Plans agreed for new table tennis table at south Essex park

Matthew Critchell
·2-min read
John Burrows Recreation Ground in Hadleigh
-Credit: (Image: Essex Live)


A new outdoor table tennis table and a new pétanque court will be brought to a south Essex park after councillors have backed plans by a community group in the town. The new leisure facilities will be added to the John Burrows Recreation Ground in Hadleigh after Castle Point Council’s development management committee agreed the plans by Hadleigh Community Group at a meeting on August 6.

Stephen Garner, assistant director of development services at Castle Point Council, outlined the plans to the committee at the meeting. He explained the plans had gone to the committee as the area proposed is owned by the council. Speaking at the meeting he said: “Officers consider it if approved would be a positive addition to the facilities at the John Burrows Recreation Ground for residents.”

Rob Lillis, People’s Independent Party councillor for St Mary’s, told the meeting: “I think everyone knows I like a good news story and I think this is. I will be very much supporting the application and I would like to publicly thank the Hadleigh Community Group for the good work that they do.”

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The petanque court is set to be located to the northwest of Solbys House, on the site of the former John Burrows Hall and the surface of this court is set to be made of varying grades of material, which allows water to pass through.

the applicant has said the new leisure facilities are not set to be fenced off, they would be open and free to use, but there would be no equipment hire facilities. The pétanque court is aimed more towards senior citizens and those with limited mobility. Therefore, an easily accessible location has been chosen, as stated in the officer's report.

The committee unanimously agreed to the plans for the town’s recreational ground.

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