Mumbles Community Association (MCA) are delighted to announce that planning approval has been secured from Swansea Council for the development of new facilities at Underhill Park.
The planning application, which was submitted in July, covers Phase 1 of the development and includes replacing the existing run down changing rooms with modern changing facilities, creating a dedicated community space with a café and new public toilets, plus the development of a new All Weather Pitch with floodlighting.
Formal approval for the plans was given by Swansea Council on 15 November.
Chair of MCA Trustees, Simon Tse, said:
“Obtaining Planning Permission for Phase 1 of the project is a significant step forward for Go Underhill. It is the last piece of the jigsaw we’ve needed to complete in order to secure the future of Underhill Park for the community of Mumbles and the surrounding areas, as well as the many visitors.”
“I would like to thank everyone that has helped in getting us to this point.”
A spokesperson for Mumbles Community Council said:
“Mumbles Community Council (MCC) are delighted to hear that MCA have been successful in being granted planning permission in relation to their proposed developments in Underhill Park. MCC are fully committed to ensuring that the people of Mumbles and visitors to the area have access to and can enjoy a high standard of local facilities. To this end MCC look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with MCA to ensure that these plans are delivered in a comprehensive and timely manner and will provide support in whatever way we can.”
With the planning permission in place, the Go Underhill team can move forward with raising funds for the development, confident that we are in a position to deliver real change. The general fundraising will complement the grant bids and funding applications already being made.
Simon Evans, Chairman of Mumbles Rugby Club, said:
“We are delighted to learn that MCA, which the rugby club are part of, have been awarded planning permission for Phase 1 of the Go Underhill project. We are confident that funding will soon be in place which will enable work to start on this much needed facility.”
The Go Underhill plans will benefit those who already use the Park for formal and informal sports activities, families visiting the children’s play area and those simply enjoying a walk in this green heart of Mumbles. The development will also enable new activities to be set up and encourage more people to make use of what will be on offer.
A spokesperson for Friends of Mumbles Parks, who were responsible for the recent upgrade of the Children’s play area, said:
“We are delighted to hear that MCA have been successful with their planning application. As the refurbishment of the playground has demonstrated, Underhill Park is an extremely valued and well-loved community resource. The new playground attracts so many families from all over the area and beyond. It is time for the rest of the park to receive the care and investment it most definitely deserves. MCA has the full support of Friends of Mumbles Parks with their very exciting future plans.”
Michael Parkin, Chairman of Mumbles Rangers Football Club, said:
“Mumbles Rangers Football Club are extremely excited to hear the news that Mumbles Community Association application for Phase 1 of ‘Go Underhill’ has been granted planning permission. It is an exciting time for all the community and extremely important that we will have these facilities for our members and visitors to Underhill Park. It is essential for the football club that the new buildings and the all-weather pitch are built at the same time. The all-weather pitch being available for all the community will in particular help develop our club in so many ways. We now need to actively engage with all to raise funds and build these desperately needed facilities in Underhill Park and look forward to the works commencing.”
Whilst there is already a mechanism in place for people to make donations to ‘Go Underhill’ via the Donate button on the website, MCA Trustees are now working on specific schemes and events which will help raise funds and will be announcing these in early 2020.
Simon Tse continued:
“As we now move into the fundraising activity, I would encourage everyone to show their support, no matter how big or small, and help us reach our financial goal. This will enable us to deliver the scheme that Underhill Park so desperately needs.”
The planning approval includes a number of conditions which will alleviate some of the concerns raised by people during the planning process. Use of the All Weather Pitch will stop and the flood lights will be switched off at 9:00pm, while the Community Facility and café will not be open beyond 11:00pm most nights, 10:30pm on Sundays.
To ensure things run smoothly both during the development phase and once the facilities are operational, MCA is planning to set up a regular communications mechanism with people living close to the Park. Anyone who would like to be added to this network can email MCA on info@go-underhill.com .