as many people as possible about this proposal - please give us your views using the online survey below.

Letters have been sent to residents living around the park and posters will also be put up in the area to let people know about this consultation.

If you require a paper copy of the survey, please email consultation@richmond.gov.uk

What happens next

All responses will be carefully considered before a decision is made by the Lead Councillor on whether to go ahead with the creation of a new pitch.