Saffron Walden Town Council submit planning proposal for new Community Centre

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Saffron Walden Town Council has filed a planning application for a new multi-function community centre between Catons Lane and Lime Avenue in the north of the town, Residents for Uttlesford (R4U)  is pleased to announce.

Sharon Morris (R4U) Sharon Morris (R4U)

R4U’s Sharon Morris is leading the project and is a councillor at both a Saffron Walden Town Council and Uttlesford District Council. She said “We are very excited to announce our initiative to build a new community centre just off Catons Lane. The south of the town has the well-used Golden Acre Community Centre near to Katherine Semar School, but there is nothing for residents in the north. Work undertaken for the town’s Neighbourhood Plan has shown that this type of facility is badly needed, so we’ve decided to start the planning process right away.”

“It is our intent that the new centre be multi-functional and built to comply with Sport England standards. Next to the centre will be junior and senior sports pitches; in fact work has already started to prepare these for public use well ahead of any community centre. Combined with the new centre this will create a hub that can be used for many different sports as well as for other community activities. And it is a perfect location, near the cricket and football clubs and only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre.”

Cllr Morris continued “The new centre is the latest in a series of infrastructure commitments to our community since taking the reins at Saffron Walden Town Council two years ago. We’ve already refurbished the existing Golden Acre Community Centre, Town Hall, Bridge End Gardens, Jubilee Gardens, and the town’s existing sports pitch at Catons Lane.”

“At this stage our planning application is only for outline permission for the community centre itself, access road and parking. If that is granted, it will then allow us to work with local sports clubs and community groups to come up with detailed proposals, costings and funding options that can deliver something that best fits the needs of the town and its residents.”

The planning application number is 17/1570/OP and details will be available for feedback on the UDC website once it enters the public consultation phase.

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About Residents for Uttlesford

Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is the local independent party of north-west Essex towns and villages. It believes that on local issues residents should decide, not Westminster parties. R4U’s success has been based on the desire to give local people a voice and implement long range strategic and sustainable plans for where they live. It has turned around both councils it has been elected to lead to make them now multi award-winning.

R4U leads Uttlesford District Council (UDC). In its first election in 2015 it became the second party at UDC. In May 2019, it gained majority control of the authority by inflicting the biggest loss of seats on any Conservative controlled council in the UK. In May 2023, R4U retained control of UDC.

R4U also leads Saffron Walden Town Council, where under its stewardship the council since 2015 it has rebuilt finances, invested in community assets, and won multiple awards, including the best run council in Essex.

Residents for Uttlesford can be found on the web at www.residents4u.org.

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