NEW SOCIAL CLUB ……..FAQs…FAQS…FAQS…FAQS
Who are we?
We are all High Royds residents who have volunteered to take the process of getting a new Sports and Social club built following the residents meeting on September 23, 2021.
Three members of the group are:
Andy Wade – I moved onto the site in 2017 to be with my partner. She bought the property in 2007 and was one of the original residents. I’m a civil servant with 30+ years service. I have two daughters, both now at university. You may have seen me around walking our Fox Red Labrador puppy Whisky. Like my fellow board members I am passionate about getting this up and running, we have been let down by the developer in their various identities over the years. I feel there is an obligation to provide High Royds residents with a social hub. I also see the lack of sports facilities for our young people and feel we can make a real community difference.
Russell Olliver – I moved onto the site in July 2020, I have lived in the area for nearly 40 years, so I have known the local area and the High Royds site for some time. I am a retired Chartered Building Surveyor, and prior to retirement I worked for a large PLC in the hospitality sector as a regional property manager. I believe High Royds would greatly benefit from a community / social hub, and this is our last chance to make sure the developer keeps to their commitment for replacing the old Sports & Social Club.
Jon Cassere – I moved onto the site in August, 2021, with my wife and two teenage boys, from Baildon. I worked in delivery for a number of financial and IT clients. When I came along to the meeting on the 23rd I really went just to see what was going on and I wasn’t really thinking that I’d get involved. But, after hearing the team talk, I felt happy to lend a hand. I’m ever the pragmatist so the building must be financially secure and for the good of the residents. Throughout the pandemic we have seen the importance of community, therefore the building of a focal point for us all to use will, I hope, bring some much-needed cheer and a space where we can all come together for events.
Details of other members will be added soon.
Why are we doing this?
We are very passionate members of the High Royds community, and want to give some of our time to help get the High Royds Sports & Social Club facilities built and in place for us all. In our opinion this is the last chance to hold the developer to their obligations before they leave the site for good.
Are you the same group that used to run the Sports and Social Club?
No, we are volunteers who said we would be willing to help following the recent meeting for all residents on the 23rd September 2021. None of us have held positions on any of the High Royds groups previously. We always welcome new members and contributors if you’re interested!
Do you work for Trinity / Avant?
No and we have no relationship in any form with Trinity/Avant or any 3rd parties associated to the estate nor is this a paid position or will there be any personal gain from this – other than improving our services and facilities for all.
We are all residents of High Royds, passionate about improving the services and facilities of the estate for all residents, and don’t have any connection to either Trinity or Avant.
Where will the new Sports and Social Club be built?
Between the football and cricket pitches. The existing cricket pavilion needs to be pulled down due to the very poor state it is in.
Hold on, can we not build it and reduce my wider estate charge etc?
No. The charges associated to the wider estate and maintenance fees are completely separate to this work and whether the building is completed or not it will not increase or decrease the bills.
Who is going to pay for the construction?
The cost of construction, materials and getting the building up to standard (drainage, electricity etc) is borne by Avant. This is a structure that they are contractually obliged to make the best efforts to build. If the building is not built the money goes back to Avant, it can’t be repurposed in any other way for the greater good of the residents.
Who is going to pay for its upkeep and its maintenance going forward ?
The fixtures and fittings and the building’s ongoing upkeep should come from users of the building. The likely users will be the residents and the sports clubs associated with the grounds (Cricket/Football / Tennis). At a point where we have a building in place, and facilities we can all use, we may propose a membership or subscription option, but there are no plans as yet, and we’re very conscious of the recent invoices everyone will have received from Trinity. Any membership or subscription would be for people to opt-in and would not be enforced through the bills from Trinity/Avant
Can I see plans for it?
Negotiations over the building are ongoing, once there are plans in place we will publish them on this website for all residents to see.
Why do we want to do this?
In the past High Royds had a thriving Sports and Social Club and we want to ensure the continuation of this legacy and to make it available to you and your families.
What happens if we do nothing?
If we do not take this forward the lease of the land will remain with Avant and be out of control of the residents. The chance to get Avant to honour their obligation to build a new Sports and Social club will be lost.
What happens next?
A meeting has been planned with Dean Cutts (Technical Director, Avant) to lay out our minimum building requirements. This will be followed by meetings with councillors to discuss potential public funding and thereon the development of a business case for the running of the property.
Will this impact the value of my property?
It’s impossible to say exactly, but it feels that there are simply not enough facilities nearby for an estate and community of our size – which is why we’re so passionate about building and setting it up. We’d like to think it will make the estate more attractive, which you’d hope would have a positive effect in the long term.
Won’t this attract more people and make it really busy all the time?
We’re very conscious that High Royds gets very busy over holidays and weekends, and that this may attract more visitors. However, our intent is to ensure that we make best use of the space we’ll have in order to provide better facilities and parking, so really hope to reduce the inconvenience for residents rather than increasing it. Ultimately, though, if we do have visitors making use of the new facilities then it will contribute to its upkeep and development, which will make it more cost effective for all of us.
Is this all about football? I don’t even like football!
No, far from it, our main focus is a facility mainly for the use of residents in whatever way they would like. However, we do have football pitches that were used extensively historically, and both cricket and tennis facilities too – our hope is to increase use of all of these. We’re conscious that there are a number of local youth football teams that have no nearby facilities (and we’re sure many of you have this challenge with your own children). Any use of the football or cricket pitches would only be in daylight hours.
What else will it be used for?
Our hope is that it can be used by residents for any number of purposes – from a cafe / bar throughout the week, to hosting other sports / social services (such as Yoga, Pilates, Crafting – get involved and help us outline some good uses!), and also be used by residents for social events such as birthday parties and family celebrations.
I’d like to help, but I haven’t got time to attend loads of meetings!
That’s fine. This is all voluntary, and every little helps. If you’d like to support, please get in touch.
When are the next meetings to discuss this and get involved?
Our next meeting to discuss the project will be in the New Year and we will publish details once they are finalised. We have been meeting at The Fox and the irony is not lost on us that we need to use facilities away from High Royds.
High Royds Residents' Association 
Hi – i have been playing tennis on the 2 courts near the entrance to the estate but am not a resident. There are not notices saying this is not allowed but i wanted to check so as not to incur confrontation with residents
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