| SBDC News Release
23 November 2017 |
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| PR 2988
For Immediate Release Public asked for their views on creating a country park in South Bucks District South Bucks District Council is considering the viability of transforming its former golf academy site in Stoke Poges into a country park, open to the public all year and providing wide range of outdoor recreational facilities. It will be seeking the public’s views from 6 December 2017 until 22 January 2018. The vision is for the 20.75 hectares site, which lies between the B416 and Stoke Poges Lane in Stoke Poges, to offer comprehensive, purpose-built cycling facilities, a BMX trail and mountain bike trail, a green gym, landscaped amphitheatre area as well as walking areas and the preservation of a number of the wildlife habitats on the site. There will also be café facilities and a children’s playground. The potential scheme is very much at the conceptual stage at the moment, but the Council is keen to see this site established for outdoor recreational use, and enjoyed by the wider public. The Council is working with epd Parkwood consultants, who have extensive experience in providing park and leisure facilities. Public meetings to show people the outline vision for revitalising this site and to gauge public opinion are being held on: Wednesday 6 December, 2pm -6pm at The Cedar Room, The South Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Stoke Road, SL2 4NL and Thursday 7 December, 2pm – 7pm, at Stoke Poges Village Hall, Rogers Lane, SL2 4LP From 6 December, people can also give their views online via the South Bucks District Council website, where more information can be found – www.southbucks.gov.uk/countrypark or by emailing Thecountrypark [Email address: Thecountrypark #AT# southbucks.gov.uk - replace #AT# with @ ]. The outline concept will be displayed in the Reception area of South Bucks District Council’s offices at Capswood, Denham and at Stoke Poges Parish Council offices, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges SL2 4LP through December after the public meetings until the consultation closes on 22 January 2018. South Bucks District Council Leader, Cllr Nick Naylor, said: “We are really excited about the possibility of this area becoming a country park. We’ve been considering our options for the site since the golf academy closed in 2016 and believe revitalising it as a country park offers the best solution. “The vision is for a place where people can come to relax, exercise, be inspired by watching sports like club cycling; we envisage great walking routes for people, a jogging circuit, an amphitheatre area which schools and local groups could use, as well as imaginative planting and landscaping of the site – in short, something for everyone in a safe and beautiful environment. “If this project does go ahead, it will represent a significant investment for the Council. It is, therefore, imperative that we get the mix of provision right, and that’s what the public consultation is all about. “The open events are one way people can find out about our vision for the site, but there will also be information, and an online consultation, on the South Bucks District Council website. I would urge everyone to give us their views.” John Nuttall, Director of Landscape for epd Parkwood, said: “We are delighted to be working with South Bucks District Council on the design which brings together a variety of threads and themes which, once implemented, will provide a valued new country park for use by the whole local community, all ages and people with diverse interests. This country park will have an extensive network of formal and informal footpaths, bike, jogging and walking routes increasing the amount and variety of wildlife habitats along with a central ‘community’ area with an outdoor amphitheatre. “The design is a ‘landmark’ design in keeping with the nearby Capability Brown designed landscape and creates changes of perspective by the various landforms, woodland planting and seasonal variations throughout the calendar year. All of this will be available year round and a modernised cafe will provide refreshments and a place to sit and engage with not only the park but also other members of the community.”
Next steps: Responses to the consultation will be analysed and taken into consideration for the site’s design, before a planning application is submitted in the Spring. It’s hoped work can start in the autumn and the facilities become available from 2020.
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