Over Wallop Parish Council has the opportunity to spend a windfall gained from Section 106 money allocated for recreation by Test Valley Borough Council.   Section 106 money is a building developer’s legal contribution towards local amenities that is paid to the borough council on completion of work on a site.  The money is split between road improvements, recreational use and the development of open spaces and is subsequently made available for projects in the parish concerned.   This money is not part of the annual precept.

The Council wishes to use the money to build on the success of the youth sports programme and provide wider sports opportunities for all parishioners.  Working closely with the cricket and football club representatives, the council is investigating the possibility of installing a multi-use games area (MUGA) on the Salisbury Lane playing field.  A MUGA is similar to a large fenced hard tennis court and, because it has an all weather surface, it would accommodate netball, tennis, basketball, five-a-side football and some other sports throughout the year.   This would be especially important for winter training.  The attached photograph shows the intended position of the court at the far end of the field.  

The Parish Council is in the process of obtaining quotes from potential contractors who could install the facility.  Planning permission for the MUGA will be required before any work commences and parishioners will have the right to register comments and objections when the project is submitted for planning approval.

This matter will be an agenda item for the next Parish Council meeting on Monday 8 March, 8.00 p.m. at St Peter’s Church Hall.  All are welcome to attend and express their support or opposition to the proposed project. Lindsay Murray-Twinn (Chairman Over Wallop Parish Council) Cllr John Francis

The Alan Evans Memorial Grounds

I feel it is important to clarify the point over the ownership of the Alan Evans Memorial Grounds raised by a parishioner at the last Parish Council meeting on Monday 8 March 2010. In a Deed of Gift between Henrietta Evans and The Parish Council of Over Wallop [the Local Authority] dated 30 March 1976, it states:

“The Owner is desirous of conveying by way of gift to the Local Authority as a memorial to her brother the Late Alan Newton Aidan Evans the premises hereinafter described for the perpetual use thereof as a Sports and Recreation Ground for the benefit of the inhabitants of Over Wallop and its neighbourhood …”

Under this agreement, the Parish Council is bound to maintain the land as a sports and recreation facility and not to use it for any other purpose.  The only building allowed on this land is a Sports Pavilion.  Trees may be lopped or felled only in the course of good husbandry.  Any felled trees must be replaced by saplings. 

This Deed was signed by Chairman Geoff Shadwell and Vice Chairman Sam Twining on behalf of the Local Authority.

In full accordance with the Deed of Gift, Over Wallop Parish Council pays for the maintenance of the grounds, the upkeep of the pavilion and pays an annual amount for insurance.  No public activities may take place without the full permission of the Parish Council.  If permission is granted, the user of the ground must take out liability insurance and ensure that the grounds are in good order after the event.

Our legal guidance comes from “Local Council Administration” Sixth Edition, Charles Arnold-Baker, Butterworths, 2002 which states in Chap 26, p 202:

“A local council or any other local authority has power to provide inside or outside its area such recreational facilities as it thinks fit.  The enabling legislation is very widely drawn and includes power to provide premises for the use of clubs and societies having athletic social or recreational objects…  It can make the facilities available with or without charge.”

I do hope that I have answered the question over ownership of the land.  It is held and maintained in perpetuity by Over Wallop Parish Council for the benefit and enjoyment of the parishioners.  The relevant documents are in the Hampshire Records Office and are available to all who wish to view them.

 Lindsay Murray-Twinn

Chairman, Over Wallop Parish Council