Plans for new multi-use games area at Lyme Regis playing field

LYME Regis Town Council plans to create a multi-use games area at the Anning Road playing field for a maximum cost of £150,000.

Councillors had set the sum aside in the budget for either a multi-use games area, which the Anning Road playing field considered the most appropriate location for this, or a children’s play area in Lister Gardens.

Discussing the options at last week’s Strategy & Finance Committee, they agreed that the multi-use games area would be their preferred option to pursue.

A multi-use games area – or MUGA as they are commonly abbreviated – is a surfaced area, often fenced off, that can be used for a number of different sporting activities, such as basketball, netball or tennis.

Officers that a MUGA up to the size of 15 metres by 30 metres could be constructed at the southern end of the Candles on the Cobb pavilion on the playing field, where there is already a small surfaced area with a basketball hoop.

This previously was also the site of a teen shelter, which was removed after residents raised complaints over anti-social behaviour and possible drug crime.

The existing football pitch on the playing field would have to be moved to the east or made smaller to accommodate the MUGA.

There were some concerns that the installation of a MUGA would result in similar complaints.

Some councillors questioned whether they should instead remove the BMX track ‘humps’, arguing that they were not often used, and site the MUGA along the southern perimeter of the field.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds argued that the ‘humps’ were regularly used and that children from St Michael’s Primary School had requested they remain in place during a recent consultation exercise about facilities for young people.

The cost of a MUGA of the suggested size is estimated at £40,000. The project would require further expenditure but the £150,000 budget was considered adequate.

Council officers have now been asked to work on detailed proposals for the MUGA. This will include looking into historic covenants on the playing field, which say that children over the age of 15 cannot use the facility.

A public consultation exercise is expected to be held on the design of the MUGA.

Considering the alternative suggestion of a children’s play area in Lister Gardens, several councillors considered this to be an “unsuitable” site for such a facility.

However, Cllr Belinda Bawden said she believed a small play area for pre-school aged children could work, alongside a wildflower garden area, at the former pitch and putt site, which has been out of use for some time.

Councillors agreed that they could look into this suggestion again in the future, but their preferred option for the budgeted £150,000 was for the MUGA.