Town Council Consultations

In August 2024 Council members reviewed the public comments following the consultation on the proposed welfare facilities, local residents also spoke to Cllrs during the meeting. Following this the Council decided that further engagement between NMJFC and residents would allow key questions to be asked and answers with a hope that any concerns would be raised and discussed.

NMTC arranged for a public meeting at Low Leighton Methodist Church on Friday 15 November to facilitate this. NMJFC gave a presentation and responded to the initial consultation queries and the residents who attended asked various questions.

NMTC encourage residents of New Mills to express their thoughts on this proposal by Monday 9 December at 9.00am. Information and feedback from members of the public will reviewed at the Council meeting on the 13 January 2025 and decide if they should approve the project to proceed to the next steps (see below).

In March 2024 New Mills Junior Football Club (NMJFC) presented councillors with a proposal to add permanent welfare facilities at Ollersett Fields. New Mills Town Council (NMTC) voted to run a public consolation to gather the thoughts of residents.

The club feel there is minimal negative impact on green space area on the whole as they have an existing storage container in situ where the planned welfare facilities would be built.

There is a potential to engage with local community groups and schools and for them to potentially use the facility in the day time for a variety of uses. NMJFC 100k investment has already made in the playing field surface to make it usable for all.

There is a need to create a welfare facility to support diversity and growth. NMJFC currently have three all girls teams with potential for another two teams being created in September 2024.As girl's engagement continues to grow having a safe space for welfare facilities will become increasingly important in the next 3 years.

New Mills Town Council has zero liability both financially or contractually should NMJFC fail to meet Football Foundation requirements in any way. Any funding for welfare facilities that the Football foundation offers would be handled by New Mills Juniors only, as all previous pitch grants at Ollersett Playing Fields.

The car park area would be dropped kerbs only, the fencing in the visuals is only for de lineation purposes. NMJFC would also look to provide a camera monitored car park facility to all residents on Watburn Road to make use of, should they want to do so.

NMJFC would want to contribute financially to play equipment areas to further demonstrate their objective of working with the community to make the site a facility for all to be proud of.

To Understand Their Proposal

• Read their Vision Statement
• Look at the images of the proposed structure
• Watch their video

Proposed Project Schedule Next Steps if approved

1. Apply for HPBC planning permission to build the facility.
2. Ask NMTC permission to extend the existing lease with NMTC to 10 years meeting Football Foundation Funding criteria.
3. Apply to the Football Foundation for 75% match funding
4. Begin a fund-raising campaign to raise the remaining 25% of the cost
5. Potentially looking at a start date for building works to begin in June 2025 in the football off season period which is May to September each year.
6. Potential build time of 3-6 months

In an effort for New Mills Town Council business to be conducted in an open and transparent way it wants to share details of the proposal to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide comments to be considered before passing a resolution that would establish the lease to be signed by both parties.

You can view a copy of the proposal on our website, or alternatively paper copies are available to view at the Town Hall and New Mills Library during opening hours. Comments can be made in a variety of ways, which include, contacting your local Cllr directly, commenting on our NMJFC Facebook post, emailing clerk@newmillstowncouncil.gov.uk or in writing to the Town Hall.

This consultation will end on Sunday 30 June 2024 and Cllrs will review, consider and discuss all comments and feedback to help make an informed decision at the Town Council Meeting on Monday 8 July 2024. Remember all of our meetings are public and you are welcome to attend and participate.

New Mills Town Council will share the consultation response and provide information on how it impacted on their final decision on our website and at the Town Hall, notification will be via and social media and notices across the town.