St Johns Community Facility - frequently asked questions

Why is a new memorial hall required?

The trustees of the existing memorial hall wish to provide a new facility, as the existing building, which is 69 years old, is dilapidated and becoming very costly to maintain. Furthermore, the existing building does not meet current standards for disabled users.

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Why can't the new hall be built on the existing site?

The existing building is sandwiched between two residential properties and it is felt that re-siting the facility would be of benefit to neighbouring residents. The hall is subject to a noise abatement order which restricts the use of the hall for some activities.

The new facility will include changing accommodation to enable cricket and football to be re-established on the Lye and it makes sense to provide this accommodation next to these outdoor sporting activities under one roof.

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What will happen to the existing site?

The existing memorial hall site will be developed for housing. A scheme has been prepared and a planning application for these houses was submitted at the same time as the planning application for the new memorial hall. The intention is to provide two pairs of semi-detached homes with the design in keeping with houses in the surrounding area.

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What will happen to the monies raised in developing the existing memorial hall site?

The monies raised will be used to help fund the new memorial hall, and as such, will be of benefit to the local community. However, no financial arrangements regarding the sale of the current site or financing of the new hall have been discussed formally or agreed.

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Will the sporting activities alter the village green character of the Lye and make it more like a recreation ground?

The only sporting activities proposed on the open green space next to the car park are cricket (which was a feature of the area for many years) and football for under 10's on two small 7-a-side grass pitches. These small grass pitches are unlikely to be used more than once a week during the football season and, when not in use, the goal posts will be removed. The pitches will be approximately 40 yards by 60 yards and are shown on the layout which accompanies this fact sheet.

At the rear of the Lye behind the existing tree screen, one adult football pitch would be provided for use for 11-a-side matches. Again, football on this area was a feature of the site for a number of years until the old pavilion was burnt down in 2004.

The new pitches will include drainage to improve playing surfaces which will be of benefit not only to those hiring the facilities for sport but also casual users of the Lye including those who want to picnic or just fly a kite.

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Where is the evidence of demand for these sporting facilities?

The Council has carried out a study of outdoor sporting provision across the Borough. This study has been carried out using methods recommended by Sport England and included a survey of existing facilities and levels of use along with projections of future needs based on current population statistics and age profile of sports clubs in Woking.

The study found that there is a shortage of football facilities for both adults and under 16's. The Council is working with schools to make better use of school pitches, but even with this use there will still be a shortage of football pitches now and this will get worse in future. The study also demonstrated that Borough-wide needs for cricket could only be met by making use of existing pitches including that at St John's Lye. Most cricket clubs require a clubroom and refreshment facilities within a changing pavilion and the proposal would meet these needs.

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Why is an extension to the existing car park required?

A traffic study, including a survey of use of the existing car park plus likely levels of use for the new facility, has been undertaken, and the size of the extension to the existing car park is based on the results of this survey.

The site of the car park has been determined following comments made during initial consultations with residents. An earlier scheme showed the car park at the rear of the new building in an area of woodland. Residents were concerned that the hidden nature of the car park could give rise to anti-social behaviour, would be difficult to police and would be unattractive to users of the hall late at night. For this reason, the car park is now shown at the front of the Lye as an extension to the existing car park.

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What about the status of the new site of the memorial hall as common land, within a conservation area, as a site of nature conservation interest and within the green belt?

These issues and the way in which they are addressed in the proposals will need to be considered by the Secretary of State (in respect of the common land issue) and Woking Borough Council as the Planning Authority in reaching their decision on whether to give the scheme planning consent.

On the matter of common land, an application to the Secretary of State will need to be made seeking approval for the use of the land for the purpose of providing the facilities. Approval can be granted in cases where it can be shown either that there is no overall loss of common land or that the proposals increase the use or enjoyment of common land for air and exercise. There will be a period of further public consultation as part of this process.

On the matter of the site being within a Conservation Area, in order to grant approval for the scheme, it must be demonstrated that the proposal enhances and does not adversely affect the appearance of the Conservation Area.

In order to enhance the appearance of the Conservation Area, the scheme is designed to re-create a village green setting. Additional trees will be planted as part of the proposals in keeping with a typical village green, the existing car park will be screened and the existing unattractive public toilets will be removed. Re-establishment of cricket facilities will also enhance the appearance of the site.

In order that the building does not adversely affect the appearance of the Conservation Area, non-reflective construction materials, which are in similar in appearance to those used locally, will be used. The building is designed in a traditional manner with low pitched roofs and is tucked into a corner of the Lye, set against a backdrop of existing mature trees. An artist's impression of the finished building is shown on this website.

The site's status as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance means that the proposal must not adversely affect wildlife habitats. A survey of existing habitats and advice on protecting these has been provided by Surrey Wildlife Trust. This supporting information will be provided as part of the Planning Application along with proposals for enhancing and protecting existing wildlife habitats. These include proposals to mitigate against any adverse impact on protected species.

The issue of the site being within the Green Belt will also be considered by the Planning Authority in making its decision on whether to grant planning consent. The Planning Committee will need to consider whether there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there are exceptional circumstances which support granting consent.

The Planning Committee will also consider the results of the public consultation undertaken prior to submitting the planning application and how any objections or comments regarding the proposals have been addressed.

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What happens next?

Since the first stage of current public consultation which ended on the 19 May 2008, some modifications to the proposals have been made in response to the comments received.

Planning applications for the new memorial hall and the housing development on the existing memorial hall were made on the 1st September 2008. A further period of public consultation will take place during September once the planning applications have been lodged. This consultation process will be managed by Woking Borough Council as the Planning Authority.

It was the original intention to lodge the applications in July or August of 2008 but this date was put back as many people are on holiday in July and August and the Council wished to give as many people as possible the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

The results of the consultation exercises will be considered by the Planning Committee, along with other factors, in reaching a decision on whether or not to grant planning permissions. It is anticipated that the decisions will be made sometime in the autumn of 2008.

A separate application will also be made to the Secretary of State for approval to use Common Land for the purpose of the project. The timescale for consideration by the Secretary of State is not known at this stage but is likely to be six months as a minimum from the date of application. This process will also be the subject of a further public consultation when public representations to the Secretary of State can be made.

Subject to these approvals being granted, the Council will then enter into further discussions with the Memorial Hall Trustees regarding financing of the project. A final decision on whether to support the scheme including consideration of any financial implications for the Council will then need to be made by the Council's Executive Committee.

In the meantime if you require any further information about the project please contact Geoff Ward on 01483 743802 or e mail geoff.ward@woking.gov.uk

Comments on the planning applications should be made in writing and addressed to the Adrian Bishop, Borough Planning Officer, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking GU21 6YL or e mail Adrian.Bishop@woking.gov.uk