At the previous Hogarth Pavilion Project residents’ meeting, residents who live close to the school voiced their concerns over the impact the developed Pavilion would have once in use. These concerns focussed on a number of specific areas, including:
• Noise levels
• Opening times
• Potential traffic and parking issues
These are concerns that Hogarth School take very seriously and we want to report back to you on some of these points following further consideration.
Noise levels and opening times
These two topics are closely related and are ones which we are all familiar with in our day-to-day lives. Whilst the development of the Pavilion will have an impact on the community, we are confident that this will be a positive one. In response to the concerns expressed previously by the local community, we have acquired planning permission to open the facility through to 9pm on weekdays (Monday to Friday), though we intend many activities to finish much earlier in the evening. The Pavilion will only be open on Saturday during the daytime. There is no proposed late evening use of the Pavilion and we intend to retain opening hours that both meet the community’s needs and create minimal disturbance to local residents. The Pavilion will also not be open on Sundays.
We intend for the Pavilion to be used by the community for activities that bring benefit to local residents, but which do not always result in higher noise levels. Two great examples of this are the adult teaching and the drop-in nurse sessions that we are keen to establish. These activities will not generate any increased noise levels yet the benefits to the local community will be far-reaching. Some residents also raised queries about whether we would be applying for an alcohol license. We can confirm that having alcohol on the premises has never been in our plans and we will not be applying for a license.
The Pavilion will be fully renovated and fully insulated, which should restrict any increase in noise levels. We do of course recognise that on occasion, increased noise levels may result, but this is something we will proactively monitor closely as the Pavilion becomes more established. We are very keen for this project to be embraced by the local residents – not to cause disruption.
Potential traffic and parking issues
We would like to take this opportunity to answer some of the questions raised by local residents about traffic and parking related to use of the Pavilion.
You asked:
What is being done to slow down traffic outside the school?
An update:
• Headteacher, Fiona Johnson, and Cllr Dewinton met with Traffic Officers on-site. Billy and Belinda, a road safety scheme, will be implemented in 2010, adding to the existing signage and crossing on the approach.
• Following discussion, the information has been sent to the School regarding hours, conditions of work, pay and training for School Crossing Patrol Officers and the School will get this out to parents in their Newsletter. If any parent wishes to put themselves forward for this role, outside Hogarth, there is a vacancy – please talk to the School.
You asked:
What can be done about parking on the lay-by?
An update:
Traffic Officers are to arrange enforcement. As Enforcement Officers cover all schools in the area, they cannot be there 24/7. However, they will choose different days in the week to be on-site, warning and ticketing vehicles. Indeed, this exercise has already started ahead of the Pavilion opening and will continue. The Traffic Regulations state that vehicles can set-down and pick up passengers on the lay-by for a maximum of 5 minutes.
You asked:
What can be done if parking is obstructive on a side street?
An update:
The point of contact regarding such problems with the City Council is 0115 9156655, Option 9 – which goes straight to Parking Services. Obviously, in the first instance, an approach to the car driver is the most effective. Where there is obstruction outside of working hours, then the Police are the people to inform. Double-yellow lines are being renovated on Briarwood Avenue.
You asked:
Will there be increased traffic through use of the Pavilion?
An update:
It must be made clear that the use of the Pavilion will be by children who are already at the School and whose parents will be coming to collect them anyway. The use of the Pavilion for an After-School Club will in fact stagger the number of parents coming to collect children at any one time. However, as always, the School will encourage local residents to walk and not drive to collect children.
We are constantly reviewing ways we can improve the safety for the children in and around Hogarth School. The local community is also important to us and we will work with you to discuss and implement any possible improvements. We will continually monitor any queries and issues raised relating to traffic and parking once the Pavilion has been developed and is in use.
What will the Pavilion be used for?
Based on the Hogarth Primary School site and operating as a non-profit organisation, the Hogarth Community Pavilion will ultimately provide a clean, modern, secure and adaptable space, designed to meet the diverse needs of the local community, providing a place for us to meet, relax, learn and have fun together. Transforming a run-down, disused building into a vibrant hub of the community, this project will bring together our community and provide everyone with new experiences, opportunities and friends. The Pavilion benefits from the inclusion of an adaptable inside area comprising of a large hall, a modern kitchen, an attractive decking area outside, ample storage, clean modern facilities, disabled access and a large, versatile playing field for outdoor activities.
What’s there for us?
Local services…On-site nursing…Learning…New skills…Playing…Football… Rugby…Dance…Aerobics…Yoga…. You name it!!
The Pavillion will be available to the community with confirmed uses including:
• An on-site nurse for drop-in-sessions
• Extended School Services to support the forthcoming Government legislation, opening at 8am and closing at 6pm
• Childcare during the school holidays (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
As the Pavilion develops, the number of activities will grow, with clubs run by experienced professionals. Hogarth School already supports the local community through the provision of a wide range of courses and activities, and this will continue to grow.
Here are some examples of the activities the School provides and which will be available through the Pavilion…
Family activities
• Quiz Nights
• Jumble Sales
• After School Games Club
• Family Fun Event
Childrens activities
• Karate
• Film Club for Children
• Tiny Tots Cooking Club
Activities for dads
• Dads’ five week challenge
Parent and child activities
• Getting ready for nursery
• Music Sessions
• Homework Club
• Coffee Morning
• Art Club
Key Stage 1 Kids
• Sprouts Drama Club
Adults
• Stress Management
• British Sign Language
• Level 1 Word Course
• Keeping up with Children in Numeracy
• Keeping up with Children in Literacy
• Beauty Therapy
• Keep Fit
• Coffee Morning
• Beginners in IT
• Being Healthy
• First Aid
• Maths Course
• Holistics
• Yoga
The Hogarth Community Pavilion has a huge range of potential uses, relying only on the support of the community to become a successful, vibrant meeting point offering relaxation, modern facilities and valuable support services to you and your family.
We’d like you to tell us what you would like to use the Pavilion for! So if you have an interest or a great project that you think the local community will love, then please get in touch because we’d love to hear about it. We’re open to your suggestions for how you may want to use the Pavilion. Why not reply to this blog and let us know your thoughts?
And if you are interested in playing a more active role in shaping the future of the Hogarth Community Pavilion, why not become a member of the Pavilion Committee? The Committee will manage the ongoing development of the Pavilion, oversee the resolution of any residents’ concerns (potentially including future uses and opening hours) and forge an invaluable link between the local residents, Pavilion users and Hogarth School – who have appointed a parent-governor as their extended schools representative.
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