Developers’ Contributions fund new cricket practice nets at the Recreation Ground

The Parish Council has completed a project to install new cricket practice nets at the Old Wallingford Way Recreation Ground. The project utilised S106 funding paid by developers to the District Council which had been ear marked to improve sporting facilities in the parish, and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds. (CIL funds are the newer version of S106 funding.)

The work was completed this week and the nets will be opened at the end of September. The delay is to allow the aggregate to settle before people started to walk on the new surfacing. For the initial 3 months the play on the surface will not be perfect as the materials bed in.

The old strips were removed, and the area will be returned to grass. The new location meets with current English Cricket Board guidance on aligning the nets in a north-south position. Sutton Courtenay Parish Council would like to thank Sutton Courtenay Football Club for delaying training and onsite matches at the start of their season whilst the work took place.

We would like to remind visitors to the Recreation Ground that no dogs should be on the main field (including the fenced play area). There is a network of Public Rights of Way around the Recreation Ground. To connect these routes the Parish Council allows dogs on leads in the cemetery, and there is a path on the southern side of the Recreation Ground which is fenced off from the main field.