Firstly, apologies for the delay in getting this out, members of the High Royds Hub Team have had time out over the summer.
We had a fantastic response to the online survey about the planned Sports and Social Club. Thank you to all who took the time to complete it. 220 people completed the survey, of which 124 (56%) live on the estate, and 66 (30%) said they are involved in either the cricket club or juniors football clubs or both.
The responses were overwhelmingly positive and showed your incredible support for the project, with nearly 78% saying they’d be likely or very likely to use the Sports and Social club.
Facilities
There was strong support for facilities such as a cafe (76%), community socialising (66.5%) and room hire for private events (58%). Other activities such as wellbeing/exercise, quiz nights and other evening events, a meeting space and children’s parties were all popular potential uses.
Over a quarter of respondents (54) had made use of the Tennis Courts although a number of people were not sure how they were managed and who was allowed to use them. As part of the Hub project, we are looking into ways to better manage the tennis courts to make them more accessible and communicate this via the website and Facebook.
You raised a number of questions and made good suggestions in your response to the survey. We hope the following information is useful.
Your suggested uses for the new building include: Yoga, citizens advice drop in, support groups, BBQ, cafe, dog walking group, walking group, baby group, litter picking, nature walks, gardening groups. We think these are all excellent ideas, the new building is intended as a hub for residents and we hope to see as many different activities based there as possible.
Membership: We intend for the club to be mainly membership driven. However part of the planning requirements is that any new sports and social club should serve the wider community and not only High Royds residents. In addition, the formation of a Community Interest Company requires a community statement which again looks to the wider community.
We know that some of you were members of the old High Royds Social Club. The new club will be an entirely new entity so memberships will not automatically carry over but we look forward to welcoming everyone whether members of the old Social Club or not.
Use of the football pitches: Some people have expressed a wish for the football pitches to be left as they are and pointed out that this is good for nature. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful environment surrounded by fields and woods. The intention since the site was developed was for it to house good quality sport facilities and this was part of the original planning application, it also forms part of the plans and business plan for this venture. We fully appreciate the love for nature and see the eventual redevelopment of the pitches to go side by side with the environment in which they sit.
Concerns over anti-social behaviour: The majority of the planning group is made up of High Royds residents and we share the same concerns, however we feel they can be mitigated by correct management and control of the premises. At this stage what we can say is that any use of the building will be governed by terms and conditions giving clear requirements. Once the building is nearing operation, we will consult further around this issue to ensure we listen fully to concerns and to lay out to you how the building will operate.
Concerns over parking: The new company will take over responsibility for the football pitches, the cricket pitch, the tennis courts and the large car park. It is our intention that this car park should be used by all external visitors to the sports and social club, it is big enough to accommodate everyone. All organised visits whether sporting or venue use will be fully advised that correct use of the car park is part of the terms and conditions.
Use of building by residents/sports teams: This group is set up as a residents’ concern and the aim of the new club is to create a hub for our community. However, the sporting facilities are integral to the planning application and the business plan. Crompark Cricket Club, who have amalgamated with Menston Cricket Club this season, have been residents on the site for many years. Once up and running the management of the new club will operate a calendar of events to accommodate everyone.
Use of the facilities: The building is designed so that the changing rooms and showers can be closed, locked and unavailable when not being used by a sports team. At this stage it is not intended for the showers and changing rooms to be available for general use.
Snooker table: Unfortunately, the new building will not be large enough to accommodate a full-sized snooker table, consideration is being given to a pool table and a final decision will be made once the building is ready for opening.
Links to the previous venture: We must once again state that this group has no links to the previous company/venture set up to try and get a new sports and social club built.
Similar clubs in the area: We are aware that there are a number of other local social clubs. We are preparing a business plan to ensure the new sports and social club can be self-sustaining. What we feel makes us unique is the residents of High Royds and the already established links with Menston Cricket Club with potential to include junior football.
Planning permission
Once planning permission has been agreed and we have a confirmed date for building work to start we will contact those of you who kindly gave us your email addresses to invite you to a meeting where we can discuss next steps and future plans.
Regards – The High Royds Hub Team
High Royds Residents' Association 