Press Release: SPORTS FACILITY PROVIDERS! WHAT DO YOU HAVE, AND WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Published: 16 February 2024

Sevenoaks Town Council is asking local sports facility providers – including local schools and sports groups/organisations, to provide details on their existing use as well as unfulfilled need for their current sports facilities. Answers provided to the SURVEY will be used to inform a second Sevenoaks Town Sports Strategy, including on the recommendations that it makes for improving sports provision in Sevenoaks Town.

The survey has been open since 24th January 2024, however the response rate has been incredibly low. Prospective respondees are reminded that the survey is due to close on 29th February 2024. This is an important opportunity for local schools and sporting groups, organisations and businesses to influence the future of local sports provision in the town and register their group’s need, therefore any provider of even 1 or more sports facilities are urged to complete the survey before the closure date.

For context, the previous Sevenoaks Town Sports Strategy, published in 2015, resulted in over £1.2 million being invested in sports provision in Sevenoaks Town via the below listed projects, as well as a further £3 million on the Bat & Ball Centre which has a MUGA for tennis, netball, 5 aside, and floor based sports such as marshal arts, Zumba and dance.
Greatness Recreation Ground: 3G pitch, new public toilet, outdoor gym facility, planning progression of new pavilion project
The Vine: Disabled ramp for pavilion, resurfacing of cricket outfield, refurbishment of Vine pavilion
Knole Paddock: Improvements to drainage of pitches, decking to STFC clubhouse, new floodlights for rugby training, planning fees for (unsuccessful) 3G pitch, new overflow for car park
Hollybush Recreation Ground: Improved 3G hockey pitch
Free sports: Outdoor gyms, outdoor table tennis, play equipment, skateboard park
Gymnastic facilities improvements
Indoor cricket facilities

Responses received to the above survey will be considered by the Sevenoaks Town Sports Strategy (STSS) Working Group, of which any local sports group, business or organisation – including schools, are welcome to be a part of. Membership remains fluid and open to new members, via Georgie Elliston via planning@sevenoakstown.gov.uk.

This Working Group will review the answers to feed into the second Sports Strategy for Sevenoaks Town.

If you have any queries, please contact

Georgie Elliston
planning@sevenoakstown.gov.uk

15/02/2024