Mill Lane Playing Fields and Pavilion Upgrade Project

3D View of new Pavilion
Architect’s 3D Render of the new Pavilion

Headley Parish Council has been working on the major project to improve the Margery Wheatley Pavilion and the Mill Lane Playing Fields for some considerable time.  So far we have secured funding totalling £823,000 and have already provided three new Junior football pitches which we hope will be ready for use next season. In addition, the Bowls Club and Tennis Club facilities have been upgraded with help from the clubs.

Much of that funding has come from the levy paid by developers in this and nearby parishes known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements made between developers and local authorities.

We are still progressing the longer-term project of the Pavilion upgrade. The building has had a lot of use since the original construction. It is showing signs of wear and tear, and facilities need to be expanded to cater for current and future use.  It is in need of a total upgrade including:

  • Extending the Main Hall to enable enhanced sporting activities and community usage
  • Additional storage capacity for sports club users
  • Upgrade and extend changing rooms
  • Total upgrade of all the public toilet areas
  • Improved kitchen facilities and upgrade to the bar facilities to better serve sports club and community usage
  • Improvement of water mains and drainage infrastructure to better serve sports pitches and change areas

The project now at the Tendering phase and it is likely to move into construction late in Quarter 1 2025. This construction will be known as Phase I, because there are numerous items that, although desirable to include in the main works, have had to be deferred until we are able to guarantee the funding for their inclusion.

We will continue to apply for grants to cover the full cost of the upgrade. If these are not forthcoming by the time we have to award contracts, we may need to take out a loan from the Public Works Loan Board.

As we make progress with the design and build of these new facilities we will be adding further news items to this website.

The sorry state of the existing changing rooms!

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